Yesterday, the Canadian government’s new children’s fitness tax credit took effect. There are challenges to this tax credit by many who believe it will simply benefit those parents who already have their children in organized sports. In fact, some parents have started collecting signatures via an online petition to include the arts (music & art, etc.) in the tax credit.
For parents who spend $500 or more on organized sports for a child under the age of 16, they will receive a fitness tax credit of $500. A second benefit for children with disabilities joins this tax credit.
Arguments Against
There are arguments that a tax credit is hardly going to encourage Canadian children to get off the sofa. Other parents, including those behind the petition to the government, argue that it is great that the tax credit would help them put their child in organized sports, but if they have a child who is in music lessons – it won’t pay for them.
Arguments For
Ultimately, the tax credit is in part to help parents defray the rising cost of participation in organized sports and to help out with the nation’s heath which would defray health costs in the future as children grow up – used to being more active.
A panel of health experts and pediatric medicine toured Canada seeking how the tax credit should best work and they believe firmly that this fitness tax credit will provide middle and lower income families with more opportunities to get their kids involved in sports and other organized activities.
I can see the benefits of the tax credit, but I can also understand the parents of children in music and the arts who would like to see equal benefit with the fitness tax credit – as it’s important to nurture the body as well as the mind. I need to check in to whether this fitness tax credit would also include such fitness options as dance, gymnastics or equestrian sports.
I’ll do my best to research this and get back to you with more details. What do you think about a tax credit for enrolling your child in organized sports? Would you be more likely to encourage their participation?
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