Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Oct 30, 2019 8:57:19 PM

My return calculated more Non refundable tax credits than I need. It allocated too much Tuition credit on line 323. However I have medical expense that I need to claim.

My return resulted more Non refundable tax credits than I need. I have exceed tuition amount that I can carry forward.

I would like to see Turbo Tax to fully utilize medical expenses (can only carry forward 1 year) first, then calculates Tuition and education amounts needed to bring down my tax to zero. So I can carry forward maximum amount of tuition possible. 

Right now, TurboTax allocated too much Tuition credit on line 323, and suggest me do not claim medical expense, which I will lose if I don't claim it this year.

0 1 1328
1 Best answer
Level 15
Oct 30, 2019 8:57:20 PM

Unfortunately, you have to claim your Tuition Tax Credits before you claim your Medical Expenses. CRA requires you to claim your Non Refundable Tax Credits in a certain "order", and your Tuition Tax Credits precede the Medical Expense claim.

And you cannot choose to carry forward your tuition amounts. You must claim your tuition, education, and textbook amounts in the year they are incurred and you must claim this amount in the first year you have a tax payable.

This means if you have to use any of the tuition amounts this year to reduce your tax payable, they will be applied to your return automatically by CRA, even if you attempt to carry them forward. 

TurboTax will apply the needed amount to reduce your tax payable to zero this year and carry forward any excess to future years. Then CRA will automatically apply as needed. If you can use all your credits in a particular tax year, you are required to do so. You cannot spread them out over a number of years or wait to claim them. 

1 Replies
Level 15
Oct 30, 2019 8:57:20 PM

Unfortunately, you have to claim your Tuition Tax Credits before you claim your Medical Expenses. CRA requires you to claim your Non Refundable Tax Credits in a certain "order", and your Tuition Tax Credits precede the Medical Expense claim.

And you cannot choose to carry forward your tuition amounts. You must claim your tuition, education, and textbook amounts in the year they are incurred and you must claim this amount in the first year you have a tax payable.

This means if you have to use any of the tuition amounts this year to reduce your tax payable, they will be applied to your return automatically by CRA, even if you attempt to carry them forward. 

TurboTax will apply the needed amount to reduce your tax payable to zero this year and carry forward any excess to future years. Then CRA will automatically apply as needed. If you can use all your credits in a particular tax year, you are required to do so. You cannot spread them out over a number of years or wait to claim them.