Can I claim my new glasses + eye exam on my taxes in Ontario?

Thanks for this info! Quick question - if I have benefits through work that cover 80% of my glasses, can I still claim that remaining 20% I paid myself? And does Ontario have any special provincial credits for eyewear that I should know about?

Yes, you can absolutely claim the 20% you paid out-of-pocket after your work benefits covered the rest. Just make sure you keep documentation showing both the full cost and the portion you paid. Ontario doesn't have a separate provincial tax credit specifically for eyewear, but your glasses and eye exam expenses will be considered when calculating both your federal and provincial medical expense tax credits. The provincial calculation uses the same eligible expenses as the federal one, just with slightly different rates.

How does it work with receipts that aren't very detailed? My optometrist just gives basic receipts that don't break down the costs between the frames, lenses, and add-ons. Will the system still be able to help me figure out what's claimable?

Sounds interesting but I'm a bit skeptical... does it actually interface with the CRA system or does it just give you advice? Like, does it help with the actual filing or just tell you what you can claim?

The system is actually really good with basic receipts. It uses some kind of AI to recognize standard optical receipts and can often distinguish between the medical components and cosmetic add-ons even when not clearly itemized. For anything it can't automatically determine, it prompts you with simple questions to help categorize the expenses correctly. It doesn't file directly with CRA, but it generates a detailed report of all your eligible medical expenses that you can use when filing your taxes. It organizes everything by category and provides explanations of why each item qualifies, which is super helpful if you ever get audited. It also helps you find the optimal 12-month period to maximize your claim.

Wait, how does this actually work? Do they have some special access to CRA or something? I'm confused how a third party service can skip the line.

Yeah right. There's no way this actually works. CRA phone queues are notoriously long and I find it hard to believe some random service can magically get you through faster. Sounds like a scam to me.

They don't have special access to CRA. What they do is use an automated system that dials CRA and waits on hold for you. Their system can detect when the hold music changes or stops, indicating an agent is about to pick up. At that point, they call you and connect you to the agent who's coming on the line. I was skeptical too, but it's not skipping the line - they're just waiting in line for you so you don't have to listen to hold music for hours. It's basically like having someone else wait in a physical line while you do other things. I used it twice now and both times got through to an agent when they said I would.

That's interesting - if you work at an optometrist's office, do you guys provide itemized receipts that break down what parts are medical vs. cosmetic? My place just gives a basic receipt and I'm wondering if I should ask for a more detailed one for tax purposes.

Most optometry offices should be able to provide you with an itemized receipt if you ask specifically. We routinely provide detailed receipts that separate the eye exam fee, the prescription lenses (which are medical), the frames (partially medical/partially cosmetic), and any add-ons like anti-glare coatings. I would definitely recommend asking for an itemized receipt when you purchase your glasses. If they've already given you a basic receipt, you can go back and ask for a more detailed one - most places keep records and can print a new version. Just explain it's for tax purposes and most offices are happy to help with this.

I claimed transition lenses last year without any issues. The way my optometrist explained it, since they serve a medical purpose (protecting eyes from UV light based on a prescription), they're generally considered eligible. But things like fancy designer frames or purely cosmetic tints might not be.

This is really helpful info! I didn't know about the contact lens solution being claimable if prescribed - that's something I'll definitely ask my optometrist about. Quick question about the travel expenses - does the 61 cents per kilometer apply even if you're just going to a regular optometrist appointment in your city, or only for specialist visits? And do you need any special documentation to prove the travel was medically necessary?

Great question! The travel expense rules are a bit more restrictive than you might think. You can only claim travel expenses if you had to travel at least 40 kilometers (one way) from your home to get medical services that weren't available locally. So if you're just going to your regular optometrist down the street, that wouldn't qualify. However, if you needed to see a specialist or get specific services that required traveling to another city or a distant part of your city (40+ km away), then yes, you can claim the 61 cents per kilometer. You don't need special documentation beyond keeping records of the distance traveled and the medical reason for the visit - your appointment records and receipts from the specialist would typically be sufficient proof. The key is that the medical service had to be substantially equivalent to what's available locally. So if there's an optometrist 5 minutes from your house but you chose to drive an hour to see a different one for convenience, that wouldn't qualify. But if you needed specialized contact lens fitting or treatment for a specific eye condition only available from a specialist further away, that would be eligible.

Thanks for mentioning the self-employed angle! I'm a freelance graphic designer and spend 12+ hours a day looking at screens. My optometrist specifically prescribed blue light filtering lenses for my computer work. Would this fall under business expenses or medical expenses? I'm wondering if there's a way to optimize which category gives me the better tax benefit. Also, did you need any special documentation from your optometrist to justify the business expense route?