Webinar – Every dollar counts – Get your benefits and credits!

Transcript

Slide 1 - Every dollar counts: Get your benefits and credits!

[Speaker]: Hello, and welcome to our Every Dollar Counts webinar presented by the Canada Revenue Agency, or CRA for short.

This session is designed especially for individuals and families with modest incomes. Today we’ll explore how filing your taxes can help you access valuable benefits and credits that you may be eligible for, some of which you might not even know about!

Slide 2 - Land acknowledgement

[Speaker]: The Canada Revenue Agency would like to acknowledge the prosperous lands across the nation that sustain us and enrich our lives. We recognize and extend our gratitude to the Indigenous peoples who have cared for these lands and who continue to guide us in building respectful relationships rooted in the spirit of reconciliation.

We invite you to take a moment to reflect on your own connection to the land from which you are joining us today, and to honour the Indigenous caretakers who have shaped, and continue to shape, its ongoing story.

[Visual]: An eagle, narwhal and fiddle icon.

Slide 3 - Overview

[Speaker]: Today we’ll explore how filing your taxes can help you access important benefits and credits, even if you have little or no income, or your income is tax-exempt.

We’ll look at different ways you can file your taxes, including free options available to you.

You’ll learn how to keep your personal information current with the CRA, and how to protect yourself from scams.

You will also be introduced to the CRA’s free online tool called Learn about your taxes, which helps build your understanding of taxes and the tax system.

And finally, I’ll share how CRA outreach services can support you or your organization.

The goal is to make sure you’re not missing out, because every dollar truly does count. 

Slide 4 - Canada child benefit

[Speaker]: The Canada child benefit, or CCB for short, is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under the age of 18.

The amount you receive depends on:

• your family’s net income
• the number of children you have in your care, and
• the ages of the children.

 You could get up to:

• $7,997 for each child under 6, and
• $6,748 for each child aged 6 to 17.

To receive the CCB, you must apply for all children in your household. If you haven’t applied before and no one else is receiving the benefit for the children, apply as soon as possible.

Filing your taxes every year is essential, even if you had no income or your income is tax-exempt. This allows the CRA to calculate your payments accurately. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they must also file their taxes.

If you don't file your taxes every year, or are late filing, any benefit and credit payments you are eligible for will stop until you are filed up-to-date and your returns are assessed by the CRA.

Next, we’ll go over who is eligible for the CCB and how to apply.

[Visual]: An individual and 2 young children are sitting and reading a book together.

Slide 5 - Are you eligible for the Canada child benefit?

[Speaker]: To be eligible for the CCB, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• You live with a child who is under 18 years old
• You are primarily responsible for the child’s care and upbringing.
• You are a resident of Canada for tax purposes.

[Visual]: An individual on a couch with a baby on their lap, holding coffee and using a laptop.

Slide 6 - Are you eligible for the Canada child benefit?

[Speaker]: In addition, 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; or
• an individual who is registered, or entitled to be registered, under the Indian Act. 

Slide 7 - Who is considered the primary caregiver?

[Speaker]: You are primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child if you:

• supervise the child’s daily activities;
• make sure the child’s medical needs are met; and
• arrange for childcare when necessary.

If a child welfare agency is legally and financially responsible for the child, then you are not considered the primary caregiver. In that case, the agency may receive the Children’s Special Allowances for their care. 

Slide 8 - Indigenous kinship caregivers

[Speaker]: You may be eligible for the CCB if you live with and care for a child under a kinship or close relationship program recognized by a provincial, territorial, or Indigenous governing body.

For example, a child may be placed in the care of a grandparent, extended family member, or close friend without being brought into the legal custody or guardianship of the province or territory. 

[Visual]: An individual holding a child outdoors.

Slide 9 - Do you share custody of your child?

[Speaker]: If you share custody of the child, it can affect your payments. 

The CRA considers it a shared custody situation when the child lives with each parent at least 40% of the time at different addresses, and both are primarily responsible for the child’s care. In these cases, each parent receives half of the payment they would get if the child lived with them full time. 

