Tax season starts February 19, and here’s what you need to know

February 16, 2024

Ottawa, Ontario

Canada Revenue Agency

Filing your tax return every year allows the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to determine your entitlement for a refund and benefit and credit payments. These payments put money in your pockets and can help you stretch your budget. This year, you can start filing your income tax and benefit return as of February 19, 2024.

For the 2023 tax-filing season, there were more than 18 million refunds processed, and 78% of them were issued by direct deposit. Canadians who had a tax refund received an average of $2,262. In addition, parents may receive money through the Canada child benefit (CCB) to help with the cost of raising children younger than 18 years of age. The CCB may include the child disability benefit and any related provincial and territorial programs. Don’t miss out!

Here is what you need to know, how to prepare, and what's new this tax season.

Key dates

Where to find information

Not sure where to start? Visit our Get ready to do your taxes page for the latest tax information. We have eight steps that will help you prepare to file your tax return. Here are other resources that can help you:

Free tax help is available

If you need assistance with your taxes, help may be available. If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, volunteers at a free tax clinic may be able to file your tax return for you. You can visit a free tax clinic in your area, or you can make a virtual appointment. To find out if you’re eligible, and to find a tax clinic, go to the CRA’s Free tax clinics page.

What’s new in benefits, credits, deductions and other tax measures this year?

For workers
For farmers
For housing
For northern residents

Did you know? Here are quick tax facts about your province or territory of residence

Choose your province:

Alberta

Below are key statistics related to last tax year:

  • More than 3.1 million Alberta residents filed their tax returns online, which was over 94% of filers.
  • More than 64,700 Alberta residents registered for My Account.
  • More than 87,100 Alberta residents were helped by free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
  • Eligible Alberta residents received an average of:
British Columbia

Below are key statistics related to last tax year:

  • More than 3.9 million British Columbia residents filed their tax returns online, which was over 94% of filers.
  • More than 86,000 British Columbia residents registered for My Account.
  • More than 105,800 British Columbia residents were helped by free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
  • Eligible British Columbia residents received an average of:
Manitoba

Below are key statistics related to last tax year:

  • More than 970,000 Manitoba residents filed their tax returns online, which was over 94% of filers.
  • More than 21,300 Manitoba residents registered for My Account.
  • More than 36,800 Manitoba residents were helped by free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
  • Eligible Manitoba residents received an average of:
New Brunswick

Below are key statistics related to last tax year:

  • More than 606,000 New Brunswick residents filed their tax returns online, which was over 93% of filers.
  • More than 11,600 New Brunswick residents registered for My Account.
  • More than 27,800 New Brunswick residents were helped by free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
  • Eligible New Brunswick residents received an average of:
Newfoundland and Labrador

Below are key statistics related to last tax year:

  • More than 392,000 Newfoundland and Labrador residents filed their tax returns online, which was over 90% of filers.
  • More than 7,100 Newfoundland and Labrador residents registered for My Account.
  • More than 12,800 Newfoundland and Labrador residents were helped by free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
  • Eligible Newfoundland and Labrador residents received an average of:
Northwest Territories

Below are key statistics related to last tax year:

  • More than 29,000 Northwest Territories residents filed their tax returns online, which was over 97% of filers.
  • More than 480 Northwest Territories residents registered for My Account.
  • More than 990 Northwest Territories residents were helped by free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
  • Eligible Northwest Territories residents received an average of:
Nova Scotia

Below are key statistics related to last tax year:

  • More than 750,000 Nova Scotia residents filed their tax returns online, which was 93% of filers.
  • More than 16,700 Nova Scotia residents registered for My Account.
  • More than 35,100 Nova Scotia residents were helped by free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
  • Eligible Nova Scotia residents received an average of:
Nunavut

Below are key statistics related to last tax year:

  • More than 21,000 Nunavut residents filed their tax returns online, which was over 97% of filers.
  • More than 350 Nunavut residents registered for My Account.
  • More than 410 Nunavut residents were helped by free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
  • Eligible Nunavut residents received an average of:
Ontario

Below are key statistics related to last tax year:

  • More than 11 million Ontario residents filed their tax returns online, which was over 94% of filers.
  • More than 242,700 Ontario residents registered for My Account.
  • More than 224,600 Ontario residents were helped by free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
  • Eligible Ontario residents received an average of:
Prince Edward Island

Below are key statistics related to last tax year:

  • More than 123,000 Prince Edward Island residents filed their tax returns online, which was over 93% of filers.
  • More than 3,200 Prince Edward Island residents registered for My Account.
  • More than 6,000 Prince Edward Island residents were helped by free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
  • Eligible Prince Edward Island residents received an average of:
Quebec

Below are key statistics related to last tax year:

  • More than 6.3 million Quebec residents filed their tax returns online, which was over 91% of filers.
  • More than 96,300 Quebec residents registered for My Account.
  • More than 184,000 Quebec residents were helped by free tax clinics through the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program. In total, 540 Quebec organizations organized tax return preparation sessions in person or virtually.
  • Eligible Quebec residents received an average of:
Saskatchewan

Below are key statistics related to last tax year:

  • More than 820,000 Saskatchewan residents filed their tax returns online, which was over 94% of filers.
  • More than 16,100 Saskatchewan residents registered for My Account.
  • More than 29,300 Saskatchewan residents were helped by free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
  • Eligible Saskatchewan residents received an average of:
Yukon

Below are key statistics related to last tax year:

  • More than 29,000 Yukon residents filed their tax returns online, which was over 95% of filers.
  • More than 670 Yukon residents registered for My Account.
  • More than 1,100 Yukon residents were helped by free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.
  • Eligible Yukon residents received an average of:

Contacts

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

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