Webinar - Newcomers to Canada

Transcript

Slide 1 — Benefit and credit payments for newcomers to Canada

Melanie: Hello, and welcome to the Canada Revenue Agency’s webinar for newcomers to Canada.

My name is Melanie and I’ll be your host for this session.

I’ll talk about the benefit and credit payments you can receive and the services we offer to help you with your taxes.

[A person embraces another person who is about to press the keyboard of a laptop that is on their lap.]

Slide 2 — Land acknowledgement

Melanie: Before we get started, I would like to respectfully acknowledge the territory in which we gather, as the ancestral unceded homelands of the Beothuk and the island of Newfoundland as the ancestral unceded homelands of the Mi’kmaq and Beothuk.

Given that we are meeting virtually, I also want to acknowledge the lands on which you are gathered from and invite you to take a moment of silence to have a thought for the territory in which you find yourself.

[Icon of an eagle, narwhal, violin, feather, ulu, and infinity symbol.]

Slide 3 — Outline

Melanie: During this presentation, I will cover:

• Canada’s tax system
• Residency status for income tax purposes
• Benefit and credit payments you could get, including the Canada Child Benefit
• The different ways to do your taxes
• The digital services offered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• And how to protect yourself from scams

Slide 4 — Canada’s tax system

Melanie: First, let me tell you more about the Canada Revenue Agency and what it does.

The Canada Revenue Agency is the federal government agency responsible for collecting taxes and administering various benefit and credit payments.

In Canada, the federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal levels of government all collect taxes. Today, we’ll be focusing on federal income tax.

Please note that for the rest of the presentation, I’ll be calling the Canada Revenue Agency “the CRA.”

Canada's tax system is based on self-assessment. Every taxpayer is responsible for doing their own taxes. As a taxpayer, you are responsible for:

• submitting your tax return every year by the deadline, which is generally April 30 every year
• giving accurate and complete information to the CRA to process your tax return
• reporting your income from all sources
• paying your balance owing, if you have one
• and notifying the CRA of any changes to your personal information as soon as possible, such as your address or marital status

It’s important to note that your immigration status and yearly tax return help the CRA determine your eligibility for benefit and credit payments as well as the amounts you receive. Some examples of benefit and credit payments are the Canada Child Benefit and the goods and services/harmonized sales tax, or GST/HST, credit. I’ll go over benefit and credit payments in detail shortly.

Slide 5 — Why do we pay taxes?

Melanie: Let’s start with why we pay taxes and where the tax money that is collected goes.

Taxes are mandatory payments made to a government, and they fund various public services, programs and benefits. The government collects taxes to pay for things such as airports, education, emergency services, health care, libraries, roads and social programs like Canada’s Resettlement Assistance Program, which helps refugees.

The taxes we pay in Canada also help put money into the pockets of students, families, newcomers, seniors and persons with disabilities. This money is distributed through benefit and credit payments.

It also funds income support programs such as Old Age Security and Employment Insurance to help people in our community.

[Multiple pictures: individuals in a community swimming pool, fire station, garbage collection, a bridge, medical professional speaking to an individual, children on a playground.]

Slide 6 — Do you have to do your taxes?

Melanie: As a newcomer to Canada, you are probably wondering whether you need to do your taxes.

Generally, you must do your taxes if you:

• have to pay tax for the year
• the CRA sent you a request asking you to do your taxes

There are advantages to doing your taxes. You should do your taxes every year if you:

• want to receive a tax refund
• want to begin or continue to receive benefit and credit payments that you may be eligible for, such as the Canada child benefit

[A hand of an individual on a laptop keyboard.]

Slide 7 — When do I have to do my taxes?

Melanie: The key to getting benefit and credit payments is doing your taxes on time! We know it can be a bit scary for some, but it’s so important. The CRA calculates the payments you can get based on your income. This is why you have to do your taxes even if you didn’t earn any income in the year.

The tax year for individuals follows the calendar year from January 1 to December 31.

For the first year you became a resident of Canada for income tax purposes, your total income should include your income from all sources from the date you entered Canada to December 31 of that year.

For example, if you arrived on June 1, 2023, you will have to report income received from June 1 to December 31, 2023.

The deadline to do and pay your taxes for the previous calendar year is April 30 every year. For the tax year ending December 31, 2023, the deadline is April 30, 2024.

When doing your taxes, keep your receipts or records for six years in case the CRA asks to see them later.

