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The Liberal government is considering taxing private health and dental plans, in a measure that would raise about $2.9 billion, sources say.

As many as 13.5 million Canadians have lower tax bills because health and dental benefits are not treated as taxable outside Quebec.

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Dan Lauzon, a spokesman for Finance Minister Bill Morneau, said no decisions have been taken and that any moves would not be made in isolation. The employee-sponsored health care tax exemption is being scrutinized as part of a sweeping review of 150 tax credits worth about $100 billion a year in foregone federal revenue.

Lauzon said the review is not being seen as a revenue-generating exercise.

The Department of Finance has asked seven external experts to look at the tax system to ensure that it is as fair, efficient and simple as possible.

It is understood the academics reviewed health and dental benefits, but it is not clear what they recommended.