Can I claim the caregiver amount if I do not stay overnight at my parents' house even I take care of them every day and pay for the expense of their house?

[wayneyan2000]

Both my parents are over 65 years old and considered as low income. They own a townhome, but I maintain the townhome for them, such as paying strata management fee, utilities, property tax and mortgage. My wife and I go to my parents¡¯ home everyday in order to take care of them. I drive them to clinics, community centers, grocery stores, and etc., I help them for cooking and house cleaning, but I only stay overnight at my parents¡¯ townhome approximately once a week. In this situation, can I claim the caregiver amount?

[Delphision · Accepted solution]

The deduction specifies that you and your dependants reside in the same house.

"If, at any time in 2015, you (either alone or with another person) maintained a dwelling where you and one or more of your dependants lived, you may be able to claim a maximum amount of $4,608 ($6,701 if he or she is eligible for the family caregiver amount) for each dependant".

What you might want to look into, depending on the age and general health of your parents, is a disability tax certificate for one or both.  If they have medical issues, can't walk very far, have trouble with activities in day to day living, you would probably be able to transfer the lion's share of each disability tax credit.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/t2201/README.html