Can you claim student loan interest on your taxes in Canada?
Quick summary
Yes, if the interest is on a government student loan. The CRA says only the borrower can claim it, even if a parent paid the interest. It is a non-refundable credit claimed on line 31900. Unused amounts can be carried forward for up to five years, and you track them yourself. For how the interest builds, see federal student loans and interest.
Checked November 10, 2026. Main source: Canada Revenue Agency: Line 31900, Interest paid on your student loans (modified January 20, 2026, read November 10, 2026). See all 1 source.
Key facts
- Where to claim
- Line 31900 federally, line 58520 provincially (Form 428)
- Source: CRA, modified January 20, 2026
- Carry forward
- Up to five years, oldest first
- Source: CRA, modified January 20, 2026
- Who can claim
- The student who is legally responsible for the loan
- Source: CRA, modified January 20, 2026
Which loans qualify
The CRA says qualifying loans are government student loans for post-secondary education under the Canada Student Loans Act, the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act or the Apprentice Loans Act, or under similar provincial or territorial laws.
- Does not qualify: loans that are not government student loans.
- Does not qualify: loans that were combined, renegotiated or reconsolidated with another loan.
- Does not qualify: interest paid because of a court judgment for failing to repay a student loan.
Source: Canada Revenue Agency: Line 31900, Interest paid on your student loans (modified January 20, 2026, read November 10, 2026).
Who can claim, and how
Only the borrower can claim it. If a parent or someone else paid the interest, the student can still claim it as long as the loan is in the student's name.
It is a non-refundable credit. Claim it on line 31900 federally and line 58520 provincially or territorially (Form 428). Quebec residents go through Revenu Quebec.
Source: Canada Revenue Agency: Line 31900, Interest paid on your student loans (modified January 20, 2026, read November 10, 2026).
If you cannot use it this year
If you have no tax payable in the year you paid the interest, you can carry the unused amount forward for up to five years. Claim the oldest amounts first. The CRA says it does not track carry-forwards, so keep your own record and avoid claiming the same amount twice.
Source: Canada Revenue Agency: Line 31900, Interest paid on your student loans (modified January 20, 2026, read November 10, 2026).
Questions people ask
Can I claim interest my parents paid for me?
Yes. The CRA says if someone else paid the interest, the student can still claim it as long as the loan is in the student's name.
Does a private bank loan qualify?
No. The CRA says loans that are not government student loans do not qualify.
What if I owe no tax this year?
You can carry the unused interest forward for up to five years. The CRA does not track it, so keep your own record.
Is it a refund?
No. It is a non-refundable credit, so it lowers tax payable but does not pay out beyond that.
Does your province have its own rules?
Provinces run their own student aid offices, and what they offer is not the same everywhere. Pick yours to see where to look. We remember your choice on this device only.