65 years and older? Make sure you’re getting your payments

Keeping up with expenses is not always easy, especially as you age. The Government of Canada can provide financial support by getting you access to available benefits, credits and programs.

Benefit and credit payments you could get

• Payment - Goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit
  • How often - July, October, January, and April
  • Helps to - offset the cost of GST or HST paid on products and services
  • How to get it* - Do your taxes every year
• Payment - Advanced Canada workers benefit (includes a disability supplement if you’re eligible for the disability tax credit (DTC)**)
  • How often – July, October and January
  • Helps to - reduce the cost of living for individuals and families who are working and earning a low income
  • How to get it* - Do your taxes every year and be eligible for the Canada workers benefit
• Payment - Provincial and territorial benefit and credit payments
  • How often - Varies
  • Helps to - offset certain costs by province and territory (payments calculated based on your tax return)
  • How to get it* - Do your taxes every year

* In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria

** More information on the DTC: canada.ca/disability-tax-credit

Deductions and credits you can claim on your taxes

Disability supports deduction

If you have certain medical expenses and an impairment.

Disability tax credit (DTC)

Helps reduce the income tax that people with physical or mental impairments, or their supporting family members, may have to pay. For more information, go to canada.ca/disability-tax-credit

Canada caregiver credit

If you support a spouse, common-law partner or qualifying dependant with an impairment.

Home accessibility tax credit

For eligible renovations to improve the accessibility of your home.

Medical expenses tax credit

For eligible medical expenses that you, your spouse or your common-law partner paid during the year.

Age amount

Claim on your tax return if you are 65 or older.

Amounts transferred from your spouse or common-law partner

Claim all or part of certain amounts that your spouse or common-law partner qualifies for if they do not need to use them to reduce their federal tax to $0.

Multigenerational home renovation tax credit

If you have built or renovated a secondary unit to allow a qualifying individual, a person 65 years or older or an adult who is eligible for the DTC, to live with a qualifying family member.

Refundable medical expense supplement

For working individuals with a low income and high medical expenses.

Pension income splitting

You may be able to split your eligible pension income with your spouse or common-law partner to reduce any income tax you owe.

What you need to do your taxes

Social insurance number (SIN)

To work in Canada or access certain government programs and benefits, you need a SIN. If you do not have a SIN or have lost it, contact Service Canada at 1-866-274-6627 or go to an office near you.

Tax slips

At the beginning of the calendar year, you should receive tax slips with the information you need to do your taxes. If they are missing, get them online in My Account or call the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1-800-959-8281.

Do your taxes by April 30 each year to keep getting your payments: If you are married or in a common-law relationship, both you and your partner need to file. In Quebec, you also need to file a separate provincial tax return with Revenu Québec. Find more information at canada.ca/taxes-get-ready

What to do following a death

When someone dies, their family or legal representative settles their tax and benefit affairs. This representative should call the CRA to report the date of death as soon as possible at 1-800-959-8281.

For more information, go to canada.ca/cra-when-someone-dies

Protect yourself from scams

Beware of scammers pretending to be the CRA. When in doubt, call the CRA. Learn about what to expect if the CRA contacts you, go to canada.ca/taxes-fraud-prevention

Get more information

Online

Before calling, check Canada.ca! You may be able to find what you need at canada.ca/benefits-credits-ad

To order CRA publications in alternate formats, including large print and braille, go to canada.ca/cra-multiple-formats

Free tax help: You may be eligible to get your tax return filed for free by a volunteer. Find out if you are eligible at canada.ca/get-tax-help

By phone

Questions about benefits: 1-800-387-1193

Residents of the territories with an 867 area code: 1-866-426-1527

General questions or to get forms: 1-800-959-8281

TTY (teletypewriter): 1-800-665-0354

Canada Video Relay Service (VRS): 1-800-561-6393

Questions about social insurance numbers (SIN): 1-866-274-6627 (Service Canada)

Questions about doing taxes in Quebec: 1-800-267-6299 (Revenu Québec)