[Timeline. January 1 to December 31: individual tax year. April 30: deadline to do and pay your taxes.]

Slide 8 — New to Canada?

Melanie: Information on the topics I will be covering today can be found on our web page at canada.ca/new-to-canada-op.

Try scanning the QR code on your screen with your cell phone camera to go directly to our web page!

[QR code]

Slide 9 — Residential ties for income tax purposes

Melanie: You become a resident of Canada for income tax purposes when you have significant residential ties in Canada. Usually, you create these ties on the date you arrive.

 Residential ties may include:

• owning or renting a home in Canada for personal use
• having a spouse or common-law partner or dependents who move to Canada to live with you 
• owning personal property, such as a car or furniture
• having social ties to Canada, such as memberships to recreational or religious organizations

Other residential ties that may determine your residency status include a Canadian driver's licence, bank account or credit card, and health insurance with a Canadian province or territory.

[A student holds their laptop outdoors.]

Slide 10 — Determining your residency status – Non-resident

Melanie: On the other hand, you have not established significant residential ties with Canada if you:

• return to your home country on a periodic basis or for a significant amount of time in the calendar year
• move to another country when not attending school or not working in Canada. This is different from taking a vacation in another country
• don’t have a permanent place to live in Canada or give up your apartment or room
• don’t have personal property in Canada or get rid of your belongings such as your furniture or car

If you need help to determine your residency status for tax purposes, you can fill out Form NR74, Determination of Residency Status, and send it to the address on the form. The CRA will give you their opinion on your residency status.

To get the form, or for more information on determining your residency status, go to canada.ca/new-to-canada-op.

Slide 11 — Residency in Canada for tax purposes

Melanie: For income tax purposes, you are considered a newcomer for only your first tax year in Canada.

Depending on your residential ties and the duration of your stay in Canada, you are considered one of the following types of residents for income tax purposes:

• A resident if you have significant residential ties with Canada, regardless of the number of days spent in Canada
• A deemed resident if you do not have significant residential ties with Canada, but
  • you stay in Canada for 183 days or more in a calendar year, and
  • you are not considered a resident of your home country under the terms of a tax treaty between Canada and that country (To find a tax treaty, go to canada.ca/cra-tax-treaties)

  For example, a member of the Canadian Forces or an ambassador employed by Global Affairs Canada may be deemed to be residents of Canada.

• A non-resident if you stay in Canada for less than 183 days during the year and you do not have significant residential ties with Canada 
• A deemed non-resident, meaning you have significant residential ties with Canada but are considered a resident of another country with which Canada has a tax treaty

Please note that your residency status for income tax purposes is different from your immigration status.

Slide 12 — Social insurance number (SIN)

Melanie: To work in Canada and receive benefits and services from the government, you will need a social insurance number, also called a SIN.

A SIN is a 9-digit identification number that is confidential and unique to you. Your SIN should only be shared with trusted authorities under specific circumstances.

You will need to give your SIN to your employer when you start a job, to your school’s administration if you are attending post-secondary school and to your bank when you open an account.

You also need to provide your SIN to government agencies or departments to access a benefit or service, such as when doing your taxes.

In the wrong hands, your SIN could lead to an identity theft and loss of government benefits. Someone could use your SIN to commit fraud or create debts in your name. Someone could also use your SIN to work illegally. In this case, the CRA may expect you to pay tax on income you did not receive. You are the only person who is supposed to use your SIN and you are responsible for keeping it safe.

SINs are issued by Service Canada. To find a Service Canada office near you, go to canada.ca/service-canada-office or call the toll-free number at 1-800-622-6232. For more information on applying for a SIN, go to canada.ca/social-insurance-number or call 1-866-274-6627.

Slide 13 — What to do if you do not meet the eligibility criteria for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Melanie: If you or your spouse do not meet Service Canada’s eligibility criteria for a SIN, you can still do your taxes and apply for some benefits and credits with the CRA.

To do so, send us your tax return or benefit and credit application with a note explaining why you or your spouse cannot get a SIN.

Along with the note, include a photocopy of any document that proves your or your spouse's or common-law partner's identity.

This document could be:

• a passport
• a driver’s licence
• a proof of birth, or any document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada such as a study permit or a temporary resident permit.

The CRA will then give you a temporary tax number that you can use until you get your SIN. You can use it on your application forms and on your taxes.

It is important to use the same first and last names in all your interactions with the CRA.

