The Canada Revenue Agency is changing the way it handles Disability Tax Credit applications, with new rules taking effect this summer that could affect Canadians applying online or by paper form.
The update is aimed at speeding up processing times and reducing incomplete applications. For applicants, the message is clear: the CRA wants more people to use the digital Disability Tax Credit application through their online account, while older paper forms and the general “submit documents” option are being phased out for new applications.
The most important date is July 14, 2026. From that day, applicants will no longer be able to use the “submit documents” section of their CRA account to send a new Disability Tax Credit application or related documents unless the CRA specifically asks for more information.
That change matters because many applicants are used to uploading tax documents through their CRA account. For Disability Tax Credit applications, however, the CRA says the correct routes will be the dedicated digital DTC application form or mail.
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CRA pushes applicants toward the online DTC form
The Disability Tax Credit, often called the DTC, is a non-refundable federal tax credit designed to help people with severe and prolonged physical or mental impairments, or their supporting family members, reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay.
The CRA says online applications can be processed more quickly than paper applications because the digital form is always up to date, guides applicants through required sections, and allows the medical practitioner to complete their part of the process online.
Under the digital process, the applicant fills out Part A through their CRA My Account. They then receive a reference number, which must be given to the medical practitioner. The medical practitioner uses that reference number to complete and submit Part B online.
The agency says this helps validate applicant information more quickly and reduces the risk of missing details. Missing or incomplete information is one of the common reasons applications can be delayed.
Key dates: From July 14, 2026, new DTC applications should not be sent through CRA “submit documents” unless the CRA asks for extra information. From September 8, 2026, older Form T2201 versions from before 2023 will no longer be accepted.
Paper applications remain available, but older forms will be rejected
Canadians who do not want to apply online can still apply by mail using Form T2201, the Disability Tax Credit Certificate. The form must be completed and signed by the applicant and a medical practitioner before being mailed to the appropriate CRA tax centre.
However, the CRA is also tightening the rules around which paper forms will be accepted. From September 8, 2026, versions of Form T2201 from before 2023 will no longer be accepted. Applicants using an outdated version will need to submit a new application using the latest form.
The current Form T2201 Disability Tax Credit Certificate is available through the Government of Canada website. The CRA says applicants using the paper version should download the latest form rather than relying on an older saved copy.
For paper applications, the person with the impairment or their legal representative completes Part A, while the medical practitioner completes Part B. The CRA bases its eligibility decision on the information provided by the medical practitioner about the effects of the impairment.
Amount Canadians can claim through the Disability Tax Credit
For the 2025 tax year, approved applicants aged 18 and older may claim a disability amount of $10,138. For applicants under 18, an additional supplement of $5,914 may apply, bringing the total disability-related amount to $16,052.
Because the DTC is non-refundable, it reduces income tax payable but does not create a refund on its own if no tax is owed. If the person with the impairment does not need the full amount to reduce their own tax, some or all of the unused amount may be transferred to a supporting family member who meets CRA conditions.
The CRA also allows eligible applicants to claim the DTC for past years in some cases. If someone was eligible in previous years but did not claim the disability amount, they may be able to request adjustments going back up to 10 years.
The latest changes do not remove the paper application option, but they do make the application route more specific. Canadians preparing to apply should use the dedicated online DTC form where possible, avoid the general document upload section for new applications after July 14, and make sure any paper Form T2201 being mailed is the 2023-or-later version.
For families, caregivers and applicants dealing with medical documentation, the practical impact is simple: using the wrong submission channel or an outdated form could slow down a claim that the CRA says it is trying to process faster.
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