Deductibility of Surrogacy Payments in Canadian Tax Law

Abstract

Surrogacy arrangements in Canada are estimated to have increased by 400% in the last decade, in part due to the rising rates of infertility. Costs for these arrangements can be upwards of $100,000. Individuals and couples using a surrogate to expand their family have sought relief under the medical expense tax credit pursuant to section 118.2(2) or the adoption tax credit pursuant to section 118.01(2) of the Income Tax Act. The deductibility of these payments is a relatively new issue in Canadian tax law; however Canadian courts have consistently denied the deduction of surrogacy payments. The Tax Court of Canada has heard five cases on the matter and has denied the deduction in all four that have precedential value. Surrogates do not meet the definition of “patient” to qualify for the medical expense tax credit and are outside the scope of the adoption tax credit. This article canvases legal and policy arguments in favour of and against allowing surrogacy payments to be tax deductible. It proposes the creation of a new surrogacy expense tax credit, similar in design to the existing adoption tax credit.