If you have more than one first or last name, make sure you always use them in the same order.

If you have only one name, whether it is a first name or a last name, you should enter it as a last name. This will ensure that it is recognized correctly in the CRA’s systems.

Slide 14 — Total income – All sources

Melanie: To do your taxes in Canada, you’ll need to understand your total income.

Your total income includes your income from all sources inside and outside of Canada. 

You can receive many different types of income. Employment income includes any income you receive from your job. Your total income also includes tips or gratuities you receive from your job and different types of scholarships or grants.

Slide 15 — Total income – Non-taxable sources

Melanie: In Canada, some sources of income are non-taxable and do not have to be reported on the income tax return.

For example, this can include benefit and credit payments that you may be getting from the government, like the GST/HST credit and Canada child benefit which we will cover in more detail shortly. It can also include any money or gifts received from parents or family members or money you transferred from your foreign bank account into your new Canadian bank account.

To know what to report as income, go to canada.ca/doing-your-taxes.

Slide 16 — Frequently asked question 1

Melanie: Throughout the presentation, I will go over some common questions the CRA gets.

The first question is: I came to Canada in August 2023 and started working in February 2024. Do I need to do my taxes in 2024?

The answer is: Even if you did not have any income in 2023, you should still do your taxes. Your tax return will cover the period when you were in Canada in 2023, so in this scenario, from August to December 2023. It will be used to calculate any benefits and credits you might be entitled to.

Slide 17 — Frequently asked question 2

Melanie: Another frequently asked question is: My family back home sends me money every month to help me pay my living expenses.

Should I report this amount as income?

The answer is: Money received as a gift from a parent or guardian to help you while you reside in Canada is non-taxable and you do not need to declare it when you do your taxes.

Slide 18 — Frequently asked question 3

Melanie: Here’s another frequently asked question: Do I have to report income earned from driving for Uber? I only do it on weekends and earn less than $200 a week.

The answer is: Regardless of how much time you spend driving your vehicle for fares, you must report all income, including tips, on your income tax and benefit return.

The goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) applies to all ridesharing fares. You must register for, collect and send the GST/HST to the CRA regardless of the amount earned from ridesharing services.

Slide 19 — Benefit and credit payments for which you may be eligible

Melanie: As a newcomer to Canada, you may be able to get benefit and credit payments right away.

 I will go over the Canada child benefit, the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (or GST/HST) credit, the disability tax credit, the child disability benefit and the Canada dental benefit.

To find more information about each benefit and credit payments visit canada.ca/child-family-benefits.

The provinces and territories also have several benefit and credit payments available. Applying for the CRA benefits is the first step towards getting them.

Let’s see how you can get and keep getting the benefits.

[Two individuals sitting on a couch smiling, reading documentation, with an open laptop sitting on a table in front of them.]

Slide 20 — Canada child benefit (CCB)

Melanie: Let’s begin with the Canada child benefit, or CCB for short.

The Canada child benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18.

Each year, it may provide up to $7,437 for each of your children under 6 years of age and up to $6,275 for each child aged 6 to 17.

You need to apply for all children in your household if you have not applied previously and nobody is receiving it for them.

[An individual using a laptop while two children are doing homework in the background.]

Slide 21 — Are you eligible for the Canada child benefit (CCB)?

Melanie: To be eligible for the CCB, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• You must live with the child and the child must be under 18
• You must be primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child
• You must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes

You or your spouse or common-law partner must also be one of the following:

• A Canadian citizen
• A permanent resident
• A protected person
• A temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months and who has a valid permit in the 19th month
• An individual who is registered, or entitled to be registered, under the Indian Act 

Slide 22 — When should you apply for the Canada child benefit (CCB)?

Melanie: You should apply for the CCB as soon as possible after you move to Canada and meet the eligibility criteria, after your child is born, after a child starts to live with you, or as soon as you or your spouse or common-law partner meet all of the eligibility conditions.

You should apply even if you share custody of a child or a child is living with you for a determined temporary period.

A primary caregiver can be the child’s parent, grandparent or another family member.

[An individual holds a young child in his arms.]

Slide 23 — How do you get the Canada child benefit (CCB)?

Melanie: Those new to Canada can apply for the CCB by filling out two forms and mailing them to the CRA. You can find these forms online.

 The first form is RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application.

