Bill 61, Making Psychotherapy Services Tax-Free Act, 2023, was developed to remove the unfair tax treatment levied against Registered Psychotherapists as the only mental health professionals that had to charge their clients 13% in HST on the essential mental health service they provide. These changes are critical to those living in Ontario as many are facing challenges in affordability and mental health. Ongoing reports show increases in rents, groceries, gas or transit, and the overall cost of living with significant increases in people's struggles with anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, eating disorders, systemic discrimination, and mental health.
Since psychotherapy can be an effective treatment for many individuals who are facing physical and mental health challenges, it is critical that the psychotherapy services provided by psychotherapists, registered psychotherapists and registered mental health therapists within the meaning of the Psychotherapy Act, 2007 be fully integrated into Ontario’s public health care system. This includes providing the same tax treatment for these services as is provided for other services and, ultimately, full public funding for all mental health services. Steps like Bill 61 will allow Ontarians to access psychotherapy services with fewer financial barriers.
The proposed amendment proposed by Bill 61 received Royal Assent and is now law!
As of June 20, 2024, psychotherapy and counselling therapy services provided by licensed professionals are exempt from HST, provided they are within the scope of practice of the professional's regulatory body. Each member's practice is unique, and specific circumstances may vary.
If finances are a barrier in your mental health treatment, we offer a sliding scale. Contact Us for more information.
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