Volunteer Firefighters and Search & Rescue Credit — Claim the $6,000 Volunteer Amount
What Is It?
If you completed at least 200 hours of eligible volunteer firefighting or search and rescue service, CRA allows you to claim a $6,000 amount for the volunteer firefighters’ amount or search and rescue volunteers’ amount.
What Most People Don’t Know
- You can combine eligible firefighter and search-and-rescue hours to reach the threshold.
- You cannot claim both credits. You choose one.
- This can conflict with the $1,000 emergency-services income exemption strategy, so comparison matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours do I need?
A: CRA says you need at least 200 eligible hours in the year.
Can I combine firefighter and search-and-rescue hours?
A: Yes. CRA says the hours can be combined to claim either the volunteer firefighters’ amount or the search and rescue volunteers’ amount.