Manitoba Finance advises the new Fertility Treatment Tax Credit will take effect today to help families dealing with the costs of fertility treatments. The tax credit will cover up to $8,000 or 40 per cent of the total eligible costs for treatment.
When combined with other provincial and federal tax credits related to medical expenses, families could have up to 66 per cent of their fertility treatment expenses reimbursed through the income tax system.
Some guidelines have been clarified as the tax credit takes effect including:
• allowing for claims for the tax credit by either spouse or partner (however, the tax credit cannot be split between spouses or partners);
• recognizing fertility treatments provided by Manitoba licensed medical practitioners and infertility treatment clinics;
• covering medications prescribed in Manitoba for fertility treatments even if not tied to a specific fertility program or service; and · clarifying that reversing procedures such as vasectomies or tubal ligations do not qualify for the credit.
Legislative changes will be introduced which would make these changes retroactive to Oct. 1, 2010. More information is available by contacting the Manitoba Tax Assistance office at 204-948-2115 or toll-free at 1-800-782-0771 or by e-mail at TAO@gov.mb.ca.
