Tax Tips from the CRA

Direct deposit allows the CRA to deposit your benefit payments and refund into your bank account so you don’t have to wait for a cheque in the mail. Register for direct deposit before filing online.
My Account helps you manage your tax affairs online, update your personal information, and view your personal income tax and benefit information. Sign up for email notifications for enhanced security.
Auto-fill my return automatically fills in parts of your return using information the CRA has on file. Register for My Account and use certified tax-filing software to use Auto-fill my return.
Express NOA lets you view your notice of assessment (NOA) in your certified tax software, right after the CRA has received and processed your return. You must be registered for My Account to use Express NOA.
ReFILE, available in all certified tax software, lets you make changes to your tax return if you forgot something, made a mistake, or want to make a change after receiving your notice of assessment. You can also change your return by using the newly improved and simplified “Change my return” option found in My Account.

Home office expenses for employees

You may be eligible to claim a deduction of up to $500 for home office expenses in the 2021 tax year using the temporary flat rate method, if you worked more than 50% of the time from home for a period of at least four consecutive weeks due to COVID-19. This method can also be used if your employer provided you a choice to work from home due to COVID-19 during this period.

Entering COVID-19 benefit payments on your tax return

Did you receive COVID-19 benefit payments in 2021? The Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) and Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) are all considered taxable and you will need to enter the total amount you received on your return.
If you received these benefits, a T4A information slip will be mailed to you by the end of February 2022. Residents of Quebec will receive a T4A slip and an RL-1 slip. T4A information slips from the Government of Canada for COVID-19-related benefits will also be provided online if you’re registered for My Account and have full access. T4A slips, including information for COVID-19-related benefits, are also available through the Auto-fill my return service in certified tax software. Visit our web page about benefit amounts on your T4A slip for more information.
If you are self-employed and received COVID-19 subsidies for your business, this assistance is taxable so you must report the amount of assistance you received when you file your income tax return.

Do you have a balance owing?

If you have a balance owing, paying it in full by the deadline will ensure interest isn’t charged. If you can’t pay all of your tax debt at once, please contact us as soon as possible. We can work with you to find a workable payment arrangement.

Benefits, credits, and deductions

You may be eligible for the Canada child benefit (CCB) or related provincial or territorial benefits. You may be able to deduct eligible child care expenses if you have a child.
Under proposed changes, if you are a resident of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or Ontario, and you are eligible and have filed your tax return, you will now automatically receive your climate action incentive payments four times a year, starting in July 2022. To receive your payments, you have to file a tax return even if you have not received income in the year. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, only one of you can get the credit for the family. The credit will be paid to the spouse or common-law partner whose tax return is assessed first. If you currently reside outside of a census metropolitan area (CMA) and expect to continue to reside outside of a CMA on April 1, 2022, fill out Schedule 14, Climate Action Incentive, as part of your tax return, to get the supplement for residents of small and rural communities as part of your benefit payment.
If you have a disability, you may be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). You can apply for the DTC by submitting a completed T2201 Disability Tax Credit Certificate form any time during the year.
Are you a northern resident? The northern residents deductions are available to those who permanently live in a prescribed northern zone or a prescribed intermediate zone for a continuous period of at least six consecutive months, beginning or ending in the tax year. To find out if you live in a prescribed zone, visit Line 25500 - Places located in prescribed zones. The residency deduction is based on how many days you lived in a prescribed zone during the tax year. Under proposed changes, the travel deduction is being expanded to be available to eligible northern residents who take a trip even if their employer does not provide travel benefits for personal travel.

Are you, your spouse or common-law partner self-employed?

The deadline for self-employed individuals and their spouse or common-law partner to file is June 15, 2022. All taxes owed must still be paid by April 30, 2022 (May 2, 2022, since April 30 is a Saturday). If you need to better understand your tax obligations, possible business deductions, and how to avoid common tax errors, we’re here to help you through virtual meetings with our Liaison Officer service.

Need help?

If you have a modest income, a simple tax situation and require assistance, a volunteer from the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (or Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program in Quebec) may be able to complete and file your tax return for free. Services are currently being offered both in-person and through virtual means such as video-conferencing. To find a clinic, please visit our website.

Want to help?

Consider becoming a volunteer if you want to help others get their benefits and credits.

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