Need help? Tax filing for newcomers to Canada →
Moving to Canada comes with a long to-do list, and your first tax return is easy to overlook. Getting it right early protects your benefits and avoids penalties.
Residency and what you report
Your tax residency depends on your ties to Canada, such as a home, spouse or dependants. As a resident, you generally report worldwide income from the date you became a resident, in Canadian dollars. Income earned before that date is generally not reported in Canada. If you arrived part-way through the year, you file a part-year return.
Why your first return matters
- Benefits such as the GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit generally depend on filing.
- It sets your RRSP room and records your tax history.
- You will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to file.
Foreign property
If you hold specified foreign property with a total cost of more than $100,000 CAD at any time in the year, you generally must file form T1135. Penalties for missing it can be steep.
Two returns in Quebec
If you live in Quebec you file both a federal return and a Quebec return, and your first one is generally due April 30 of the following year.
We help newcomers file correctly the first time. See our tax preparation service or contact us.