Are you a student? Make sure you’re getting your payments

When you pay taxes, you help protect the integrity of Canada’s tax system and help pay for things like schools, arenas and healthcare. But that’s not all. By doing your taxes every year, you could be eligible for benefit and credit payments from the Government of Canada. That’s money in your pocket!

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 - Canada child benefit (CCB)
  • How often – Monthly
  • Helps to - support the needs of children under 18
  • How to get it* - Do your taxes every year and apply using Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application
• 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

International students studying in Canada

Apply for payments as soon as you arrive in Canada and even if you don’t have your social insurance number (SIN). Eligibility requirements vary. For the CCB and GST/HST credit payments, complete one of these forms:

• If you have children and you or your spouse or common-law partner meet the CCB eligibility criteria, complete Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application and include Form RC66SCH, Status in Canada and Income Information for the Canada Child Benefits Application.
• If you do not have children, or you do but do not meet the CCB eligibility criteria, complete Form RC151, GST/HST Credit and Canada Carbon Rebate Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada.

More information for international students: canada.ca/taxes-international-students

Tuition tax credit

Tuition fees you paid to a post-secondary institution may qualify for a tax credit when you do your taxes and can help lower any income tax you may have to pay. Your educational institution will provide you with a T2202 tax slip each year with the information you need to claim the credit.

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

Learn about your taxes

Check out a free online learning tool to help you understand Canadian taxes, how to do them and what’s in it for you. For more information, go to canada.ca/learn-about-taxes

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-st

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)