Real-Time Captioning
Live captioning services (such as CART) for a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, eligible without a prescription or certification.
Is real-time captioning CRA eligible in Canada?
Yes. Real-time captioning services for a person who is deaf or hard of hearing are eligible under the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) and can be reimbursed through a Health Spending Account (HSA). No prescription or certification is required.
The CRA lists real-time captioning as an eligible medical expense. These services — commonly provided through Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) — allow a person with a hearing impairment to access spoken communication in real time. The expense is eligible when the captioning is required because of a hearing impairment.
What Qualifies
- CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) services for a person with hearing loss
- Real-time captioning at medical appointments, legal proceedings, workplace meetings, or educational settings
- Live human captioning services (as distinct from automated captions) for a deaf or hard-of-hearing individual
- Costs paid directly to a captioning service provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Is real-time captioning CRA eligible?
Yes. The CRA explicitly lists real-time captioning as an eligible medical expense under the METC. No prescription or written certification is required.
Can I claim real-time captioning through my HSA?
Yes. Submit the receipt from the captioning provider. No prescription or certification is needed.
Source
Based on the CRA's official eligible medical expenses list and Income Tax Folio S1-F1-C1, "Medical Expense Tax Credit".
This information is sourced from the Canada Revenue Agency's official Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) reference guide (lines 33099 and 33199). This is not tax advice. For the most current rulings, consult the CRA directly or speak with a qualified tax professional.
Based on CRA data last updated 2026-01-20. Page last reviewed 2026-03-20.