If both parents live in the same home, this does not count as shared custody.

[Visual]: Two individuals baking together in a kitchen.

Slide 10 - When should you apply for the Canada child benefit?

[Speaker]: You should apply for the CCB as soon as your child is born, after a child starts to live with you, or after you or your spouse or common-law partner meet the eligibility conditions. 

Apply even if you share custody, or the child lives with you temporarily, for a set period of time.

[Visual]: An individual holding a baby, both smiling.

Slide 11 - How to apply for the Canada child benefit

[Speaker]: If you meet all eligibility criteria, you can apply in one of three ways: 

You can use the Automated Benefits Application when you register your newborn’s birth with your province or territory. This service is not available in Nunavut.  

You can apply online in My Account. 

Or, you can fill out Form RC66, Canada Child Benefit Application, and mail it to the CRA. 

Consider using My Account or the Automated Benefits Application option to avoid potential delays with mail. 

If you apply online in My Account or by mail, you will need to provide proof of the child’s birth, such as a birth certificate or passport. Apply only once, submitting multiple applications using a different method may delay your payments.  

If you have another child, after you’ve applied, you’ll need to apply for them and any subsequent children separately. 

Slide 12 - Goods and services tax/harmonized sales (GST/HST) credit

[Speaker]: Let’s look at one of the CRA’s most common credits, the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax credit, or GST/HST credit. 

The GST/HST credit is a quarterly tax-free payment for people with low and modest incomes. It helps offset the GST or HST they pay on goods and services.  

To get it, do your taxes every year, even if you have no income to report. The CRA will confirm if you are eligible and for how much.

[Visual]: An individual using their laptop outside on a table.

Slide 13 - Eligibility for the GST/HST credit

[Speaker]: You may be eligible for this credit if you are a resident of Canada and at least one of the following:

• you are 19 or older before the month when the CRA issues a payment;
• you have, or previously had, a spouse or common-law partner; or
• you are, or previously were, a parent and live, or lived, with your child.

No separate application is needed, the CRA automatically assesses your eligibility when you file your taxes.

Slide 14 - Canada workers benefit

[Speaker]: While the GST/HST credit helps offset the cost of everyday purchases, the Canada workers benefit, or CWB for short, supports individuals and families who are working but earning a low income. 

The CWB is a refundable tax credit designed to help with the rising cost of living. It has two parts:  

A basic amount, available to eligible individuals and families, and a disability supplement for those with an approved disability tax credit certificate on file with the CRA. 

To be eligible, you must:

• be at least 19 years old by the end of the year (or live with a spouse, common-law partner, or child).
• earn working income.
• and have a net income below a certain threshold, which varies depending on your family situation. 

You can claim the CWB when you file your taxes. If eligible, you may also receive advance payments throughout the year.  

For 2025, the maximum basic amount is $1,633 for single individuals, or $2,813 for families. Amounts may differ for residents of Alberta, Nunavut, and Quebec. 

If you are eligible for the disability tax credit, or DTC, you may also be eligible for the CWB disability supplement of up to $843 for the 2025 tax year.  

For more information on the CWB and how to claim it, visit canada.ca/canada-workers-benefit.

[Visual]: An individual with visible tattoos on the neck.

Slide 15 - Disability tax credit (DTC)

[Speaker]: The DTC is a non-refundable tax credit that helps people with disabilities, or their supporting family members, reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay.   

Even if you do not have taxable income, there are other benefits to applying for the DTC. Being approved can help you access other federal programs such as the child disability benefit, the Canada workers benefit disability supplement, the registered disability savings plan, or RDSP for short, and the new Canada Disability Benefit. I will speak more on some of these programs shortly.

[Visual]: An individual is sitting on a couch in a living room, using a smartphone, with a visible prosthetic leg.

Slide 16 - Child disability benefit

[Speaker]: The child disability benefit is for families caring for a child under 18 who is eligible for the Canada child benefit, or the CCB for short, and the DTC. It is a tax-free payment of up to $3,411 annually per eligible child and is paid along with the monthly CCB payment.

