Making Gym Memberships Tax Deductible - Thoughts?

[phd1969]

I was at Goodlife today and they had this form/petition to sign to make gym memberships tax deductible. There's an obvious reason why the fitness industry would want to make membership tax deductible.

I think the whole thing is a farce, Goodlife doesn't care about saving healthcare money, they just want to make more money on people signing up for the year but only going for a month. And there's no way in hell I would want my tax dollars going to lazy bums like that.

People already know smoking kills you, but they still do it. Getting fat and eating junk does the same but Canadians are still overweight.

[runamuck]

I was at Goodlife today and they had this form/petition to sign to make gym memberships tax deductible. There's an obvious reason why the fitness industry would want to make membership tax deductible.

I think the whole thing is a farce, Goodlife doesn't care about saving healthcare money, they just want to make more money on people signing up for the year but only going for a month. And there's no way in hell I would want my tax dollars going to lazy bums like that.

People already know smoking kills you, but they still do it. Getting fat and eating junk does the same but Canadians are still overweight.


tax dollars wont go to the club..they'll go back in ur pocket as you'll be able to claim it towards reducing your income..

like when you make a donation to a listed charity(tax deduciton)... vs. when you see the doctor (paid for with taxes)

[phd1969]

Yes I know the deductible will go back into my pocket. But that's just for my own membership.

If this plan goes through you will see tons more people signing up for a year membership at a gym but only going for a month. But even if they go for a month, they are still going to claim the year membership as a tax deduction thus the government will be taking in less tax dollars.

And as everyone knows, when the government gives they will take from somewhere else. Just like how the Conservatives lowered the GST but raised income tax, pretty much eliminating the 1% GST savings.

In the end this program is suppose to encourage healthier living but will most likely do nothing ... I was just pretty upset that Goodlife would pull this BS and hopefully people aren't that stupid to fall for it.

[B40]

It's good... obesity places a big burden on our health care system... they should also start taxing unhealthy fast food place and other unhealthy items.

www.youdeserveabreak.ca

[phd1969]

This is a money grab from the fitness industry. Not only will individuals take advantage of this but also more businesses will start a gym membership program for their employees.

I don't really feel like paying for other people's gym membership when they can go outside and walk for free if they wanted to lose weight.

[B40]

In the end this program is suppose to encourage healthier living but will most likely do nothing ... I was just pretty upset that Goodlife would pull this BS and hopefully people aren't that stupid to fall for it.

How do you know that? And why are you bringing Goodlife into this?

The site/campaign is not run by Goodlife (great gym btw ;))
http://youdeserveabreak.ca/en/about-actnow.html

[phd1969]

Yes but Goodlife is part of the Fitness Industry and they are backing this initiative. You can find a blurb about it on their website.

I do agree that obesity puts a major burden on healthcare but there is no proof that people that go to the gym use the healthcare system any less. You can workout as much as Arnold but that's not going to help when you get hit by a car. Hell I would guess that active people have a higher risk of visiting the emergency room than obese people that watch television all day. You know the guys that break their bone mountain biking, tear their ACL playing soccer, crack their skull rollerblading, etc.

[B40]

Yes but Goodlife is part of the Fitness Industry and they are backing this initiative. You can find a blurb about it on their website.

I do agree that obesity puts a major burden on healthcare but there is no proof that people that go to the gym use the healthcare system any less. You can workout as much as Arnold but that's not going to help when you get hit by a car. Hell I would guess that active people have a higher risk of visiting the emergency room than obese people that watch television all day. You know the guys that break their bone mountain biking, tear their ACL playing soccer, crack their skull rollerblading, etc.

Here is the proof:

# A study by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US has recently estimated that each physically-active person saves the health care system over $300 annually relative to an inactive person. Based on this, the 63% of Canadians who are still inactive cost the health system $5.7B more than if they were active.

