Parents of athletes who are participating in the Ontario Provincial Teams programs may be wondering about the new Fitness Tax Credit and how they will get the necessary receipts from OWP to qualify.

The Provincial Team program operates over a period of at least 5 consecutive days and 90% of the activities in the program include a significant amount of physical activity that contributes to cardio-respiratory endurance plus one or more of muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility or balance. Therefore, the fees paid for the Provincial Team program, not including costs for travel and accommodation, will qualify.

This program is in effect for the 2007 tax year, so usually, parents will be claiming the credit in 2008, when 2007 taxes are filed.

Please note that only monies paid in 2007 will qualify, even if money paid in 2006 was for activities which took place in 2007.

While most parents will be getting receipts from clubs which will already qualify them for the maximum available credit, OWP will be issuing receipts in the form required by the Canada Revenue Agency for monies received in 2007, for the 2007 provincial team, in August 2007 for all athletes who were 16 years of age or under at any time in 2007. OWP will issue a second receipt for monies received in 2007 for the 2007-2008 program year at the end of 2007.