CRA Disability Tax Credit Forms Rejected After September 8, 2026: What Canadians Must Submit

• Starting September 8, 2026, the CRA will no longer accept older versions of Form T2201 issued before 2023.

• Applicants must use the current digital DTC application or the latest paper Form T2201, version 23e or 23f.

• Do not upload a new DTC application through the regular CRA Submit documents service; use the digital application or mail the completed paper form.

What changes on September 8, 2026?

The Canada Revenue Agency will stop accepting older versions of Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, beginning September 8, 2026. The affected forms are versions issued before 2023.

This change applies to new Disability Tax Credit applications submitted with an outdated form. If you use a pre-2023 version after the effective date, the CRA says it will not be accepted and you will need to submit a new application using the current version.

This is a form-version change, not a new rule that automatically denies people who may qualify for the Disability Tax Credit. The CRA will still assess eligibility based on the information provided by the applicant and the medical practitioner.

What Canadians need to submit

You have two current application options: the fully digital DTC application or the latest paper version of Form T2201.

Option 1: Use the digital DTC application

The digital application is available through your CRA account. The applicant or legal representative completes Part A, then gives the reference number to an eligible medical practitioner. The practitioner completes and submits Part B online.

1. Sign in to your CRA account.
2. Select your Individual account.
3. Open Benefits and credits.
4. Select Apply for DTC.
5. Complete and submit Part A.
6. Give the resulting reference number to your medical practitioner.
7. Ask the practitioner to complete and submit Part B through the CRA’s digital medical-practitioner application.

The reference number is valid for up to 12 months and can be used once by a medical practitioner to submit Part B. The application is submitted automatically after the practitioner completes the medical section.

Option 2: Use the current paper Form T2201

If you prefer paper or cannot use the digital process, download the current Form T2201 from the CRA. The CRA’s current paper instructions identify version 23e or 23f as the version to use.

1. Complete Part A with the applicant’s personal information and any supporting family member information.
2. Sign the applicant or legal representative section.
3. Have an eligible medical practitioner complete and certify Part B.
4. Make sure both parts are complete, readable and submitted together.
5. Mail the completed form to the appropriate CRA tax centre.

Do not rely on an old copy saved on your computer, obtained from a clinic or printed several years ago. Check the version before completing it, particularly if you started the application before September 8, 2026.

What changed before the September 8 deadline?

The CRA also changed how most applicants submit DTC applications. Since July 14, 2026, applicants generally cannot use the regular Submit documents section in their CRA account to send a new DTC application or related documents unless the CRA specifically requests additional information.

For a new application, use the digital DTC application or mail the paper application. The regular Submit documents service is not the replacement filing route for a new DTC application.

If the CRA later asks for more information, its letter or CRA account message should include instructions and a case reference number. Use those instructions when sending requested documents.

How to avoid having a T2201 returned

Using the correct version is only one part of a complete application. The CRA may return or be unable to process an application if required information or signatures are missing.

• Include the applicant’s name, address, date of birth and social insurance number.
• Make sure Part A is signed by the applicant, legal guardian or authorized legal representative.
• Have the appropriate medical practitioner complete Part B.
• Make sure the medical practitioner signs Part B by hand for a paper application.
• Submit Part A and Part B together when using the paper process.
• Ensure the form is readable and every mandatory field is completed.
• Use only one application method. Do not combine a digital Part A with a separately mailed paper Part B.

The practitioner who completes Part B must be qualified for the type of impairment being certified. Doctors and nurse practitioners can certify all impairment categories, while other practitioners can certify specific areas such as vision, hearing, walking, mental functions, speaking, feeding or dressing.

What if you already sent an old form?

If your application used a version of Form T2201 from before 2023 and has not been accepted, prepare a new application with the current version. The CRA specifically says a new application is required when the older version is not accepted.

If you already received confirmation that the CRA accepted your application and it is being reviewed, do not automatically send a duplicate. Duplicate submissions can delay processing. Instead, check your application status in the CRA Progress Tracker or contact the CRA if you are unsure whether your file was received.

If the CRA has asked for additional information about an existing file, follow the instructions in that request. The deadline for replacing an outdated new application should not be confused with the separate process for responding to a CRA information request.

How long does a DTC application take?

For 2026–27, the CRA’s service standard is to issue a notice of determination within eight weeks of receiving a Disability Tax Credit Certificate, with a goal of meeting that standard 95% of the time. Cases requiring contact with a medical practitioner or additional information may take longer.

You can track a DTC application in the Progress Tracker within your CRA account. The CRA will send a written notice explaining whether the application was approved or denied.

What happens after approval?

The Disability Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit. After approval, the person with the impairment may claim the disability amount on an income tax return. If they do not need the full amount to reduce their tax, some or all of it may be transferred to an eligible supporting family member identified on the application.

Approval may also help a person qualify for other programs, including the Registered Disability Savings Plan, the Canada Workers Benefit disability supplement, the Child Disability Benefit or the Canada Disability Benefit, if the separate program requirements are met.

If the CRA approves eligibility for previous years and the applicant provided the required consent, the CRA may adjust prior tax returns automatically. In other situations, a separate adjustment request may be needed.

Canada versus the United States

This September 8, 2026 change is a Canadian CRA rule. Form T2201 and the Disability Tax Credit are Canadian programs and do not apply to U.S. federal tax filings. U.S. readers should use the Internal Revenue Service rules for disability-related tax matters rather than the Canadian CRA process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does the September 8, 2026 change mean every DTC application will be rejected?

A. No. The change targets older versions of Form T2201 issued before 2023. A current digital or paper application can still be reviewed under the normal Disability Tax Credit eligibility rules.

Q. Can I submit a new DTC application through CRA Submit documents?

A. Generally, no. Since July 14, 2026, new DTC applications must be submitted through the digital DTC application or by mail using the current paper form. Submit documents is generally reserved for information the CRA specifically requests.

Q. Do people already approved for the DTC need to submit a new T2201 every year?

A. No. An approved person normally submits a new T2201 only if the eligibility period is ending or the CRA asks for one. Check your CRA account or approval notice for the current eligibility period.

Q. What should I do if the CRA denies my DTC application?

A. Read the notice of determination, compare the reasons with the medical information submitted, and contact the CRA if you have questions. You may request a review and provide important medical information that was not previously submitted, such as an updated medical report or a letter from a practitioner familiar with the impairment.