Medical travel for birth of baby

[kmchutter]

I live in a Masset in Northern BC. The hospital here does not support labour and birth which means I had to travel more than 90km to have my son in May 2014. My husband, 2 year old daughter and myself were away for 30 days waiting to have our son. Am I able to claim meal expenses for all of us as a medical expense?

[Amnoteor · Accepted solution]

This may not all be eligible.

Your costs are reasonable, and if supported by receipts, should be able to be claimed. Although you would naturally want family with you, there is not a MEDICAL reason for having husband and daughter with you, so those are probably not claimable. If there was a medical reason, you'll need supporting documentation from a doctor or the hospital.

A claim for 30 days is liable to raise a red flag for CRA, so make sure that you only claim what can be supported by documentation, since it is likely that you will be asked to provide substantiation.

[kmchutter]

Thanks for your comments Amnoteor. Very helpful!

[Amnoteor]

Oh, I'm glad. It sounds like a blessed event ... and whether you get a tax deduction or not, how wonderful to have your family with you throughout the time!
(although it would be wonderful to stay on the island to give birth too, wouldn't it?)