Your SIN and your tax file.
Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is your tax number. Employers need it to pay you and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) uses it to track your returns and benefits.
- The tax year runs January to December
- Most people file by April 30 of the following year
- Employers deduct tax from your pay and send you a T4 slip
- You can file online with certified tax software, often free for simple returns
- Create a CRA “My Account” to see your slips, benefits and refunds
Five things that matter in year one.
Your arrival date matters
In your first year you’re usually taxed in Canada only from the date you became a resident. Keep proof of your arrival date.
Report world income after you arrive
Once resident, income from anywhere in the world is reported on your Canadian return. Tax treaties can prevent double taxation.
File even if you earned little
Benefits such as the GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit are based on your return.
Tell CRA about income before you arrived
New residents report their world income for the part of the year before arrival so benefits are calculated correctly.
Foreign property may need reporting
If you hold significant assets outside Canada, you may need to file an extra form. Check CRA’s rules or ask a professional.
Free and low-cost help is available.
You don’t need to pay a lot for a simple first return.
- Canada Revenue Agency: official guides for newcomers
- Free tax clinics: the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program runs free clinics for people with modest incomes
- Settlement agencies often host tax clinics in several languages
- A tax professional for foreign income, property or self-employment