• When you send the form, include your child’s proof of birth. This documentation should indicate the child’s first and last name and date of birth. It can be a photocopy of the child’s birth certificate, passport, or any document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, such as the child’s permanent resident card, confirmation of the child’s permanent residency or a temporary resident permit. If the documents are not in English or French, you must provide a translation.
• You only have to apply once to get the CCB for a child. If you have another child, you’ll have to send another application for them. 

The second form is RC66SCH, Status in Canada and Income Information for the Canada Child Benefits Application.

• On this form, you will have to include information about your and your spouse or common-law partner's immigration and residency and citizenship status
• You’ll also need to provide your income from all sources, including income not reported on a Canadian tax return, even if it’s zero. You may have to include information for up to two years prior to entering Canada, depending on the date you became a resident of Canada.

To find these forms and learn how to apply, go to canada.ca/canada-child-benefit.

Slide 24 — Frequently asked question 4

Melanie: Here’s another frequently asked question:

What is the difference between a benefit and a credit?

The answer is: A benefit is a payment to help you with the cost of living and raising a family in Canada.

 You can usually use a form to apply for a benefit at any time of the year.

Some examples include:

• The Canada child benefit
• The child disability benefit

 A credit helps you reduce the amount of taxes or expenses paid while you are a resident of Canada for income tax purposes. Claim it on your tax return by the April 30 deadline. 

 If you need to receive the GST/HST credit and the Canada Carbon Rebate payments (formerly known as the Climate Action Incentive Payment) earlier, you can apply by form before you file your first tax return. These two credits are paid to you four times a year.

There are refundable tax credits and non-refundable tax credits. Depending on the type of credit, the amount of tax you owe will either be smaller, zero or you will get a refund.

Some examples include:

• The disability tax credit and
• The tuition tax credit

Slide 25 — GST/HST credit

Melanie: Have you noticed that when you buy goods or services, the merchant charges you a federal tax known as the goods and services tax, or GST, and a provincial tax known as the harmonized sales tax, or HST. In Quebec, the provincial tax is called the Quebec sales tax, or QST.

The GST/HST credit is a tax-free payment for people with low and modest incomes. It helps offset the GST and HST paid on goods and services. You do not need to keep receipts from all of your purchases.

To get the credit, do your taxes every year, even if you have no income.

The CRA will use this info to confirm whether you are eligible and how much you will get.

[A hand holding a pen filling in a form on a table.]

Slide 26 — Applying for the GST/HST credit and the Canada Carbon Rebate

Melanie: As a newcomer to Canada, you may be eligible for the GST/HST credit and Canada Carbon Rebate payments as soon as you arrive in Canada.

Like the GST/HST credit, the Canada Carbon Rebate is a tax-free payment paid four times a year. It is paid to help individuals and families offset the cost of federal pollution pricing.

It is only available to residents of Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan.

If you have no children, you can apply for the GST/HST credit and the Canada Carbon Rebate payments by completing Form RC151, GST/HST Credit and Canada Carbon Rebate Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada.

If you have children under 18, applying for the CCB using forms RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application and RC66SCH, Status in Canada and Income Information for the Canada Child Benefits Application will automatically determine your eligibility for these benefits.

On these forms, you have to include your income outside Canada for the year you became a resident of Canada and from the year before, or two years before, depending on the date you became a resident. It is important to report your income, even if it was zero, because the CRA needs this information to calculate your payments.

You only have to apply once in the year you became a resident of Canada. After that, the CRA will use the information from your tax return when you do your taxes every year to calculate the amount to which you’re entitled.

To get the form, go to canada.ca/gst-hst-credit.

Slide 27 — Frequently asked question 5

Melanie: Here’s another frequently asked question:

What is the difference between a refundable and a non‑refundable tax credit?

The answer is: Refundable and non-refundable tax credits are claimed on your taxes and both reduce the amount of tax you may have to pay.

Once your amount of tax payable has been reduced to zero, the remaining balance of refundable tax credits is paid to you, while non-refundable tax credits are not paid to you.

 As an example, let’s say you owe $600 in taxes.

 In situation A:

• You are entitled to a $700 refundable tax credit
• It reduces what you owe to zero plus you get a $100 refund

In situation B:

• You are entitled to a $700 non‑refundable tax credit
• What you owe is reduced to zero and you do not get any refund for the remaining balance of $100

Now, we’re ready to jump in and learn more about other benefits and credits you may be entitled to.

Slide 28 — Disability tax credit (DTC)

Melanie: In Canada, we recognize that persons with disabilities face many barriers including additional costs.

