---
title: "Canada Caregiver Credit Becomes Refundable From 2027"
url: https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/canada-caregiver-credit-refundable
description: "From 2027 the Canada Caregiver Credit becomes refundable, worth up to $1,260 a year even if you owe no tax. See who qualifies and how it is paid."
type: tax-update
updated: 2026-11-06
summary: "Budget 2026 proposes making the Canada Caregiver Credit fully refundable from the 2027 tax year, worth up to $1,260 a year and indexed after that. Refundable means you receive it even if you owe no tax. The government estimates it will lift 15,000 people out of poverty."
faq_count: 2
publisher: EverStone CPA Inc., a Chartered Professional Accountant firm registered with CPA British Columbia and CPA Alberta
service_area: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba
language: en-CA
contact: info@everstonecpa.com · https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online
---

[Home](https://www.everstonecpa.com/) [Tax updates](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-updates) [Budget 2026](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/federal-budget-2026) The Canada Caregiver Credit becomes refundable

Personal tax

# The Canada Caregiver Credit becomes refundable

By EverStone CPA · Updated November 2026

A credit you could only use against tax owing becomes one you can receive as a refund, which matters most to caregivers with modest incomes.

**Quick answer:** Budget 2026 proposes making the Canada Caregiver Credit fully refundable from the 2027 tax year, worth up to $1,260 a year and indexed after that. Refundable means you receive it even if you owe no tax. The government estimates it will lift 15,000 people out of poverty.

**Caring for a family member?** We claim every credit you qualify for on the family’s returns, from $125 a return. [Get My Fixed Quote](https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online?service=personal#enquiry-form)

**Announced, not yet law** · 2027 tax year (proposed)
This has been announced but is not yet law. It can change or be withdrawn.

## Example

Grace works part time and cares for her mother. Her income is low enough that she owes little tax, so today the non-refundable credit is worth almost nothing to her. From 2027 she could receive up to $1,260 as a refund when she files.

Whether this applies to you depends on your year-end and structure; [ask about your own situation](https://www.everstonecpa.com/quick-question) and a CPA replies by email, usually the same business day, free.

## Common questions

**How much is the refundable caregiver credit?**

Up to $1,260 a year from 2027, indexed after that, under the proposal.

**Do I need to owe tax to get it?**

No. Refundable means it is paid even if you owe no tax.

## Where this comes from

Budget 2026 was tabled on 5 November 2026. Figures on this page are from:

- [Department of Finance Canada — Budget 2026: Key Measures](https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2026/11/budget-2026-key-measures.html)

- [BLG — Federal Budget 2026: tax measures](https://www.blg.com/en/insights/2026/11/federal-budget-2026-sovereignty-strategic-investment-and-tax-simplification)

- [RBC Wealth Management — Federal budget 2026 overview](https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/en-ca/insights/federal-budget-2026-an-overview-of-key-measures-that-may-impact-you)

**General information, not tax advice.** Budget measures are proposals until enacted and can change. Before deciding anything, [send an enquiry](https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online?service=personal#enquiry-form).

[Federal Budget 2026: what changes for small business owners](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/federal-budget-2026)
[The Canada Workers Benefit becomes the Build Canada Workers Benefit](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/build-canada-workers-benefit)
[Flat amounts you can claim without receipts from 2027](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/flat-rate-deductions-2027)

---
Source: https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/canada-caregiver-credit-refundable
Prices: https://www.everstonecpa.com/pricing · Contact: info@everstonecpa.com · https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online