[Visual]: A child with a prosthetic leg sitting on the floor and stacking wooden blocks.

Slide 17 - Registered disability savings plan (RDSP)

[Speaker]: A registered disability savings plan, or RDSP, helps those who are approved for the DTC save for their long-term financial security. 

The Government will pay a maximum of $3,500 in matching grants in one year, and up to $70,000 over the beneficiary's lifetime. 

For eligible modest-income families, the Government will also pay into the RDSP with the Canada Disability Savings Bond of up to $1,000 per year for a maximum of $20,000 over the beneficiary’s lifetime. No personal contributions are necessary. Once a plan is opened through a financial institution, bond payments will be automatically deposited into the RDSP of beneficiaries who meet the income threshold.  

Grants and bonds are only available up until December 31st of the year that the beneficiary turns 49 years old.

Slide 18 - Canada Disability Benefit

[Speaker]: The new Canada Disability Benefit provides financial support to persons with disabilities who are 18–64 years old, approved for the DTC, and have a modest income. 

The first month of eligibility was June 2025 and payments began in July. Eligible recipients can receive up to $200 per month. 

The Canada Disability Benefit is administered by Service Canada. For more information and to apply, visit canada.ca/disability-benefit.

Slide 19 - Multigenerational home renovation tax credit

[Speaker]: The multigenerational home renovation tax credit is a refundable tax credit that you can claim on your tax return.

If you are eligible, claim this credit for certain renovation expenses spent to create a self-contained secondary unit. The secondary unit must allow an adult 65 years of age or older, or an adult who is eligible for the DTC, to live with a qualifying relative.  

The tax credit for 2025 is 14.5% of your costs, up to a maximum of $7,250, for each claim you are eligible to make.

[Visual]: Five individuals, including two children, cooking and interacting in a kitchen.

Slide 20 - Use the online benefits tools

[Speaker]: Before we move on, I want to share two online benefits tools with you. 

The first, the Benefits Finder, can help you find out what federal, provincial or territorial benefits you may be eligible for. To use it, go to canada.ca/benefits-finder and answer a few questions. It will customize a list for you.   

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

Now let’s talk about the most important step to getting benefit and credit payments: doing your taxes.

Slide 21 - Ways to do your taxes

[Speaker]: There are a few ways to do your taxes.   

The fastest and easiest way is to do them online. If you are eligible, you can use certified software, some of which are even free on canada.ca. The software guides you through the process, calculates everything, and helps make sure you don’t miss out on any benefits and credits. Depending on the software, you can also use the “Auto-fill my return” feature, which can automatically retrieve your slip information from the CRA and populate the tax return for you.   

If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, a volunteer may be able to do your taxes for you at a free tax clinic. 

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

Finally, you can do them on paper by downloading a tax package for your province or territory, filling out the forms on a computer or by hand and mailing them to the CRA.   

To find out more, visit canada.ca/taxes-get-ready.

Slide 22 - SimpleFile

[Speaker]: If you have a lower income and a simple tax situation, you may be eligible to file using SimpleFile services in as little as 10 minutes!   

If you received an invitation letter from the CRA, it contains the information you need to use SimpleFile to file your return. To use the SimpleFile services, you will need to confirm your identity and answer a few short questions.  

If you live in Quebec, you will need to do your provincial tax return separately.  

SimpleFile services open on March 9, 2026, which is a little later than previous years. Check your CRA account or your mail in early March to see if you’re invited. 

If you don’t receive an invitation but have a lower income and a simple tax situation, you may still be able to use SimpleFile. 

To find out more, visit the SimpleFile services webpage at canada.ca/simplefile and try the new questionnaire which will be available starting on February 23, 2026.

[Visual]: An individual working on a laptop at a table while two children draw nearby.

Slide 23 - "Let Us Help You Get Your Benefits!" Indigenous Credit and Benefit Short Return

[Speaker]: Indigenous Peoples may be able to file a tax return using the Let Us Help You Get Your Benefits! Indigenous Credit and Benefit Short Return, provided they meet the eligibility conditions listed on the form. If not eligible, individuals can file their return using one of the methods I mentioned in the previous slide. 

