02/22/2026
🩺 What the New PSW Tax Credit Is
Budget 2025 introduces a refundable tax credit specifically for Personal Support Workers.
It’s designed to put cash directly into the pockets of PSWs, even if they owe no tax.
How it works
• PSWs can claim 5% of their eligible earnings
• Up to a maximum of $1,100 per year
• It is refundable, meaning the CRA will pay it out even if your tax owing is $0
• Applies to tax years 2026 through 2030
👤 Who Qualifies
To be eligible, a worker must:
• Perform duties as a Personal Support Worker
• Work for an eligible health care establishment (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, residential care facilities, community care facilities, home health care organizations)
• Provide one‑on‑one care that supports a person’s health, safety, autonomy, and daily living
• Work under the direction of a regulated health professional or provincial/community health organization
This is meant to capture frontline PSWs doing hands‑on care.
đź’µ What Counts as Eligible Earnings
Eligible earnings include:
• Taxable employment income (wages, salaries, benefits)
• Certain tax‑exempt income earned on a reserve
Important:
Earnings in British Columbia, Newfoundland & Labrador, and the Northwest Territories do not qualify due to existing provincial agreements.
🗓️ When It Applies
• 2026 to 2030 tax years
• The credit is temporary, but the government has budgeted over $1.3 billion for it across five years.
đź§ Why This Matters
This is one of the largest targeted refundable credits ever introduced for a single occupation.
It recognizes the essential role PSWs play in long‑term care, home care, and hospital support and provides meaningful financial relief.