How to apply for a fuel tax refund for persons with disabilities

Once you register for the fuel tax refund program for persons with disabilities and receive your registration confirmation letter, you can apply for a refund. You’re eligible to get up to $500 back each calendar year for the provincial motor fuel tax you paid when fueling your vehicle in B.C. The refund amount cannot be transferred to the next calendar year.

Preparing your application

You can apply for a fuel tax refund for only one vehicle (the vehicle you registered with the program). We recommend you apply for a refund once each year as long as you’re requesting a refund for $10 or more (the minimum amount we can refund).

To apply for a fuel tax refund, complete the Application for Refund of Provincial Fuel Tax for Persons with Disabilities (FIN 472) (PDF, 340KB) and mail it to us along with your original fuel receipts.

If your spouse is eligible under your registration, they can apply for a refund by completing the Application for Refund of Provincial Fuel Tax for Spouses of Persons with Disabilities (FIN 474) (PDF, 400KB) and mail it to us with their original fuel receipts.

Important: You can only submit receipts for fuel that you purchased (in other words your name appears on the invoice or credit card used). Your spouse can only submit receipts for fuel that they purchased. If the fuel was purchased by someone other than you or your spouse, it cannot be claimed unless you are in a power of attorney or representation agreement situation. For more information see Bulletin MFT 004, Fuel Tax Refund Program for Persons with Disabilities (PDF, 164KB). 

Time limits

We must receive your refund application within four years from the date you paid the fuel tax.

For example, if you paid the fuel tax on April 10, 2017, we must receive your refund application by April 10, 2021. Any fuel receipts dated more than four years from the date we receive your application are not eligible.

Fuel receipts

You must include your original fuel receipts with your refund application. Your receipts must show:

1. The date you purchased the fuel
2. The type of fuel you purchased (gas, diesel or propane)
3. How many litres of fuel you purchased
4. The fuel seller's name and address

We don’t accept pre-authorized or prepaid fuel receipts as they may not represent the actual amount of fuel purchased.

One-time exception to fuel receipts

If you didn't keep your fuel receipts before you got your confirmation letter, we may accept other forms of proof. This one-time exception is only for fuel purchases made between your confirmed disability start date and the date of your confirmation letter (your registration effective date).

Forms of proof we may accept are:

• Your credit card or debit card statements showing the fuel you purchased in B.C.
• Your account statements showing the fuel you purchased in B.C.
• A statement signed by you for each calendar year you’re claiming that includes:
  • how many litres of fuel you purchased
  • the type of fuel you purchased (gas, diesel or propane)
  • the location in B.C. where you purchased the fuel
  • an explanation of how you determined how much fuel you used

Refund application review

We routinely review refund applications to verify the amount of tax you paid. As part of this review, we may request additional information from you. For example, if multiple credit cards were used to purchase fuel within a short period of time, we may ask you to provide proof that each of those credit cards are issued in your name. If we're unable to verify the amount of tax you paid, your refund amount may be reduced.