Here's what newcomers to Canada need to know about filing taxes this year

Who needs to file taxes in Canada?

According to the CRA, even if you only lived in Canada for part of the year, you need to file a tax return if:

• you have to pay taxes
• you want to claim a refund

For newcomers, you don't need to file a tax return to start receiving benefits and credits during your first year in Canada.

But you do need to file a tax return to continue getting federal benefits — like the GST/HST credit and Canada Child Benefit — after your first year in Canada even if you had no income.

The CRA noted that you need to file your tax return every year even if you have little or no income.

Also, when you file your tax return for the first time for the year you immigrated, you only need to include income you received after you arrived in Canada.

Who is considered a newcomer to Canada?

Newcomers to Canada can be:

• permanent residents (including people with "approval-in-principle" from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to stay in Canada)
• refugees
• temporary residents (including students, workers or temporary residents who have permits)

To the CRA, you're considered a newcomer to Canada for the first year you're a resident of Canada.

You become a resident of Canada for income tax purposes when you have enough residential ties in Canada. You usually establish residential ties on the day you arrive in Canada.

Residential ties include a home you own or lease in Canada, a spouse or common-law partner in Canada, dependants in Canada, economic ties in Canada (like a Canadian bank account or credit card), a Canadian driver's licence, a Canadian passport, health insurance with a Canadian province or territory, and more.

Do you need a SIN to file taxes?

You need a Social Insurance Number — also known as a SIN — to file taxes in Canada. It's a nine-digit number that's confidential and unique to you.

Also, you need a SIN to:

• receive benefits and credits
• work in Canada
• open most types of bank accounts

To apply for a SIN, you can submit your information online, at a Service Canada Centre or by mail.

If Service Canada isn't able to give you a permanent or temporary SIN, the CRA can give you a temporary tax number to use to get benefits and credits, file taxes, and sign up for CRA online services.

Can newcomers get taxes done for free?

The CRA has a service available across Canada so you can get your taxes done for free — the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP).

It's a partnership between the CRA and community organizations. Those organizations host free tax clinics and volunteers complete income tax returns for eligible individuals.

To be eligible for the CVITP, you need to have a modest income (typically between $35,000 and $52,500) and a simple tax situation.

That can include newcomers to Canada.

Free tax clinics through the CVITP offer walk in, drop off, and in-person, virtual or phone appointments.

What is the deadline for taxes in 2024?

The deadline for taxes in 2024 is Tuesday, April 30 for most people in Canada.

Thta means you have to file your 2023 tax return with the CRA on or before April 30, 2024 to avoid any late penalities or delayed benefit payments.

However, if you're self-employed, you have until Monday, June 17, 2024.

The deadline to pay any taxes you owe to the CRA is April 30, 2024, regardless of your employment situation.