Filing you income tax and benefit return with the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) for the first time can seem complicated. It can appear to be an even more intricate process for individuals who are new to Canada and have just secured their first full-time/part-time job. The CRA has broken down the steps for such individuals so they can fulfill their tax obligations in a hassle free manner.
The deadline to file your 2013 income tax return and pay any tax owing is April 30, 2014. Filing on time will ensure you receive your credits and benefits without delay or, if you owe taxes, avoid a late filing penalty. Twenty million Canadians took advantage of the CRA’s electronic filing services last year.
To file online, all you need is your social insurance number, your birth date, your income tax information, and access to certified software or a web application. The CRA provides a list of options at www.netfile.gc.ca/software; some can be purchased and some are free for everyone. The amounts to include in your tax return are those that appear on your various information slips and receipts. However, you don't need to send these documents to the CRA. If the CRA needs your slips or receipts, they will contact you at a later date.
More taxpayers are choosing to go paperless after discovering how convenient, easy, and secure filing online really is. And if you’re entitled to a refund, you can enjoy your money in as little as eight days if you combine online filing with direct deposit. And if you’re a benefit or credit recipient, direct deposit gives you access to your benefit and credit payments faster.
As a first-time filer, you may find completing a tax return confusing. Not sure where to begin? Go to www.cra.gc.ca/getready to learn some of the ways to reduce your taxes. You can also use the search function on the CRA’s website to get information on the online Learning About Taxes program, a self-paced learning unit that explains Canada's tax system and teaches you how to prepare a basic tax return.
If you’ve gone through the website and still need help filing your tax return, you can call 1-800-959-8281 and speak with a CRA agent, who will answer any questions you have.
If you have a modest income, and a simple tax situation, you can also contact the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, which runs volunteer tax clinics across the country. To find a volunteer tax preparation clinic, go to www.cra.gc.ca/volunteer.
With so many choices available to guide you through this tax season, there’s no excuse to delay filing your taxes.