Your first tax return in Canada: step by step
Filing your first tax return in Canada feels intimidating, but the process is the same every year and most of it is gathering a few documents. This guide walks through who needs to file, what to collect, how to file and what happens afterwards.
Do you have to file?
You generally have to file a return if you owe tax, if the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) asks you to, or if you sold property such as shares or a home, among other cases. But even when you are not required to, you should file: the CRA uses your return to work out benefits and credits such as the GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit. No return usually means no payments.
Key dates for the 2026 tax year
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Late winter 2027 | Most slips (T4, T5, T4FHSA and others) are due by the end of February; some, such as T3 and T5013, by the end of March. RRSP receipts for the first 60 days can arrive as late as May |
| March 1, 2027 | Last day to make an RRSP contribution you can deduct for 2026 |
| April 30, 2027 | Deadline to file, and to pay any tax you owe |
| June 15, 2027 | Filing deadline if you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed (any tax owing is still due April 30) |
These dates are our projection from the 2025 tax year, whose deadline was April 30, 2026; the CRA had not yet published the 2026-year dates when this guide was written. Whatever the date, file on time even if you cannot pay everything: the late-filing penalty is based on what you owe, and you can pay the rest as soon as you can.
What to gather before you start
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN), which the CRA uses to identify you on your return.
- Income slips: T4 (employment), T4E (EI), T5 (interest and investments) and any others you received.
- RRSP contribution receipts and, if you have an FHSA, your T4FHSA slip.
- Receipts for deductions and credits you plan to claim: tuition (T2202), medical expenses, donations, childcare.
- Your last Notice of Assessment, if you have filed before.
Create your CRA My Account
Register for a CRA My Account before tax season. It lets compatible software retrieve many of your slips automatically, shows your RRSP deduction limit and FHSA room (for TFSA room, rely on your own records), and is where you will see your Notice of Assessment. Registration can take several days, so do not leave it for the last week.
How to file
- Tax software. Use CRA-certified software; the CRA's list can be filtered by cost, so you can see which products are free. First-time filers do not have a NETFILE access code, and that is fine: the CRA's guidance says it is not mandatory.
- SimpleFile. A free CRA service for eligible people with a simple tax situation and lower income; check the CRA page to see whether you qualify.
- A free tax clinic. The CRA's Community Volunteer Income Tax Program supports people with a modest income and a simple tax situation. Check the CRA site for a clinic near you.
- An accountant or tax preparer. A good choice if you are self-employed, own rental property or have income from several countries.
If you are new to Canada
For the part of the year you were a resident of Canada, you report your worldwide income in Canadian dollars. For the part before you arrived, you report only certain Canadian-source income. Property you owned when you arrived is treated as if you bought it at its fair market value on the day you became a resident, so keep a record of those values. If your SIN has not arrived and the deadline is near, check the CRA's newcomers page for what to do rather than waiting past the deadline. Residency rules can get complicated, so a free clinic or an accountant is worth it for your first year.
What happens after you file
The CRA sends a Notice of Assessment that confirms your income, any refund or balance owing and your RRSP deduction limit for the next year. Check it against your return. Set up direct deposit so a refund arrives faster, and keep your slips and receipts for six years in case the CRA asks for them.
What a late return costs
If you owe tax and file late, the penalty is 5% of the balance owing plus 1% for each full month it is late, up to 12 months. If you were charged a late-filing penalty in any of the three previous years and the CRA sent a formal demand to file, the penalty rises to 10% plus 2% per full month, up to 20 months. Interest also accrues on unpaid tax and compounds daily. If you owe nothing, there is no late-filing penalty, but filing late can delay your benefits. See also the 2026 RRSP, TFSA and FHSA limits to plan your deductions.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to file a tax return if I had no income?
Usually you are not required to, but you should. The CRA uses your return to calculate benefits and credits such as the GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit, so not filing can mean not being paid.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
File as soon as you can. If you owe tax, a late-filing penalty of 5% of the balance owing plus 1% per full month (up to 12 months) applies, and interest accrues daily. If you owe nothing, there is no late-filing penalty, but your benefits can be delayed.
Is there a free way to file?
Yes. The CRA's list of certified tax software can be filtered by cost to show free products, SimpleFile is a free CRA service for eligible people with a simple situation, and free tax clinics through the CRA's Community Volunteer Income Tax Program help people with a modest income and a simple tax situation.
What is a Notice of Assessment?
It is the CRA's response to your return. It confirms your income, your refund or balance owing and your RRSP deduction limit for the next year. You can find it in your CRA My Account.
I just arrived in Canada. What do I report?
For the part of the year you were a resident, report your worldwide income in Canadian dollars. For the part before you arrived, report only certain Canadian-source income. Because the rules can be complex, a free tax clinic or an accountant is worth using in your first year.
Sources
- Canada Revenue Agency: Important dates for individuals (2025 tax year)
- Canada Revenue Agency: Filing due dates for the 2025 tax return
- Canada Revenue Agency: Completing your return for newcomers
- Canada Revenue Agency: Free tax clinics (Community Volunteer Income Tax Program)
- Canada Revenue Agency: Sign in to your CRA account
- Canada Revenue Agency: Late-filing penalty
- Canada Revenue Agency: How long should you keep your income tax records?
- Canada Revenue Agency: How to file your income tax and benefit return
Educational information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Limits and rules change: confirm the current figures with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or a qualified professional.
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