As a newcomer to Canada, it can be a little scary and sometimes overwhelming to file your income tax returns, especially if you come from a country that does not require any filings. This article will fill in the basics of tax filings in Canada, the applicable tax rate in each province/territory, and how you can get help doing your taxes.
Do you need to do your taxes?
Doing your taxes is mandatory and is part of your responsibility as a taxpayer. Even with no income, doing your taxes will get you the benefits/credits you could be eligible to, such as the GST/HST tax credit, the Canada child benefit and the Climate action incentive payment.
When is the tax return due?
Tax return has to be done on or before the 30th of April following the closing of the fiscal year (1st January to 31st of December).
If you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed individuals, you have to send your tax returns no later than the 15th of June following the closing of the fiscal year. However, you still have to pay your owed taxes for the fiscal year before the 30th of April.
If you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed individuals, you have to send your tax returns no later than the 15th of June following the closing of the fiscal year. However, you still have to pay your owed taxes for the fiscal year before the 30th of April.
Do you need help with filing your tax returns?
You might get help from a free tax preparation clinic, open from February till April, if you have modest income (income < $35,000 for one person) and a simple tax situation (income comes from employment, benefits, etc.).
For more information (eligibility and tax clinic locations), see this page.
How to fill out your income tax return
If it is your first time, you need to file your tax return on paper. You can collect these forms, known as T1, from any Canada Post office, and mail it directly to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The address of the CRA depends on your place of residence, please check this link to find yours.
Step 1: Collect all your supporting documentation
Step 2: Choose the software you will to use to fill out your return
You can fill out your tax return by using a NETFILE-certified software product.
You will end up with a .tax file that you will have to upload to the NETFILE CRA website (step 6).
Step 3: Notify the CRA of any important change in your life
If you had a child, moved or got married for example, you need to notify the CRA.
Step 4: Report your income
Report the income amounts you receive during the fiscal year, both inside and outside Canada.
Step 5: Find out if you can have deductions, expenses and tax credits
You can claim deductions and tax credits on your tax returns to reduce the amount of tax you have to pay.
Step 7: Keep your supporting documentation
You have to keep all supporting tax documentation for at least 6 years in case the CRA asks for them, including receipts.
When will you get your refund?
If you are entitled to benefits, you will receive your refund under 8 days by filling out online, versus 8 weeks by filling out on paper.
Estimate you benefits if eligible
You may be eligible for the GST/HST credit and WITB tax benefits, if your income is below a certain level. You can calculate what you might receive here.
How do you pay if you owe the CRA?
There are several payment methods. Visit this page for more information.
What taxes are you paying?
You will usually need to pay three different types of taxes:
- Income tax
- CPP (Canadian Pension Plan)
- EI (Employer Insurance)
What are the tax rates for 2023-2024?
Federal income tax rates for 2023-2024
| 2023 Tax rates | 2024 Tax rates | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal | • 15% on $53,359 or less, + • 20.5% on $53,359.01 up to $106,717, + • 26% on $106,717.01 up to $165,430, + • 29% on $165,430.01 up to $235,675, + • 33% on $235,675.01 and more. |
• 15% on $55,867 or less, + • 20.5% on $55,867.01 up to $111,733, + • 26% on $111,733.01 up to $173,205, + • 29% on $173,205.01 up to $246,752, + • 33% on $246,752.01 and more. |
Provincial/Territorial income tax rates for 2023-2024
In addition to the federal income tax rates above, you will need to add the tax rates of your province of residence.
| Province / Territory Filter: | 2023 Tax rates | 2024 Tax rates |
