Canada tax filing help
For first time tax filers (you entered Canada in the tax year)
Before we dive in, there are two key points to keep in mind
This guide is for IEC participants with simple tax situations who entered Canada and became tax residents in the same year. If you arrived in a different year or are considered a non-resident for tax purposes, this information does not apply to you.
If you were a non-resident for tax purposes, or if you left Canada permanently during the tax year, you cannot file online, because there’s no software for these situations. In this case, you must file your tax return on paper.
Filing Deadlines
- April 30 – if you owe taxes
- June 15 – if you are self-employed
- Up to 10 years – if you are expecting a refund
Around February or March, you’ll receive your T4 slips from your employers. A T4 is a summary of your earnings and deductions for the year.
You need all your T4 slips to file your tax return.
If you had more than one employer, received employment insurance benefits (T4E), or earned interest income over $50 (T5), make sure to wait for all slips before filing. Refiling your tax return because a T slip arrived late can be a hassle and may take around four months to process.
Online filing opens end of February 2026 for the tax year 2025
The Canadian tax year is from January 1 - December 31
Let’s start - Which software do I use?
If you’re still in Canada and have a Canadian address, it’s pretty easy to file your own taxes if your situation is simple—for example, if you only earned employment income. Free tax software like Wealthsimple Tax works great for this.
> Here is the list of more tax software options.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a CRA account to file your taxes online.
When using the software, ignore any prompts to import your T4, register for a CRA account, or visit the CRA website—first-time filers can’t use those features yet. Just skip those steps and enter all your information manually.
How do I know I am a resident for tax purposes?
Wondering if you’re a resident or non-resident for taxes? Click > here to find out! <
There’s no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to determining your tax residency in Canada. While spending more than 183 days in Canada is one factor, it’s not the only one. What really matters are your residential ties—both in Canada and in your home country.
It’s also important to remember that Canada’s tax system is based on residency status, not immigration status.
In short, and to help you with the decision:
- Did your spouse/common-law partner and/or children accompany you to Canada?
- Did you buy or rent a home with a rental contract? (not as a roommate or in staff accommodation)
- Did you open a Canadian bank account?
- Did you buy a car?
- Did you exchange your driver’s licence in the tax year?
- Did you get health insurance with a Canadian province or territory?
If you can answer “yes” to the first two questions, you’ve likely established enough residential ties to be considered a part-year resident of Canada from your date of entry.
The other questions are considered secondary residential ties that can further support your tax residency.
In short, from the date you entered Canada and activated your IEC work permit, you are tax liable for your worldwide income—meaning you must report all earnings from inside and outside Canada on your Canadian tax return.
Here are some important links from the Canadian government you can use to determine your tax residency:
- The CRA has a guidance on tax residency determination > here <
- For more information on residential ties, see Income Tax Folio S5-F1-C1, Determining an Individual’s Residence Status
- If you are still unsure, you can fill out a form to get the CRA’s opinion on your tax situation (processing of this form could take a few months): Form NR74, Determination of Residency Status (entering Canada)
What is important to know as a first-time filer who entered Canada in the tax year?
When using the tax software, make sure to carefully answer all the questions—it’s important that your information is accurate.
One key question to look out for is:
“Did you become a resident of Canada for income tax purposes in [the tax year]?”
(See screenshot below)
If you entered Canada during that tax year, here’s how to answer:
- Select “Yes.”
- Enter your entry date.
- The software will then ask about your income before you arrived in Canada (the time when you were not yet a resident).
If this applies to you:
- Enter that amount in the “Foreign-source income” section.
- If you didn’t earn any income from January up to your arrival date, simply enter $0 in that section.
This income from BEFORE you entered Canada will NOT be taxed in Canada;
the software only needs it to calculate your allowance on the amount of tax credits.
It’s really important to complete this step correctly.
If you skip it and don’t report the date of entry, the software will assume you were a full-year tax resident, even if you only lived in Canada for part of the year. This causes it to calculate the full amount of tax credits, which isn’t accurate for part-year residents.
As a result, you could end up claiming tax credits you’re not entitled to—and may have to repay the money later.
The purpose of entering your entry date is to make sure the software knows you were only in Canada for part of the year. It then automatically pro-rates your tax credits based on how long you were a resident in Canada.
✅ You don’t need to do the calculation yourself — the software will handle it automatically.
For presentation purposes, here a very simple example:
The federal tax credit for the tax year 2025 is $16,129
You entered Canada on October 1, 2025
($16,129 : 366 days) x 92 days spent in Canada = $4,032.25
The software will automatically claim $4,032.25 in federal tax credits on your return.