The disability tax credit, DTC for short, is a non-refundable tax credit. You can reduce the amount of income tax you may have to pay by 15 percent of the total of your non-refundable tax credits.

The purpose of the DTC is to provide some relief for unavoidable, additional costs that result from living with a disability.  

Being eligible for the DTC can also provide access to other federal, provincial and territorial programs, such as the registered disability savings plan, the Canada workers benefit disability supplement and the child disability benefit.

To learn more about the DTC, visit canada.ca/disability-tax-credit.

[An individual sitting in a chair wheel at a desk, working on a laptop.]

Slide 29 — Child disability benefit

Melanie: The child disability benefit is for families who care for a child under 18 who is eligible for the Canada child benefit and the Disability tax credit. It is a tax-free payment of up to $3,173 annually per eligible child.

If you are already receiving the Canada child benefit for a child in your care who is eligible for the disability tax credit, you do not need to apply for the child disability benefit. It will be automatically included with your CCB payments.

The child disability benefit is paid monthly to the person who receives the Canada child benefit for that child.

For more information on the child disability benefit, go to canada.ca/child-disability-benefit.

[Young child sitting on the floor playing with toy blocks.]

Slide 30 — Canada Dental Benefit

Melanie: The Canada Dental Benefit provides financial support for families who have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000, and have out-of-pocket dental care expenses for their children under 12.

Depending on your net income, your non-taxable Canada Dental Benefit payments could be as high as $650 per child, per benefit period.

If you are a parent or guardian of eligible children under 12 years old, you will have to attest that:

• Your child does not have access to private dental insurance; and
• Your child’s dental costs are not fully covered by another dental program provided by any level of government.

To apply, remember that:

• you need to be receiving the Canada Child Benefit for the child.
• your taxes must be up to date; and
• you must keep your receipts or records from your dental appointments for six years.

Slide 31 — Canada Dental Benefit – How to apply?

Melanie: The current benefit period covers dental care services your child received or will receive between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. You have until June 30, 2024 to apply for this period.

The quickest, easiest and most secure way to apply for the Canada Dental Benefit is through My Account. If you apply online and are signed up for direct deposit, you could receive your payment within five business days!

If you are unable to apply online or would prefer to call us, you can apply by calling 1-800-715-8836.

Visit canada.ca/dental and access more information on the Canada Dental Benefit.

Note that the Canada Dental Benefit is a temporary benefit. It will soon be replaced by the new Canadian Dental Care Plan, which we will briefly go over in the next slide.

Slide 32 — Canadian Dental Care Plan

Melanie: The Canadian Dental Care Plan will still help ease financial barriers to accessing oral health care for eligible Canadian residents with an annual adjusted family net income of less than $90,000 who do not have access to dental insurance.

You may be eligible to apply for the new Canadian Dental Care Plan if you:

• have an adjusted family net income of less than $90,000
• do not have access to dental insurance and
• filed a tax return the previous year

[QR code]

[Two oral health care professionals provide care to a patient.]

Slide 33 — Application schedule by age group

Melanie: Applications will roll out in phases starting with seniors. If you are 70 years old and older, you may receive a letter by March 2024 with instructions on how to apply.

If you are aged 65 to 69, you can apply online starting in May 2024.

Adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate and children under 18 can apply starting in June 2024. All remaining eligible Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 65 will be able to apply online starting in 2025.

Slide 34 — Frequently asked question 6

Melanie: Let’s continue with a couple more frequently asked questions.

Why do I have to provide the income I earned outside of Canada in past years on my application for benefit payments? Will I be taxed on that income?

The answer is: No. You will not be taxed on the foreign income information you provide on your application form.

The CRA asks for this information to calculate your benefits. The amount to which you are entitled is based on your income from the previous year.

For example, your income from 2023 will be used to calculate the benefits you receive from July 2024 to June 2025.

Slide 35 — Frequently asked question 7

Melanie: I am single and came to Canada in September 2023 as a temporary resident with my child. Am I eligible for the Canada child benefit?

The answer is: As a temporary resident in Canada, you will be eligible for the Canada child benefit once you have lived in Canada for 18 months and continue to hold a valid temporary resident permit in the 19^th month. To be eligible, your permit must not state “does not confer status” or “does not confer temporary resident status.”

You may be entitled to the GST/HST credit and the Canada Carbon Rebate as soon as you arrive in Canada.

