Disability Tax Credit application guide (Form T2201)
Canada-wide step-by-step help for the CRA Disability Tax Credit application, not an eligibility test or approval tool. Use the sections below for Form T2201, practitioner certification, and official filing paths.
What you can do here
Application guide for all of Canada. Explains Form T2201 Part A (applicant) and Part B (medical practitioner), how to apply online or by mail, and links to official CRA pages. The CRA decides every application.
- Follow the step-by-step T2201 application flow
- See which medical practitioners can certify Part B
- Open official CRA DTC application and processing pages
Last reviewed 2026-08-03 · official sources linked on this page
Information verified as of August 3, 2026
Use the sections below for direct answers, or read the simplified overview and jump to the step-by-step application flow.
Disability Tax Credit application: simplified step-by-step guide
If you are searching for how to apply for the Disability Tax Credit, you are not alone. The DTC is a federal non-refundable tax credit for people with a severe and prolonged impairment. Being approved lets you claim the credit on your tax return and can open access to other programs such as RDSP grants and the Canada Disability Benefit. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) decides every application based on Form T2201, not on informal checklists or online quizzes.
The Disability Tax Credit application form is Form T2201, the Disability Tax Credit Certificate. It has two parts that work together. Part A is for you or your legal representative: your name, address, Social Insurance Number, and contact details. Part B is for your medical practitioner: they certify how your impairment affects basic activities of daily living, mental functions, or life-sustaining therapy. You cannot fill out Part B yourself. If Part B is completed by the applicant, the CRA will not process the application.
To apply for the Disability Tax Credit, choose one path and use it for both parts. With the digital path, you start in CRA My Account under Apply for DTC. You receive a single-use reference number valid for up to 12 months. Give that number to your practitioner so they can complete Part B in the CRA digital form for medical practitioners. With the paper path, you and your practitioner each complete the matching paper sections and mail Part A and Part B together.
Since July 14, 2025, new DTC applications must be submitted through the CRA digital DTC form or by mail. You cannot upload Form T2201 through the submit documents feature in CRA My Account. After submission, the CRA reviews your application against its eligibility criteria. They may contact your practitioner for more information. The practitioner has 60 business days to respond. Processing times vary; track status in CRA My Account. When the review is finished, the CRA sends a notice of determination by mail or through My Account.
This page is step-by-step application help in plain language. It covers who may be considered, how to prepare for your medical appointment, common pitfalls, retroactive claims for past tax years, and what may open after DTC approval. Every step links to official canada.ca sources so you can confirm details with the CRA before you submit. MyEligible does not decide your application; your practitioner's certification on Form T2201 and the CRA's review determine the outcome.
Form T2201: Disability Tax Credit application form
Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, is the CRA application form. Part A is your personal details; Part B is your practitioner's medical certification.
Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, is the CRA form for DTC applications. Part A is completed by you or your legal representative with personal details. Part B is completed by your medical practitioner, who certifies how the impairment affects daily activities. Applicants cannot complete Part B themselves. With the digital process, Part B submits automatically when the practitioner finishes. With paper forms, mail Part A and Part B together.
Who is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit?
The disability tax credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit for people with a severe and prolonged impairment. The CRA decides based on Form T2201 Part B from your medical practitioner, not on this page.
The disability tax credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit for people with a severe and prolonged impairment. If you are approved, you can claim the credit on your tax return. It can also open access to other federal programs.
How do I apply for the Disability Tax Credit?
Apply with Form T2201 in two parts: you (or your representative) complete Part A, then your medical practitioner completes Part B. Use the same method (digital or paper) for both parts.
Form T2201 has two parts. Choose either the digital process or the paper process for the whole application. Part A and Part B must use the same method; mixed applications cannot be processed.
Part A: You (or your legal representative)
Complete Part A online in CRA My Account (Apply for DTC), by phone with the CRA, or on paper. With the digital form, you receive a reference number valid for up to 12 months and single use. Give that number to your medical practitioner for Part B.
When to apply
You may apply at any time during the year. Submit your DTC application before you file your tax return to avoid delays in your assessment.
How to prepare a complete Form T2201 application (information only)
These tips follow CRA guidance on common gaps in Part B. They are not approval strategies and do not predict whether the CRA will approve your application.
Many applications struggle because Part B lists a diagnosis without describing functional impact. Help your practitioner document how the impairment affects daily activities.
- Describe specific activities (feeding, dressing, walking, mental functions, etc.) and how long tasks take compared with someone of similar age.
- Note how often limitations occur (for example, daily, or nearly all the time) and whether they persist even with medication, therapy, or assistive devices.
- Bring examples from the past 12 months: school reports, therapy notes, hospital visits, or a symptom journal you kept at home.
- If multiple areas are affected, explain how they combine (cumulative effect) even when no single area meets the marked-restriction test alone.
- Ask whether your practitioner is familiar with Form T2201 Part B and the functional language the CRA expects.
Practitioners may charge a fee to complete the form. You are responsible for paying it, but you may be able to claim it as a medical expense on your tax return.
How long does the CRA take to review a DTC application?
The CRA reviews your application and may contact your practitioner (who has 60 business days to respond). Processing times vary; track status in CRA My Account.
After the CRA receives a complete application (Part A and Part B together, using the same digital or paper method), it compares your practitioner's certification with DTC eligibility criteria. The CRA aims to process your application and send a notice of determination in a timely manner; it may take longer if information is missing. Check the CRA's current targeted processing times for Form T2201 on canada.ca and use the progress tracker in CRA My Account.
What the CRA may ask your medical practitioner after submission
In some cases, the CRA needs more information to finish its review. It may send your medical practitioner a letter asking for supporting documents. Your practitioner has 60 business days to respond. The CRA will advise you in writing when it has requested this information. You do not send these follow-up documents yourself unless the CRA asks you to. When the review is complete, the CRA sends a notice of determination by mail or through CRA My Account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers on applying, Form T2201, processing times, retroactive claims, and what may open after approval.
Disability pathways vary by province. Use the Canada benefits finder to explore federal and provincial layers together.
This is not an eligibility test