Do you notice the difference compared to the full tax credit amount of $16,129?
Employers usually base their tax deductions on that full-year amount, which is why the numbers might not perfectly line up at tax time.
Depending on how much tax was already deducted from your pay, you may either get a refund or owe a bit back.
The same applies to provincial tax credits — the software will automatically pro-rate those too. Each province has its own specific credit amounts and rules.
Common questions for the tax return
Is tax filing mandatory in Canada?
You have to file taxes if any of the following applies to you.
- You have to pay tax for the year
- You want to claim a refund
- You want to claim the Canada workers benefit (CWB) or you received CWB advance payments in the year
- You want to claim the GST⁄HST credit
- The CRA sent you a request to file a return
- You were self employed and your total income for the tax year was over $3,500
The entire list >> here << on the official government homepage
I entered Canada in the tax year, but I didn't earn money in Canada. Do I have to file taxes?
In general, if you didn’t earn any income in Canada during the tax year (up to December 31), you don’t need to file a Canadian tax return.
For example, if you arrived in Canada in October but only started working in the next tax year, you’re not required to file for that first year.
However, you might be missing out on some extra money from the Canadian government if you skip filing.
If you established residential ties in Canada and can be considered a tax resident, it’s a good idea to file a return with $0 Canadian income and report your income from before you entered Canada (as explained in the steps above).
Why it’s a good idea to file a Canadian tax return, even with $0 income:
Claim government benefits and credits
- GST/HST credit: Paid quarterly to eligible residents.
- Canada Child Benefit (CCB): If you have children.
- Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR): Paid in provinces that participate.
Filing a return ensures the CRA has the info it needs to calculate these correctly.
After the first tax return, you can also register for a CRA online account, which allows you to:
- Show your residency status and keep your mailing address, personal info, and tax history up to date.
- Avoid delays with government benefits or future tax matters.
- Set up direct deposit so all future CRA payments, including next year’s tax refund, go straight into your Canadian bank account.
Can I file my Canada taxes online if I file for the first time?
Yes! Even if this is your first time filing, you should be able to file online.
Sometimes, though, the information in your CRA database might not match what your tax software has. If that happens, online filing won’t be possible, and you’ll need to file a paper return.
Don’t worry—this isn’t a big problem. You can simply print the tax return you created in your software, sign it, and mail it to the CRA.
You can find the correct mailing addresses > here < under “Resident individuals”
How long is the processing time for a Canadian tax return?
It depends on how you file your tax return.
- Online tax returns take about 8-10 business days.
- By regular mail as a resident: about 6-8 weeks
Does the CRA offer direct deposit to bank accounts?
Yes, the CRA offers direct deposit to Canadian bank accounts. However, your first tax refund will usually be issued as a cheque. Once your first return has been processed, you can:
to receive future tax refunds and other tax benefits into your Canadian bank account.
How do I get my T4 if my employer doesn't want to provide them?
Employers are required by law to issue a T4 slip by the last day of February. If you haven’t received yours by mid-March, contact your employer and ask for a copy. You can politely remind them that there is a late-filing penalty, starting at $10 per day. > Here is the link you can send them for more pressure. <
If you don’t get an answer, you have 2 more options that > are shown here. <
I had interest income in my savings account and did not receive a T5; should I include it in my tax return?
T5 slips are only issued by the bank, if the amount is over $50 for the tax year. Even if you don’t receive a T5, you still must report all income sources, including interest, on your tax return.
How do I proceed if I did remote work for an employer in my home country?
If you worked remotely for a company in your home country while living in Canada, things get a bit more complicated.
- You must report this foreign income on your Canadian tax return in the “Foreign Income” section.
- You may be able to claim a foreign tax credit for any taxes you already paid abroad.
Because of tax treaties and double taxation rules, it’s a good idea to consult a tax professional to avoid mistakes.
The same goes for self-employment income—it’s even trickier because of the many business expenses you may be able to claim.
It’s best to avoid regular taxback services like H&R Block—they may not handle your tax return correctly, especially if you have foreign income or part-year residency.
Instead, try searching for a CPA in your province (for example, “CPA + Alberta”) around tax time. While their services may cost more, they are familiar with cross-border taxation and tax treaties and can ensure your return is accurate.
How can I file my Canada taxes if I left Canada?
If you’d like some extra help with your Canadian tax return, Canadataxback can assist you. Canadataxback uses tax software designed for tax professionals, which can handle all kinds of situations—including entry and exit dates, non-resident status, and foreign addresses.
Since 2014, Canadataxback has been helping IEC participants with their taxes. The service fee is only $50, making it an excellent option compared to other taxback services.