Forms are available from local friendship centres, community representatives, band council offices, Service Canada offices, or a Northern Service Centre. If they don't have any forms on hand, they can order them for you. 

Forms vary by province or territory; the example shown is from Ontario.

[Visual]: Let Us Help You Get Your Benefits! Indigenous Credit and Benefit Short Return

Slide 24 - Free tax help

[Speaker]: As I mentioned, you may be able to get your taxes done by a volunteer for free!   

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

You may be eligible for help at a free tax clinic if you have a modest income and a simple tax situation. Generally, a modest income is less than $40,000 for a single person and less than $55,000 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.

Community organizations that partner with the ITAVP offer free tax return preparation sessions and do not accept any payment for the preparation of federal returns. For Quebec provincial returns, minimal fees may be charged, provided that they comply with Revenu Québec guidelines.  

For more information or to find a clinic, go to canada.ca/taxes-help. 

[Visual]: The logo for the community volunteer income tax program. 

Slide 25 - Need help?

[Speaker]: The CRA needs your permission to deal with another person, such as a family member, friend or an accountant, who may act as your representative for income tax and benefit matters.  

You can give permission to another person in your My Account, or on paper by filling out Form AUT-01, Authorize a Representative for Offline Access, and sending it to the CRA. Note that if you use the paper form option, you can only authorize a representative to communicate on your behalf with the CRA by phone, fax or mail, or in-person, with no online access.

Slide 26 - Have you received a letter from the CRA? No need to worry!

[Speaker]: After filing your taxes, or at any time, the CRA may send you a letter or questionnaire to confirm your eligibility for benefits and credits. 

If you receive one, don’t ignore it. Respond as soon as possible. They may ask for documents to update your information, such as your marital status, proof that you're the primary caregiver of a child, or your address. 

If you need more time, don’t have the documents, or aren’t sure what’s being asked, contact the CRA. This information helps the CRA calculate your benefit and credit payments. If you don’t respond, your payments may stop, and you could be asked to repay amounts already received.

[Visual]: An individual holding a tablet and a piece of paper.

Slide 27 - In a situation of abuse?

[Speaker]: The CRA understands that certain situations can affect your access to benefit and credit payments, and we’re here to help.

You will never be required to contact an abusive spouse or common-law partner to provide information to the CRA.

If you're experiencing abuse or violence and cannot get the requested documents, you can send any of the following instead:

• a letter from a trusted third party explaining your situation, such as a member of:
  • the clergy
  • a band council
  • a shelter or
  • a resettlement office
• a copy of a restraining order or protection order, or
• a copy of a police report

Once you've submitted one of these documents, no further action is needed on your part, and your review will end.

For more information, visit canada.ca/abuse-situation.

Slide 28 - Frequently asked question

[Speaker]: A common question we hear is: Will I stop receiving my benefit and credit payments from the CRA if I experience homelessness or housing insecurity?

The answer is no.

Your benefit and credit payments from the CRA are based on your income and residency status, not your housing situation. Even if you're experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, you can still receive the support you're entitled to. 

To ensure you continue receiving payments without interruption, make sure your personal information, especially your mailing address and banking details are up to date in My Account. 

If you don’t have a permanent address and are staying in a shelter, you can use the shelter’s address to keep getting your payments and mail from the CRA.

For more details and resources, including support for those experiencing housing insecurity, visit canada.ca/housing-insecurity.

Slide 29 - My Account for individuals

[Speaker]: Keeping your information up to date is just as important as submitting documents. 

My Account is an online portal in your CRA account that lets you manage your tax and benefit information quickly, conveniently, and securely.   

Along with doing your taxes every year, you must keep your personal information up to date with the CRA to keep getting benefit and credit payments.    

This includes your address, marital status, and the number of children in your care. You can update all this information in My Account.  

You can also do the following: 

• Track your refund, view, or change your tax return. 
• View mail, such as your notice of assessment, online.
• Check your benefit and credit payments and statements.  
• Apply for the disability tax credit and track the status of your application.
• And much more!