# In a Study done in 1995 for the Ontario Government called The Relationship between Physical Fitness and the Cost of Health Care, it was estimated that OHIP medical claim costs could be reduced by $31 million a year if all Ontario adults (aged 20-69) had at least an average level of fitness.


Please read:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/pau-uap/fitness/work/why3_e.html

Thank you.

[usagisisa]

I think the idea is great! It is about time the government supports preventative strategies for healthcare. The cost to Canadians to care for and treat people with cardiovascular disease, and this will only rise as more Canadians develop type II diabetes, which can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle.....the old ounce of prevention vs pound of cure arguement!Remember, we have the best healthcare system in the world, but just because we don't pay out of pocket it doesn't mean it is FREE!!! Although it may seem like a money grab by supporting gyms, honestly, it is just good business. I would hope that my gym would have all of the details and promote the program when attracting new members, and, for existing gym-goers, keep them up to date on the situation. The tax break would be more than welcome!

;)

[babytee]

I think it's a great idea. I have heard this a few years ago. Making a gym membership tax deductible.

[Blunt]

If this plan goes through you will see tons more people signing up for a year membership at a gym but only going for a month. But even if they go for a month, they are still going to claim the year membership as a tax deduction thus the government will be taking in less tax dollars.


Hello!!! I guarentee that the cost of a yearly member will be WAY WAY more than what you will be getting in return from your taxes. Only a very stupid person will pay for a few hundred dollars to get twenty back 30% of that in taxes.

Hey, I say if it makes people goto the gym, great. But I'm sure anyone who doesn't currently go, this will not be enough to make them go. My workplace will subsidize a gym membership by 50% and no one takes advantage of it.

[toalan]

have you ever seen the president of goodlife? The guy looks like he has an allergy to wieghts.

[Frankie3s]

tax dollars wont go to the club..they'll go back in ur pocket as you'll be able to claim it towards reducing your income..

like when you make a donation to a listed charity(tax deduciton)... vs. when you see the doctor (paid for with taxes)

I think the cost of gym memberships would definitely increase in cost if you can write the membership off. So it is proably better if they just leave it alone.

[pfdude]

So the OP is complaining that the people who get a membership and only show up for the first month will get a tax refund? Are you Stephen Harper?!

What about the people who actually do go 12 months out of the year? We should suffer because those other people are getting fat?

[ill_mango]

I would love it if gym memberships were tax deductible.

I myself didn't join a gym because the costs were prohibitive. Now that I get a corporate plan, I can afford to join. That means I can continue to run in the winter and stuff, so I wont get those cold weather pounds.

Making the membership tax deductible will encourage more people to be healthy, and that is something that I think we should do, especially if we want our healthcare system to "work" far into the future.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A healthy population goes to the doctor less, and is just better in general.

[d_jedi]

I like the idea.. one of the problems with our healthcare system is we only treat problems after the fact, rather than preventing them from happening in the first place too much of the time.

Alternatively (or perhaps in addition).. what about allowing the public to use publicly funded fitness equipment (ex. in high schools, when it's not otherwise in use.. ex. on weekends)? The increased cost for maintenance should be minimal *, but the benefit could be great.

* not verified in any way.

[jedijome]

I like the idea.. one of the problems with our healthcare system is we only treat problems after the fact, rather than preventing them from happening in the first place too much of the time.

Alternatively (or perhaps in addition).. what about allowing the public to use publicly funded fitness equipment (ex. in high schools, when it's not otherwise in use.. ex. on weekends)? The increased cost for maintenance should be minimal *, but the benefit could be great.

* not verified in any way.

i agree d_jedi. promoting a healthy lifestly is far better than treating people once they're sick. it's far cheaper and it's better for everyone, except maybe the medical industry.

[daisyville]

Frankly, I've always thought this would be a good idea.

First of all, the tax savings don't go to the club, they go to you. But here's the hitch: I think that it should only be deductable, for those Canadians who register with their tax return some key benchmarks for health, which would include BMI, heart rate, cholesterol, and whatever else the health experts see as indicators of good health.