|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | • 8.7% on $41,457.01 or less, + • 14.5% on $41,457.01 up to $82,913, + • 15.8% on $82,913.01 up to $148,027, + • 17.8% on $148,027.01 up to $207,239, + • 19.8% on $207,239.01 up to $264,750, + • 20.8% on $264,750.01 up to $529,500,+ • 21.3% on $529,500.01 up to $1,059,000, + • 21.8% on $1,059,000.01 and more. | • 8.7% on $43,198 or less ; + • 14.5% on $43,198.01 up to $86,395 ; + • 15.8% on $86,395.01 up to $154,244 ; + • 17.8% on $154,244.01 up to $215,943 ; + • 19.8% on $215,943.01 up to $275,870 ; + • 20.8% on $275,870.01 up to $551,739 ; + • 21.3% on $551,739.01 up to $1,103,478 ; + • 21.8% on $1,103,478.01 and more. |
| Prince Edward Island | • 9.8% on $31,984 or less, + • 13.8% on $31,984.01 up to $63,969, + • 16.7% on $63,969.01 and more. | • 9.65% on $32,656 or less ; + • 13.63% on $32,656.01 up to $64,313 ; + • 16.65% on $64,313.01 up to $105,000 ; + • 18% on $105,000.01 up to $140,000 ; + • 18.75% on $140,000.01 and more. |
| Nova Scotia | • 8.79% on $29,590 or less, + • 14.95% on $29,590.01 up to $59,180, + • 16.67% on $59,180.01 up to $93,000, + • 17.5% on $93,000.01 up to $150,000, + • 21% on $150,000.01 and more. | • 8.79% on $29,590 or less ; + • 14.95% on $29,590.01 up to $59,180 ; + • 16.67% on $59,180.01 up to $93,000 ; + • 17.5% on $93,000.01 up to $150,000 ; + • 21% on $150,000.01 and more. |
| New Brunswick | • 9.4% on $47,715 or less, + • 14% on $47,715.01 up to $95,431, + • 16% on $95,431.01 up to $176,756, + • 19.5% on $176,756.01 and more. | • 9.4% on $49,958 or less ; + • 14% on $49,958.01 up to $99,916 ; + • 16% on $99,916.01 up to $185,064 ; + • 19.5% on $185,064.01 and more. |
| Quebec | • 14% on $49,275 or less, + • 19% on $49,275.01 up to $98,540, + • 24% on $98,540.01 up to $119,910, + • 25.75% on $119,910.01 and more. | • 14% on $51,780 or less ; + • 19% on $51,780.01 up to $103,545 ; + • 24% on $103,545.01 up to $126,000 ; + • 25.75% on $126,000.01 and more. |
| Ontario | • 5.05% on $49,231 or less, + • 9.15% on $49,231.01 up to $98,463, + • 11.16% on $98,463.01 up to $150,000, + • 12.16% on $150,000.01 up to $220,000, + • 13.16% on $220,000.01 and more. | • 5.05% on $51,446 or less ; + • 9.15% on $51,446.01 up to $102,894 ; + • 11.16% on $102,894.01 up to $150,000 ; + • 12.16% on $150,000.01 up to $220,000 ; + • 13.16% on $220,000.01 and more. |
| Manitoba | • 10.8% on $36,842 or less, + • 12.75% on $36,842.01 up to $79,625, + • 17.4% on $79,625.01 and more. | • 10.8% on $47,000 or less ; + • 12.75% on $47,000.01 up to $100,000 ; + • 17.4% on $100,000.01 and more. |
| Saskatchewan | • 10.5% on $49,720 or less, + • 12.5% on $49,720.01 up to $142,058, + • 14.5% on $142,058.01 and more. | • 10.5% on $52,057 or less ; + • 12.5% on $52,057.01 up to $148,734 ; + • 14.5% on $148,734.01 and more. |
| Alberta | • 10% on $142,292 or less, + • 12% on $142,292.01 up to $170,751, + • 13% on $170,751.01 up to $227,668, + • 14% on $227,668.01 up to $341,502, + • 15% on $341,502.01 and more. | • 10% on $148,269 or less ; + • 12% on $148,269.01 up to $177,922 ; + • 13% on $177,922.01 up to $237,230 ; + • 14% on $237,230.01 up to $355,845 ; + • 15% on $355,845.01 and more. |
| British Columbia | • 5.06% on $45,654 or less, + • 7.7% on $45,654.01 up to $91,310, + • 10.5% on $91,310.01 up to $104,835, + • 12.29% on $104,835.01 up to $127,299, + • 14.7% on $127,299.01 up to $172,602, + • 16.8% on $172,602.01 up to $240,716, + • 20.5% on $240,716.01 and more. | • 5.06% on $47,937 or less ; + • 7.7% on $47,937.01 up to $95,875 ; + • 10.5% on $95,875.01 up to $110,076 ; + • 12.29% on $110,076.01 up to $133,664 ; + • 14.7% on $133,664.01 up to $181,232 ; + • 16.8% on $181,232.01 up to $252,752 ; + • 20.5% on $252,752.01 and more. |
| Yukon | • 6.4% on $53,359 or less, + • 9% on $53,359.01 up to $106,717, + • 10.9% on $106,717.01 up to $165,430, + • 12.8% on $165,430.01 up to $500,000, + • 15% on $500,000.01 and more. | • 6.4% on $55,867 or less ; + • 9% on $55,867.01 up to $111,733 ; + • 10.9% on $111,733.01 up to $173,205 ; + • 12.8% on $173,205.01 up to $500,000 ; + • 15% on $500,000.01 and more. |
| Northwest Territories | • 5.9% on $48,326 or less, + • 8.6% on $48,326.01 up to $96,655, + • 12.2% on $96,655.01 up to $157,139, + • 14.05% on $157,139.01 and more. | • 5.9% on $50,597 or less ; + • 8.6% on $50,597.01 up to $101,198 ; + • 12.2% on $101,198.01 up to $164,525 ; + • 14.05% on $164,525.01 and more. |
| Nunavut | • 4% on $50,877 or less, + • 7% on $50,877.01 up to $101,754, + • 9% on $101,754.01 up to $165,429, + • 11.5% on $165,429.01 and more. | • 4% on $53,268 or less ; + • 7% on $53,268.01 up to $106,537 ; + • 9% on $106,537.01 up to $173,205 ; + • 11.5% on $173,205.01 and more. |
