What is the Digital News Subscription Tax Credit (DNSTC), and how do I claim it?

by TurboTax• Updated 10 months ago

For tax years 2020 through 2024, the digital news subscription tax credit (DNSTC) is a non-refundable tax credit for amounts paid by individuals to a Qualified Canadian Journalism Organization. Organizations aren't required to include their QCJO designation number in the receipt.

To qualify to claim this credit, you must have paid for a subscription subscribe to a digital news service that's been approved by the CRA.

What subscriptions are eligible?

Subscriptions eligible for the DNSTC must provide the subscriber with access to original written digital news content.

Publishers may voluntarily submit a new form, T622 Digital News Subscription Tax Credit - Eligible Subscription, to confirm that they (and the subscriptions they offer) are eligible. This information will then be published on the CRA webpage for individuals to reference.

This list is compiled based on organizations that voluntarily submit a request to the CRA for a determination as to whether the subscriptions they offer meet the criteria in the Income Tax Act. Other organizations may also offer a subscription that qualifies for the DSNTC, but may have chosen not to request a determination from the CRA. In these cases, their subscriptions won't appear on the CRA’s list.*

*Note: If a subscription isn't on the list, subscribers should contact the organization that offers the digital news subscription for more information.

How do I calculate my credit amount?

The amount of your credit is based on the lowest personal income tax rate (15%). To calculate how much you're entitled to claim, multiply 15% by the total of all amounts paid for qualifying subscription expenses in the year (up to $500). You'll then claim the 15% non-refundable credit on your tax return (to a maximum of $75 annually).

How do I enter this amount into TurboTax Online?

Select the Find magnifying glass icon from the toolbar.
Enter digital in the search bar.
Select Digital News Subscription Expenses and select Go.
At Digital News Subscription Tax Credit, enter the amount of eligible expenses for the year
Select Continue.

How do I enter this amount into TurboTax Download version?

From the left side navigation panel, select Deductions & Credits and then Payments profile.
Check the box for Digital News Subscription.
Select Continue.
At Digital news subscription tax credit enter the amount of eligible expenses for the year.
Select Continue.