Slide 36 — Frequently asked question 8

Melanie: I live in Canada with my child but my spouse lives outside of Canada. How do I apply for the CCB?

The answer is: If your spouse or common-law partner is not a resident of Canada, to apply for the CCB, you will need to fill out Form CTB9, Income of Non-Resident Spouse or Common-Law Partner for the Canada child benefit, and send it to the CRA for each year or part of a year that they are a non-resident of Canada.

If your spouse moves to Canada, they must complete a tax return every year even if they have no income to report.

Slide 37 — Use the Benefits Finder and the online calculator

Melanie: To find out which benefits you may be eligible for, you can use our Benefits Finder online at canada.ca/benefits-finder. Answer a few questions and the Benefits Finder will customize a list of benefits for you.

You can also use the CRA online calculator. To see how much you could get in child and family benefits, go to canada.ca/child-family-benefits-calculator.

[Calculator]

Slide 38 — Tips and CRA digital services

Melanie: In the next few slides, we will give you tips on how to go online and use some of the CRA’s digital services.

[A smiling adult and child looking at a website on a tablet computer.]

Slide 39 — There are a few ways to do your taxes!

Melanie: There are a few ways to do your taxes:

The fastest way to do your taxes is online. Certified software is available to make online filing easy; and some software products are even free. The tax software guides you and calculates everything for you. Find more information at canada.ca/netfile.

Volunteers may be able to help you do your taxes for free. There are free tax clinics hosted by community organizations across Canada for those with a modest income and simple tax situation. We’ll give you more information on this program on the next slide.

You can also get help from a family member, a friend or a tax preparer.

You can also do your taxes on paper. To do this, download a tax package, fill out the paper forms and mail them to the CRA. Filing a tax return by paper can take up to 10 to 12 weeks to process. To get a package, visit canada.ca/taxes-general-package. You can also order paper copies by mail by calling the CRA at 1-855-330-3305.

Slide 40 — Forms, guides and publications

Melanie: Perhaps you are in a specific situation that we have not covered today.

There are specific Forms and publications for non-residents and for individuals who resided in Canada for a portion of the year that you may be interested in.

For example, Guide T4058, Non-Residents and Income Tax can give you answers if you were a non-resident and you were employed in Canada, carried on business in Canada, or disposed of a taxable Canadian property.

Or, Pamphlet T4055, Newcomers to Canada, if you arrived in Canada in 2023.

These guides and other handy publications, like Form NR74, Determination of Residency Status (Entering Canada) and Income Tax Folio S5-F1-C1, Determining an Individual’s Residence Status are also available on our website.

If you prefer, you can order them in paper format.

Slide 41 — Free tax help

Melanie: As I mentioned, you may be eligible to have your taxes done by a volunteer at a free tax clinic if you have a modest income and a simple tax situation.

The program is called the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, or CVITP for short. In Quebec, it’s known as the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program, or ITAVP for short.

Generally, a modest income is less than $35,000 for a single person and less than $45,000 for a couple.

Your tax situation is simple if, for example, you don’t have a small business or income from a rental property.

Tax clinics are held all year. However, most clinics are offered in March and April.

To find a clinic near you, go to canada.ca/get-tax-help.

[Logo of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. Several silhouettes all in different colors arranged in a circle with their arms touching. In the center it is written: “People helping people.”]

Slide 42 — Keep your personal information up to date

Melanie: Along with doing your taxes every year, you must keep your personal information up to date to keep getting benefits and credits.

This includes:

• your address
• your marital, residency and citizenship status
• the number of children in your care, and
• your direct deposit information

You can update this information using the CRA’s My Account, MyBenefits CRA mobile application, by mail, or an agent can assist you by phone.

[An older individual sitting with smiling.]

Slide 43 — My Account for individuals

Melanie: I’ve already mentioned My Account during today’s presentation and now I’ll cover it in more detail.

You will be able to access My Account once you send your first tax return to the CRA and receive a notice of assessment.

My Account is a secure portal that lets you view your personal income tax and benefit information and manage your individual tax affairs online.

You can track your refund, view or change your return, check your benefit and credit payments and statements, manage direct deposit, change your personal information, view any uncashed cheques and view your CRA mail online, such as your notice of assessment.

To sign up, go to canada.ca/my-cra-account.

[Screenshot of My Account overview page.]

Slide 44 — Frequently asked question 9

Melanie: We often get questions from those trying to access My Account for the first time.

