Brush up on your tax literacy for back to school

September 7, 2023

Ottawa, Ontario

Canada Revenue Agency

It’s time to hit the books again! As you’re getting ready to go back to school, there are some important things about benefits, credits, and taxes to keep in mind. Get organized now so you’ll get the benefits and credits that you’re entitled to and save yourself some headaches later.

Apply for benefits and credits

Check out our benefits and credits factsheet for students for everything you need to know; here are some important things to be aware of:

Registered Education Savings Plan changes

Registered education savings plan withdrawal limits have been increased as of March 28, 2023. The new limits include an increase from $5,000 to $8,000 in the first 13 weeks of enrollment in a qualifying educational program (full-time studies), and from $2,500 to $4,000 in any 13-week period while enrolled in a specified educational program (part-time studies). Check out RESP payments, transfer and roll over RESP property for more information.

Tuition, education, and textbook expenses

School can be expensive. You may be able to claim an education-related deduction or a credit on your taxes. These can include: tuition fees, education and textbook amounts, interest paid on student loans, and moving expenses.

International students

If you are an international student aged 19 or older studying in Canada, you could be eligible for GST/HST credit and Climate action incentive payments even before filing your first tax return. Visit Benefits, credits, and taxes for newcomers for details on how to:

Learn about your taxes

Wish you had learned more about taxes in school? Look no further! Learn about your taxes is a self-paced online learning tool to help you understand what taxes are, how to do them, and what is in it for you. We want to empower you to do your own taxes and to make sure you know about the benefits and credits you could be eligible for. We have got 5-minute lessons, fun quizzes, and snappy videos to break down everything you need to know.

Working while you go to school

Are you working while you go to school? Here are some things to keep in mind:

Free webinars

Join us for our free webinars that give you everything you need to know about scams, as well as benefits and credits for students and international students. Check out our Upcoming events.

Digital services

Take advantage of our digital services and make life easy:

Free tax clinics

Does the thought of doing your taxes make you nervous? You don’t have to do them alone! You may be able to get help at a free tax clinic in-person or online. Free tax clinics are generally offered between March and April across Canada, but some are open year-round. Tax clinics can be in person or virtual. Find the right clinic for you.

Free tax clinics are always looking for volunteers and are a great way to give back to your community while gaining valuable experience for your resume. Visit Volunteer at a free tax clinic - Canada.ca for more information.

Contacts

Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
613-948-8366
cra-arc.media@cra-arc.gc.ca

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