HSPBA: Professional Fees Reimbursement
HSA is pleased to advise members covered by the HSPBA collective agreement that the application process for funding to cover Health Science Professional Fees for 2024 – negotiated in the recent round of HSPBA bargaining – is now open.
Recognizing that many health science professionals pay out of pocket for mandatory regulatory body fees, and/or voluntary fees to professional associations that help them enhance their ability to maintain current and best practices, for the current year – 2024 – you may submit a receipt for reimbursement to cover the fees related to one professional body of your choice. You are encouraged to submit application for reimbursement for the highest dollar value fee you paid or will pay in 2024.
If you are a member of a different bargaining unit (i.e. BCGEU, CUPE, PEA or HEU), please contact your union directly for funding opportunities.
Email: 2024profeefund [at] hsabc.org
HSA members under the HSPBA bargaining unit may apply for reimbursement of their 2024 Professional Fees online.
What you Need to Complete your Application
The application process is exclusively online. In order to make application for reimbursement, HSA requires you to have an email on file with the union. To update your contact information, use this form. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
In order to apply, you will need the following information on hand:
- A void cheque or banking information from your financial institution
- A digital copy (picture or scan) of the receipt you are applying to claim reimbursement for. Receipt must be dated between Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2024.
You must include all this information in order for your application to process. Processing your application may be delayed significantly if any of these are missing. Only one fee may be claimed for reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
HSPBA members are able to apply for reimbursement to cover the fees related to one professional body of your choice. You are encouraged to submit application for reimbursement for the highest dollar value fee you paid or will pay in 2024.
Yes. Members will be reimbursed up to a maximum cap, informed by the fee rates set by regulatory bodies and professional associations.
Yes, please. We anticipate up to 18,000 applications for reimbursement; having all the necessary information submitted together will streamline the reimbursement process.
A small percentage of users are encountering this error when submitting their application on their smartphone. Switching to a computer will resolve this issue, so please try again on a desktop or laptop.
No, you can only apply for reimbursement of professional fees.
An employee may deduct annual professional membership dues in computing the income or loss from an office or employment to the extent that they may reasonably be regarded as applicable to that source of income and provided that:
(a) they are annual dues (in contrast with entrance fees) necessary to maintain professional status,
(b) the amount claimed is paid in the taxation year and the employee is not reimbursed or entitled to be reimbursed,
(c) any reimbursement in part would reduce the amount of the claim on Line 21200 – Annual union, professional, or like dues on their personal income tax return.
No. Any Professional fees reimbursed are considered non-taxable income, and the reimbursement must be deducted from professional/membership fee claims.
Under paragraph 8(1)(i)(i) of the Tax Act, professional fees paid in respect of an occupational, trade, or professional examination are claimed as a deduction against Employment Income on your personal income tax return. Any reimbursement to the individual must be deducted from this claim.
Professional fees that are reimbursed to an individual are not included in your income and therefore do not require a T4A, however, individuals should take note the amount reimbursed is not eligible for a tax deduction and should reduce any claims made their in.
Note: HSA does not provide financial advice and the above information, referenced from the CRA website should not be considered as such. HSA recommends that members seek independent professional tax advice as they so choose.