Here’s one: What should I do if I receive an error message every time I try to register for My Account?

The answer is: You can only register for the CRA’s My Account once you do your taxes for the first time and receive your notice of assessment.

Slide 45 — Digital services

Melanie: Auto-fill my return is a secure CRA service that automatically fills in parts of your return. It makes it easier to do your taxes and helps to prevent mistakes.

Direct deposit is a fast, reliable and secure way for individuals to get payments from the CRA on time. It can be particularly important in the event of an emergency or unforeseen circumstances.

Email notifications help prevent fraud. They let you know when changes are made to your personal information in My Account or when there is mail to view online.

For more information on the CRA’s digital services, visit canada.ca/cra-digital-services.

Slide 46 — Have you received a letter from the CRA? Do not worry!

Melanie: The CRA will sometimes send you a questionnaire or letter if more information is needed and to make sure you’re getting the right benefits and credits.

If you get one of these letters, don’t ignore it. You need to respond as soon as possible and send any requested information to the CRA. Often, the CRA will ask for documents to confirm that it has the most up-to-date information for you, like your marital status, proof that you are the primary caregiver of a child, or your address.

 If you don’t have the documents, need some extra time to gather them or don’t understand what we’re asking, just let the CRA know by calling the number on the letter.

The CRA needs this information to calculate your benefits and credits.

If you don’t respond, your benefit or credit payments will stop and you may be asked to repay the payments you already received.

[Individual sitting down on the floor looking over documentation.]

Slide 47 — Need help?

Melanie: Depending on your situation, you may want another person to call the CRA on your behalf. This might be helpful if you find it hard to communicate in English or French, or for other reasons.

Taxpayer information is confidential. The CRA needs your permission to deal with another person, such as a family member, friend or accountant, who may act as your representative for income tax and benefit matters.

You can authorize a representative to have access to your personal tax account through My Account, or, if you would like to authorize a representative to communicate on your behalf with the CRA by phone, fax, mail or in person, you can complete a paper Form AUT-01, Authorize a Representative for Offline Access, and send it to the CRA.

Make sure to choose someone you can trust!

You don’t need to authorize someone as a representative if that person is only doing your taxes.

Slide 48 — Be scam smart!

Melanie: You should always be cautious if you receive communication that claims to be from the CRA.

It is possible to receive a direct communication from the CRA. We may, for example, need you to provide information about your account or ask you to clarify something you’ve shared with us.

We will not ask you for your credit card or passport number or use threats or intimidation tactics.

Scammers often attempt to imitate the CRA to try to steal your personal information. They may target you by telephone, text, instant message, email or mail.

Here’s how you can be scam smart:

• never be afraid to question why the CRA needs your personal information
• when in doubt, check My Account to see if you have mail or any amount owing
• you can also call the CRA to check on communications
• if still in doubt – delete, delete, delete!

Learn the signs of a scam at canada.ca/be-scam-smart.

[Text on top of an individual's head reads, "Listen to your voice of reason before you act."]

Slide 49 — Want to learn more about taxes?

Melanie: We would like to invite you to try our online interactive tool called Learn about your taxes.

The learning tool currently has 7 modules and 29 lessons to help you through your tax filing journey.

For instance, lessons cover topics like what’s on your pay stub and T4 slip, tax tips for when you are working for yourself, how to read your notice of assessment and useful information if you work as a freelancer or for an online platform for taxi or other specialized services.

Throughout all of the modules, you will find definitions, tips, quizzes, videos and infographics.

The Learn about your taxes tool is regularly updated with new content! Go to canada.ca/learn-about-taxes to dive in and check it out.

[A snapshot of the Learn about your taxes webtool homepage.]

Slide 50 — Thank you

Melanie: And that’s all for me! This is the end of the webinar. Thank you for joining us today. We hope it was helpful!

You can access factsheets and other products by visiting our Outreach materials to print and share webpage at canada.ca/outreach-materials. Besides English and French, we have products available in Arabic, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Pashto, Dari, Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian. There is also a short video on benefit and credit payments for newcomers to Canada available in 13 languages.

You can call the CRA if you have any questions at 1-800-959-8281.

Thank you for listening and enjoy your day!

Stay connected:

Twitter: @CanRevAgency

Facebook: canrevagency

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Instagram: @canrevagency

LinkedIn: cra-arc

[A smiling individual wearing a veil who embraces two young children, one of whom kisses them on the cheek.]