Canadian Tax Filing Guides: CRA Returns, CGEB, and Deadlines
Complying with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requires understanding personal tax returns, credits, and provincial deductions.
In Canada, residents file their annual T1 Income Tax and Benefit Return by April 30. Self-employed individuals have until June 15 to file, though any balance owing must still be paid by April 30 to avoid interest charges. Filing an annual return is essential even with zero income to trigger federal and provincial benefit payments, including the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB, formerly the GST/HST credit), and the Canada Carbon Rebate. Our step-by-step guides explain setting up CRA My Account, understanding T4 and T5 tax slips, deducting eligible expenses, and claiming provincial credits.
All Taxes Guides (CAN)
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Most residents file a T1 income tax return each spring. The T1 is Canada's personal income tax return. The deadline is April 30. For self-employed people, it is June 15. File even if you have no income. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), the Canada Child Benefit, and other payments only start once you file. NETFILE-certified software walks you through the return. It sends the return straight to the CRA. First-year residents file a part-year return for the time they were resident.
9 steps · 1–3 hours with software · Free (CRA-certified software) or $0–$40 for paid tiers; $100+ with an accountant2026-Latest
CRA My Account lets you see your Notice of Assessment. It also shows your RRSP and TFSA contribution room, and your benefit payments. Most important, it has Auto-fill My Return. This imports every slip the CRA already holds. Register with your SIN and one of three ways to prove your identity. Full access needs a one-time code. The CRA mails it to your address.
7 steps · 20 minutes + up to 2 weeks for the mailed security code · Free2025-Latest
Employees who work from home can deduct home office expenses. But they need a signed T2200 from their employer. The detailed method claims a share of your rent, your utilities, and more. The temporary flat rate was $2/day. It ended in 2022. The detailed method remains.
7 steps · 1–2 hours · Free2025-Latest
A T5 reports investment income over $50. It covers bank interest, dividends, and capital gains distributions. Each box maps to a specific line of your T1. And the dividend tax credit means eligible dividends are taxed at a lower rate in the end.
7 steps · 30–60 minutes · Free2025-Latest
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and essential rules for taxes in Canada.
When is the personal income tax filing deadline in Canada?
The general deadline for filing your T1 income tax return is April 30. If you or your spouse are self-employed, the filing deadline is June 15, but any balance owing must still be paid by April 30 to avoid interest.
Why should new immigrants file a tax return in Canada with no income?
Filing your first tax return registers your residency with the CRA. It automatically calculates your entitlement to federal and provincial quarterly benefit payments, such as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) and Canada Child Benefit.
How do I access CRA My Account online?
You can register for CRA My Account online using your Social Insurance Number (SINSocial Insurance Number — Your 9-digit Canadian work and tax number. You need it to work, open accounts, and receive benefits.Click for official info ↗), date of birth, postal code, and information from a recently assessed tax return. You can also sign in using a Canadian financial institution Sign-In Partner.