 For more information, or to register for a CRA account to access My Account, go to canada.ca/cra-sign-in-services.

[Visual]: A screenshot of the CRA account overview page in My Account.

Slide 30 - Want to learn more about taxes?

[Speaker]: Next, we’ll take a quick look at a free online learning tool from the CRA called Learn about your taxes. It’s easy to use and helps people understand how taxes work and how to do a basic return. Let’s watch a short video to see how it works.

** Video transcript**

Feeling out of the loop when it comes to taxes? We’ve got you covered!

Learn about your taxes is a free online learning tool from the Canada Revenue Agency.

It’s designed for everyone – whether you’re a student, doing your taxes for the first time, or just looking for a clear and easy-to-follow introduction to taxes in Canada.

We provide short videos, interesting lessons, and fun quizzes to improve your knowledge.

You can learn about starting a job, how to file your taxes, and what benefits and credits are available. You’ll get the info you need to file like a pro!

We also explain how Canada’s tax system works, why taxes matter, and how they help millions of Canadians every day. Including you!

What you learn could help you get benefits, credits or claim deductions for extra money in your pocket.

To learn more or get started, go to canada.ca/learn-about-taxes.

Slide 31 - Let’s work together!

[Speaker]: In addition to its free online learning tool, the CRA is committed to helping individuals understand the benefits of filing their taxes, including the benefits and credits they may be eligible for, and the supports available to complete their income tax and benefit returns. 

Through partnerships with community organizations across the country, the CRA’s Outreach Program expands its reach by delivering information sessions and sharing educational materials. 

Through the Outreach Program, CRA outreach officers can:

• lead information sessions for your employees or community;
• participate in an event;
• provide handouts for your community;
• offer information on how to get benefit and credit payments; and
• deliver training workshops.

To learn how the CRA can help your organization support your community’s needs, scan the QR code on the slide or visit canada.ca/cra-outreach.

[Visual]: A QR code with black dots.

Slide 32 - Be scam smart!

[Speaker]: You should always be cautious if you receive correspondence or calls claiming to be from the CRA. Scammers imitate the CRA to try to steal your personal information by targeting you by telephone, text, instant messaging, email, or mail. They may demand payment right away, threaten you, and try to get your personal and financial information.   

The CRA may legitimately contact you by phone, automated message, letter, or email to ask you about your account or clarify something you’ve shared. So how do you tell the difference between a real and scam call from the CRA? The CRA will not ask you for personal or financial information in a voicemail, email or text message.  

When in doubt, check My Account to see if you have an amount owing.  

Learn about recognizing and reporting scams at canada.ca/be-scam-smart.

[Visual]: Screenshot of the Be Scam Smart webinar slide with the yellow triangle with exclamation point inside that reads: Some scams are easy to spot. Some are not. canada.ca/be-scam-smart .

Slide 33 - Thank you!

[Speaker]: That brings us to the end of today’s webinar.

For more information on any of the topics we covered today, including resources tailored for Indigenous Peoples, details on tax-exempt income, and available benefits, visit canada.ca/every-dollar-counts. You can also listen to the Canada Revenue Agency’s Taxology podcast for helpful tax-related information.

We also encourage you to visit our Upcoming Events page at canada.ca/cra-outreach-events to view past recordings and register for upcoming webinars.  

Did you know that you can find answers to most of your questions in minutes by using the tools found at canada.ca/cra-skip-the-line? You can use the new GenAI chatbot, access your CRA account, and find answers to your most frequently asked questions. Best of all? There is no waiting!

If you still can’t find what you’re looking for online, and you live in the territories and have an 867-area code, call 1-866-426-1527.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech impairment and are registered with the Canada Video Relay Service, dial 272-877 within the application to get help from an agent.

Stay connected with the CRA on Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Thank you for joining us, we hope you found the session helpful and informative.

Miigwetch!  

[Visual]: A QR code with black dots.

[Visual]: Icons for social media platforms: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.