How to File Taxes for the First Time in Canada

If this is your first tax season as an adult in Canada, it probably feels like you missed a class that everyone else somehow took. You know you’re supposed to file a tax return. You have a vague sense that there are deadlines and forms involved. But the actual process - what software, which slips, what order to do things in - nobody spelled out for you. The good news is that for most students and new graduates in Canada, filing taxes is far simpler than the reputation suggests. If you had a job last year, received a scholarship, or just turned 18 and want to start building your CRA account history, this walkthrough covers exactly what you need to do. You don’t need an accountant. You don’t need to pay for software. You just need about an hour and the right information in front of you.

Why You Should File Even If You Think You Don’t Need To

A lot of first-time filers assume that if they didn’t earn much - or anything - they don’t have to file. That’s often wrong, and skipping can cost you real money.

Filing a return is how the CRA knows to send you a GST/HST credit, which pays out up to $519 per year for individuals and more for families. It’s also how you accumulate RRSP contribution room (18% of your earned income from the previous year), claim tuition tax credits via your T2202 slip, and stay eligible for provincial benefits that are income-tested. If your employer withheld income tax and you earned below the basic personal amount (~$16,129 federally in 2026), you’re likely getting that money back - but only if you file.

In short: filing when you don’t owe anything costs you nothing and often pays you.

What Slips and Documents to Gather First

Before you open any software, collect your slips. The most common ones for students and new workers are:

T4 - from every employer you had in the tax year. Check your HR portal or ask payroll if you didn’t receive one by email.

T2202 - the Tuition and Enrolment Certificate from your school. Find this in your student portal (usually under “tax receipts” or “financial documents”). This slip lets you claim the tuition tax credit.

T5 - if you earned interest in a savings account. EQ Bank or other banks will issue this if you earned more than $50 in interest. Some banks make this available in your online banking portal.

T4A - if you received scholarships, bursaries, or did contract work. Scholarships over $500 above your tuition costs are typically taxable.

If you’re not sure what you should have, the CRA’s “Auto-fill my return” feature (available in certified software) can pull your slips directly from the CRA’s system once your SIN is verified.

Quick tip: Create a My CRA Account at canada.ca before tax season. It takes about 15 minutes to set up, and once you have it, you can use Auto-fill to import your slips automatically - no manual entry required.

Which Software to Use

For a simple return - T4 income, tuition credits, maybe some interest - you do not need to pay for tax software. Wealthsimple Tax (formerly SimpleTax) is fully free for most Canadians filing straightforward returns. It’s clean, walks you through each section with plain-language prompts, and submits directly via NETFILE.

Other free or low-cost options include TurboTax Free (limited), H&R Block Free (limited), and StudioTax (free, slightly older interface). If you’re a student with a complex situation - multiple provinces, employment income plus substantial business income - it may be worth paying for TurboTax Standard (~$25) or consulting a professional, but most students don’t need this.

All of these are CRA-certified, meaning they can file via NETFILE. Avoid any software not on the CRA’s certified list.

The Filing Process Step by Step

Once you have your slips and your software open:

Start with personal information - your SIN, address, date of birth, and marital status. The software will ask whether you want to use Auto-fill. If you have a My CRA Account set up, do it - it saves time and reduces entry errors.

Enter your T4 slip details when prompted, matching each box number to what the software asks for. Box 14 is employment income. Box 22 is income tax deducted. Boxes 16 and 18 are CPP and EI.

Add your T2202 if you have one. The software will walk you through how much of your tuition credit to use this year versus carry forward to a future year when you’re in a higher tax bracket - carrying it forward is often the smarter move.

Review the summary screen. The software will show whether you’re getting a refund or owe money, and what credits applied. If you’re getting a refund, sign up for direct deposit through your CRA account so the money comes back faster (usually within 2 weeks via NETFILE).

Submit. That’s it.

After You File: What to Keep

Save a copy of your completed return as a PDF. Keep all your original slips - T4, T2202, T5 - for at least six years. The CRA can request supporting documentation up to six years after the filing year, though audits of simple returns are rare.

If you discover a mistake after filing, you can use the CRA’s ReFILE feature or submit a T1-ADJ (Adjustment Request) to correct it. You don’t need to re-file from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the tax filing deadline in Canada?

The standard deadline for most Canadians is April 30. If you or your spouse or common-law partner have self-employment income, the deadline extends to June 15 - but any balance owing is still due by April 30 to avoid interest charges. Filing late when you have a refund coming won’t result in a penalty, but you’ll just be waiting longer for your money.

What is NETFILE and do I have to use it?

NETFILE is the CRA’s secure electronic filing system that tax software uses to submit your return directly to the CRA. You don’t interact with it directly - your certified software handles it. You can still file by paper mail, but electronic filing is faster, more accurate, and gets refunds processed much sooner. Unless you’re in a specific situation where NETFILE isn’t available (like filing for a deceased person), electronic filing is the better option.

What if I worked in multiple provinces?

If you lived in one province on December 31 of the tax year, that’s the province you file in - regardless of where you worked. The province you lived in on December 31 determines your provincial tax rate. If you moved between provinces during the year, the situation is slightly more complex and the software will guide you through it.

Do students get a tax refund?

Many students do. If your employer withheld income tax but your total income is below the basic personal amount (around $16,000 federally), you may get some or all of that back. Tuition tax credits can also reduce your tax payable. The GST/HST credit is another common refund-like benefit for students - it’s paid quarterly and you qualify just by filing with low income.

What is the basic personal amount in Canada?

The basic personal amount is a non-refundable tax credit that everyone in Canada can claim. It means roughly the first $16,000 of income is not taxed federally. Each province has its own basic personal amount as well. If you earned below this threshold and your employer still deducted income tax, filing your return will trigger a refund of those deductions.

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