Then, in the next tax year, if there is an improvement in that taxpayers BMI or heart rate or cholesterol if they were at risk, or a maintenance of these indicators if they were not at risk, then, a list of eligible expenditures for an upset limit could be claimed as expenses one incurs to either maintain good health, or improve their health.

If the factors don't change for those who may be identified in an "at risk" category - no deduction. If the factors remain in a healthy range - then deduction allowed.

Obviously this would never fly because there would be outrage over privacy and sharing personal health information with Revenue Canada, but I know many Canadians would agree that those who flat out ignore their health and who are at the very least, at risk of being a bigger burden on the health care system, should throw a few benefits to those who do spend the money to at least try and beat the odds for health risks.

[gman]

1. If you go to gym often, you should be more healthy. Hence, visit doctor office less. Hence, you use less health care money. Personally, I am a lot more healthy since I joined a gym (Goodlife). I probably saved the government a few hundred every year.

2. Not many people who is dumb enough to spend MORE to get a tax break (that is to make his own bottom line worse) by buying an annual membership but using for a month. These people probably would do that regardless if there is a tax break or not.
Would you spend $300 for a "dummy" annual membership because you can get $50 in return (I just throw in some numbers because I am sure it won't be 100% deductible).

3. If you are already a member of a gym, extra money goes to you.

4. Yes, if the demand of gym is higher because of the tax break, they probably will raise the price. Hopefully, for the new member only.

[Firebot]

Yes I know the deductible will go back into my pocket. But that's just for my own membership.

If this plan goes through you will see tons more people signing up for a year membership at a gym but only going for a month. But even if they go for a month, they are still going to claim the year membership as a tax deduction thus the government will be taking in less tax dollars.

And as everyone knows, when the government gives they will take from somewhere else. Just like how the Conservatives lowered the GST but raised income tax, pretty much eliminating the 1% GST savings.

In the end this program is suppose to encourage healthier living but will most likely do nothing ... I was just pretty upset that Goodlife would pull this BS and hopefully people aren't that stupid to fall for it.


I think you have absolutly no clue what the heck a tax credit is. First off all, people are not gonna spend money they wouldn't have spent before and sign for a month at a gym, just to get a tax credit at 10% or so. You sign up for a membership wasting 40$ to get 4$ back from the government? That would be beyond stupid.

The government also doesn't get that much money from gym memberships you know...Canada is not THAT healthy!

No wonder people think Harper's GST reduction is seen as disastrous by the liberals...they can't do math! Especially if you think Harper actually raised the income tax:lol:

A gym membership tax credit would be a great idea, just like Harper's idea for public transit pass credit was.

I don't really feel like paying for other people's gym membership when they can go outside and walk for free if they wanted to lose weight.

Yet you feel it's ok for you to pay for a fat person's weight related problems when they could live a healthy lifestyle for free if they wanted? Healthcare costs a heck of a lot more then a gym membership btw.

[seshwan]

Sounds like a great idea. Where do I sign?

[B40]

Sounds like a great idea. Where do I sign?

You can sign an online petition type thing at www.youdeserveabreak.ca

[chococrazy]

I disagree with making it tax deductible. I'd rather see them making physical education classes mandatory for longer in high school. I'd also rather see them use the money for keeping pools in schools instead of closing them down, for updating old sports equipment, to hire more nutritionists and dieticians, and to work towards better food choices in cafeterias (ok I realize this is mostly board/provincial and not federal but still :)).

Reducing our taxes, the people who can afford a gym membership? Puh-leeze. It would just be another tax break for the people that can afford it the most.

[green blue]

Its just another facet of gym's high presure sales routine. If the government wants to spend $$$ to improve fitness of Canadains (which is a great idea), lining the pockets of gym salesmen is not the way to go about it.