Can I claim a Calgary chiropractor on my taxes?
Short answer: yes—usually.
If you paid for chiropractor visits out of pocket, the unreimbursed amount is generally eligible for Canada’s Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) when the care is provided by a licensed practitioner and you have proper receipts.
One more hook: in a federal analysis, roughly 1 in 5 adult taxfilers claimed the METC in recent years—proof this credit is widely used to lower taxes on health costs.
Key takeaways
Chiropractic is eligible for the METC when performed by an authorized practitioner; claim the unreimbursed portion only. Canada+1
Claim expenses for any 12-month period ending in the tax year; use the return of the lower-income spouse when helpful. Canada
Your federal claim is reduced by the lesser of 3% of net income or $2,759 (2024)—we’ll update the fixed amount yearly. Canada
No GST/HST on regulated chiropractic treatment (generally exempt). Receipts should list provider credentials. Tax Interpretations
Business owners: an HSA/PHSP can pay 100% pre-tax (no personal METC needed on those amounts). Canada+1
Who can claim chiropractic care costs?
If you’re in Calgary (or anywhere in Alberta), chiropractic services delivered by a licensed chiropractor are recognized by the CRA for the METC. You can claim for yourself, your spouse or partner, and your children under 18 at line 33099.
For other dependants (e.g., a parent you support), use line 33199. To keep it simple: claim only the portion you actually paid after any insurance reimbursement from your extended health benefits (EHB) plan. Canada
Authorized practitioners (Alberta)
Chiropractors are on the CRA’s list of authorized medical practitioners for METC purposes (province-by-province recognition applies; Alberta included).
That means your Calgary chiropractor visit is eligible as long as you have proper documentation and it isn’t already reimbursed.
If you’re searching chiropractor near me or chiropractor Calgary NW, the eligibility rule is about licensure + receipts, not your postal code. Canada
Who can be on your claim
You, your spouse/partner, and children <18 → claim on line 33099.
Other dependants you support (e.g., parent) → claim on line 33199.
Tip: Often it’s best to pool expenses on the lower-income spouse’s return to clear the threshold (below). Canada
What receipts you need from your Calgary chiropractor NW
A good receipt keeps your tax life easy. At Axiom Chiropractic, we can email or re-issue itemized receipts at no charge.
Our receipts include clinic address and Dr. Matt’s license number, dates of service, descriptions (e.g., “initial assessment,” “adjustment”), and amounts paid.
Since regulated chiropractic care is generally GST/HST-exempt, you won’t see sales tax added to treatment fees. Tax Interpretations
Receipt checklist at Axiom Chiropractic
Patient full name
Practitioner name + license/permit
Clinic address and contact
Service description and date(s)
Amounts paid by you and any insurer reimbursement shown separately (if applicable)
Record-keeping basics
Keep receipts for six years after filing. If your insurer reimburses later, only the unreimbursed amount is claimable for that year. Paid in December but reimbursed in January?
Claim the portion you ultimately paid for the 12-month period you choose (see next section). Canada+1
How to calculate METC
For federal taxes, total your eligible chiropractic (and other medical) expenses for any 12-month period ending in your tax year. Then subtract the lesser of 3% of your net income or $2,759 (2024).
The remainder becomes your non-refundable credit at the lowest federal rate; provincial credits apply too. We’ll update the fixed dollar amount each year when CRA posts it. Canada+1
Step-by-step claim guide
Pick your 12-month window ending in the tax year (e.g., Feb 1, 2024–Jan 31, 2025). Canada
Add all eligible expenses (chiropractic + others). Canada
Subtract insurance reimbursements; keep only the out-of-pocket portion. Canada
On line 33099 (or 33199), enter your total, then subtract the lesser of 3% of net income or $2,759 (2024). Canada
Consider claiming on the lower-income spouse to maximize the credit. Canada
Quick math example
Out-of-pocket chiropractic in your window: $800
Insurer reimbursed: $300 → you paid $500
Your net income: $60,000 → 3% = $1,800; threshold is the lesser of $1,800 or $2,759, so $1,800
$500 − $1,800 = $0 federal METC (but combine with other medical receipts to clear the threshold)
HSA vs. personal METC
If you’re a small business owner, a Health Spending Account (HSA/PHSP) can reimburse chiropractic pre-tax at the business level.
That means no personal METC on those reimbursed amounts (because you didn’t personally pay them).
Employees covered under a qualifying PHSP generally receive a non-taxable benefit; owners operating through a corporation can often structure this efficiently—talk to your accountant. Canada+1
Scenario A (individual)
Out-of-pocket: $900 in chiropractor Calgary NW visits
Insurance reimbursed: $400 → $500 unreimbursed
Result: Claim $500 under METC (alongside other family medical bills) for your chosen 12-month period; the credit applies to the amount above your threshold. Canada
Scenario B (business owner + HSA)
Set up a PHSP/HSA through your corporation
The HSA reimburses 100% of eligible chiropractic pre-tax
Result: No personal METC on those amounts because you weren’t out-of-pocket; benefit is non-taxable if the plan meets PHSP criteria. Canada+1
Conclusion: keep the receipts, save tax
Chiropractic care from a Calgary chiropractor is generally METC-eligible when you pay out-of-pocket and keep proper receipts.
Pick a smart 12-month window, pool family expenses strategically, and remember the 3% (or fixed-amount) threshold.
If you run a business, consider an HSA/PHSP to handle costs pre-tax instead.
And if you need itemized receipts or re-prints, we’ll email them—free. Clear care, clean paperwork, lower tax. That’s a good combo.
More helpful reads
Posture and tax-season desk life: What is Dowager’s Hump?
Performance and recovery: Do Professional Athletes See Chiropractors?
Prefer to just get this done? Book with Axiom Chiropractic. Or learn more about us at Chiropractor Calgary.
