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Taxes and benefits
Filing an income-tax return may start or maintain benefits even if you earned little or no income.
When you arrive
- Apply for a social insurance number to work and access programs, then protect it as confidential information.
- Tell the CRA your entry date, family status, address, and requested world income so it can calculate certain benefits.
- Keep tax slips, statements, child-care receipts, medical expenses, and notices of assessment.
Returns and benefits
- File every year by the deadline even if no tax is owing, and promptly update your address and marital status.
- Check the Canada Child Benefit, Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit), and Alberta benefits.
- Free tax clinics may help eligible people with a simple tax situation.
Official links and useful services
- Taxes for newcomers to Canada — opens the external site
- Apply for a social insurance number — opens the external site
- Benefits and credits for newcomers — opens the external site
- Free tax clinics — opens the external site
Keep in mind
The CRA never demands immediate payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer under threat of arrest.
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