Fact Sheet Children's Fitness Tax Credit

The following is information about the proposed tax credit for organizations
that provide eligible programs of physical activity.  This information is
based on legislation that has been tabled in the House of Commons but that
has not yet become law.

Proposed Definition of a Program of Prescribed Physical Activity
An eligible program of prescribed physical activity, for the purposes of the
credit, will be defined as:

An ongoing, supervised program, suitable for children, in which
substantially all of the activities undertaken include a significant amount
of physical activity that contribute to cardio-respiratory endurance, plus
one or more of:
- muscular strength,
- muscular endurance,
- flexibility, and
- balance.

This definition will cover many sports programs that involve sport but
recognizes that the practice of any sport physical activity does not always
call on cardio-respiratory endurance, notably in the initial learning
stages.  Eligibility of a program would be based on the general nature of
the activities, and the benefits of involvement over time.  The definition
will also take into account the average participants' age, health, skills,
presence of a disability, and other relevant factors.

*In keeping with the expressed purpose of the tax credit, and in the
spirit of Canada's Physical Activity Guides for Children and Youth published
by the Public Health Agency of Canada, programs of prescribed physical
activity for which tax receipts are issued should encourage children to
strive towards at least 30 minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous
physical activity per session for children under 10, and 60 minutes of
sustained moderate to vigorous physical activity for children 10 and over.

*By requiring a supervisory presence and by referring to activities
that are "suitable for children", the proposed definition acknowledges
parents' role in assuring the safety of their children.  It reminds those
delivering programs of prescribed physical activity for children that safety
is paramount and that such programs should comply with federal and
provincial safety regulations.


Categories of Eligible Programs
In addition to the above definition, and in order to recognize the many ways
in which children are enrolled and participate in organized physical
activity, the Income Tax Regulations will provide that programs are eligible
for the tax credit if they last at least eight weeks at a minimum of one
session per week, or, in the case of children's camps, five consecutive days
- provided in the latter case that more than 50 per cent of the program time
is devoted to physical activity.

A child's membership in a club, association or other organization for two
months or more would also be considered participation in an eligible program
if more than 50 per cent of the programs available as a result of membership
are in the nature of an "eligible program", or more than 50 per cent of the
available time is devoted to activities in an "eligible program".  The
eligible portion of the program's membership and registration fees could, in
general, be pro-rated for the purposes of the credit where it constitutes
50 per cent or less of the total program cost.

Organizations can issue a receipt for the portion of a family membership
that covers a child's participation in an eligible program.

While fees charged for extracurricular programs that take place at a school
will be eligible, the credit will not cover fees charged for regular school
physical education programming.

Sporting, recreational and other activities in which motorized vehicles
(e.g., automobiles, motorcycles, power boats, airplanes, snowmobiles) are
used as an essential component of the activity will also be excluded.

Measures for Children With Disabilities
In recognizing the particular challenges that children with disabilities
face, the Income Tax Act will be amended to raise the age limit for
<http://www.fin.gc.ca/scripts/glossary.asp?Lang=E&Term=disability_tax_credit
\oGlossaryTerm:Clickforadefinition> disability tax credit (
<http://www.fin.gc.ca/scripts/glossary.asp?Lang=E&Term=DTC\oGlossaryTerm:Cli
ckforadefinition> DTC)-eligible children from under 16 to under 18 years of
age for the purposes of the Children's Fitness Tax Credit.  The Act will
also be amended to introduce a separate $500 non-refundable amount for
DTC-eligible children subject to spending a minimum of $100 on registration
fees for an eligible program.  This additional non-itemizable amount
provides general recognition of the extra costs that children with
disabilities encounter in becoming involved in programs of physical
activity, notably with regard to specialized equipment, transportation and
attendant care.

Calculating eligible fees
To be eligible for the children's fitness tax credit, the fees must be paid
for a child who is under 16 at any time in the year.  The fees must relate
to the cost of registration or membership in an eligible program of physical
fitness activity.  If your organization provides family memberships relating
to an eligible program of physical activity, you will be able to issue a tax
receipt for the child's portion of the membership fees.

Registration and membership costs can include the costs of administration,
instruction, and the rental of facilities.  If the fees charged to parents
include a part for accommodation, travel, food, or beverages (for example,
room and board at a fitness camp), then this part must be deducted when
calculating the part of the fees that qualify for the tax credit.


Example:
Parents pay an all-inclusive registration fee of $700 for a one-week,
away-from-home hockey camp for children.  The camp provides hockey pucks,
jerseys, and goalie nets that are shared during the camp but that are
retained by the organization at week's end. Children must bring all other
necessary equipment with them and parents are responsible for transporting
the children to and from the camp. The $700 fee includes $200 for
accommodation and $150 for meals.  The portion of the fee that is eligible
for purposes of the children's fitness tax credit is $350 ($700 - $200 -
$150).

Issuing receipts
You should issue a receipt for income tax purposes for eligible amounts paid
in 2007 only.  Amounts paid in 2006 do not qualify even if all or part of
the activity takes place in 2007.  A receipt should contain the following
information:
- Organization's name and address
- Name of the eligible program or activity
- Total amount received, date received, and the amount that is eligible for
the children's fitness tax credit
- Full name of the payer
- Name of the child and child's year of birth
- Authorized signature.

Note: An authorized signature is not required for electronically generated
receipts.

For more information
Canada Revenue Agency
http://www.cra.gc.ca/fitness   
1-800-959-55251-800-387-1193

Finance Canada
http://www.fin.gc.ca/news06/06-084e.html#Backgrounder   

Tom Scrimger
Director General/Directeur général
Sport Canada
Rm. 5, 16th Fl., 15 Eddy St./Pièce 5, 16e étage, 15 rue Eddy
Gatineau, QC  K1A 0M5
(819) 956-8153/Fax (819) 956-8006
tom_scrimger@pch.gc.ca