The T2201 is the one form that unlocks the Disability Tax Credit, and up to 10 years of back payments. Here is what it is, in plain words, with no jargon.
You never have to pay a percentage of your refund to fill out this form. It is free and you can do it yourself.
Form T2201 is called the Disability Tax Credit Certificate. It is the form the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) uses to decide whether you, or someone you support, qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit.
The credit itself is not new money handed to you right away. It reduces the tax you owe. If it is approved for past years too, the CRA can send you a refund for tax you already paid.
Part A is for you (or the person applying, or a family member helping them). You fill in name, address, and basic details.
Part B is for your doctor or nurse practitioner. They describe how your condition affects daily life, and, most important, the year it started to affect you this way.
You cannot fill in Part B yourself. It must come from a medical practitioner who knows your case.
Form T2201 is free, straight from canada.ca, the CRA's own website. You can also start the form inside CRA My Account. Starting it online lets your doctor fill in and submit their part digitally, which is often faster than paper.
Once both parts are done, you have two ways to send the form to the CRA:
Online, through CRA My Account. Some doctors can also submit Part B directly to the CRA from their own system.
By mail, to the CRA tax centre listed on the form.
Keep a copy for yourself either way.
A CRA officer reviews the form. They may approve it, deny it, or ask your doctor for more detail. Processing can take a number of weeks. If approved, the CRA tells you which years you qualify for and adjusts your tax accordingly.
Near the end of the form there is a box asking whether you want the CRA to adjust your tax returns for past years, based on the start date your doctor gave. Tick this box. It is how you unlock retroactive years without filing separate paperwork for each one.
Want the details on how far back this can go? See our retroactive guide.
We'll email you the plain-language guide to applying yourself: the T2201 form, what your doctor fills in, and how to ask the CRA for your back years. One email, no spam.
What is Form T2201?
It is the Disability Tax Credit Certificate. You fill in Part A. Your doctor fills in Part B, describing how your condition affects daily life and the year it started.
Where do I get Form T2201?
Free, from canada.ca. You can also begin it inside CRA My Account, which lets your doctor submit their part online.
How do I send Form T2201 to the CRA?
Online through CRA My Account, sometimes digitally from your doctor's office, or by mail to the tax centre named on the form. Online is usually quicker.
This guide is for information only and is not tax, legal, or medical advice. Always check canada.ca or CRA My Account for the current version of Form T2201 and current processing times. Verified July 2026.