Income tax information sessions

Scam alert: If you receive a phone call, text message or email claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or Service Canada, double check that is not a scam. Do not share any personal information until you have confirmed that the communication is legitimate.
2020 tax filing deadline: The deadline to file a 2020 income tax return is April 30, 2021. If you do not owe any income tax, you can file an income tax return after this date and you may still be eligible for tax credits, benefits or a refund. You can file online using certified tax software.

Look for information on upcoming Income Tax Info Sessions in the “Booking and Documentation” section.

“If you are an international student studying in Canada, you may have to file a Canadian income tax return. You must determine your residency status to know how you will be taxed in Canada.” – Canada Revenue Agency

You may have heard from a friend, family member, or fellow student about filing an income tax return in Canada. We strongly encourage you to educate yourself about Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requirements and your responsibilities with respect to filing an income tax return:

Even if you did not earn income or owe income tax, you may benefit from filing your application with the CRA because you may get a refund, a GST/HST credit, or receive child tax credits or subsidies.

You may be eligible for the GST/HST credit after your arrival in Canada and can apply prior to filing your income tax return.

Another major benefit of filing an income tax return even if you did not earn any income is that you can carry forward your tuition credits to reduce your future income tax owed that can benefit you when you may earn more income later on e.g. after graduation.

You will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) if you want to file an income tax return in Canada. See our Social Insurance Number clinics to find out how to get a SIN.

The Centre for International Experience (CIE) offers supportive programming to help along the way. Sign up for an information session or webinar below under Booking & Documentation or speak with an international transition advisor to learn what you initially need to know in order to file with the Canadian tax system.

The CIE does not offer one-on-one individual income tax filing support. Get help filing your taxes for free on campus at a UTSU tax clinic appointment, or off campus at a free community tax clinic.