The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is standing by to assist Canadians who may have received correspondence indicating that they will now have to repay some or all of the COVID-19 individual benefits that they received during the pandemic. As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada used an attestation-based process to provide urgently-needed income support to millions of Canadians. This relied on individuals determining if they were eligible for benefits based on established criteria. It was expected that some individuals would later be found to be ineligible and be required to repay some or all of the benefits provided. The CRA and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) are working together to ensure that those who received COVID-19 benefits were, in fact, entitled to them.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is committed to helping small and medium businesses by ensuring they have the information and guidance they need to stay organized and to better understand and meet their tax obligations.

Here’s what you can do to make sure you’re doing everything right:

• File and pay on time

• Organize your records and documents

• Resources for you – the CRA is here to help

Every tax season, thousands of people call us each week. They are looking for answers to their questions, trying to find information and wanting to solve any problems they have in doing their taxes.

We get it! We’re here to help you, and we want to offer you the best service possible, whether online or over the phone. We track the questions people ask us each year and use that information to design new services and improve our processes so you have better access to the tax and benefit information you’re asking for.

The 2021 tax-filing deadline for most individuals is April 30, 2022

Since April 30, 2022 falls on a Saturday, your tax return will be considered filed on time if:

• we receive it on or before May 2, 2022; or

• it's postmarked on or before May 2, 2022.

You have until June 15, 2022, to file your tax return if you or your spouse or common law-partner are self-employed. Please visit our Are you self-employed? The Canada Revenue Agency can help you understand your tax obligations tax tip for helpful information.

If you owe taxes to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), your payment will also be considered paid on time if we receive it, or it is processed at a Canadian financial institution, on or before May 2, 2022.

There are a variety of scams in Canada – with new ones invented daily. To identify legitimate communications from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and protect yourself from scammers, be aware and know what to expect when the CRA contacts you.

What to expect from the CRA:

The CRA uses various methods to communicate with individuals and businesses, including phone, email, mail and text message (in specific instances). Using these methods, the CRA may reach out to…

If you're self-employed, we understand that navigating your tax obligations may seem complicated. But don't worry! The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is focused on supporting you. To get ready for tax-filing season, we've put together helpful tips and information for self-employed individuals.

The 2021 tax-filing deadline for self-employed individuals is June 15, 2022. You have until June 15, 2022 to file your 2021 tax return if you or your spouse or common law-partner are self-employed.

The 2021 payment deadline is April 30, 2022. Although your 2021 tax-filing deadline is June 15, 2022, your payment is still due on April 30, 2022.

If you’re struggling to pay your tax debt, we understand and are here to help regardless of your tax situation. If you ignore your tax debt, it will grow with interest charges and penalties. Instead, let’s work together to figure out what your options are based on your financial situation.

Please note that penalties only apply if you file late or pay by instalments and your instalment payments are late or less than the required amount. Debts associated with COVID-19 Individual Emergency Benefits overpayments will not have penalties or interest assessed against the amount owing.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has observed a recent increase in Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) claims containing false and/or fraudulent information. While the vast majority of claims filed for SR&ED tax incentives are compliant with filing requirements, the CRA is reminding you to make sure the information provided in your claim, including information submitted on your behalf by a representative, is valid.

What is SR&ED?

The SR&ED Tax Incentive Program is the largest Government of Canada program supporting research and development in Canada, providing more than $3 billion in tax incentives to over 16,000 businesses annually.

High call volumes to the Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) Business Enquiries Line can result in long wait times to reach a client service representative.

Here are some quick and easy alternatives to finding the information you need (instead of calling).

Check Canada.ca: We're improving the information on our web pages to make it easier for Canadians to find what they need online. This includes services and information for:

• business number registration;

• business income tax;

• payroll;

• GST/HST for business; and much more.

If you lived in one or more prescribed zones for a continuous period of at least six consecutive months beginning or ending in the tax year, you may be eligible to claim the northern residents deductions on your income tax and benefit return. The northern residents deductions consist of a residency deduction and a travel deduction. If you are eligible, these deductions reduce the amount of income you pay tax on, so they will reduce your overall income tax debt.

Learn about your taxes is a new self-guided online course from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for youth, new residents, and individuals who have never done their taxes before. It is also a great learning tool for anyone who needs a refresher on taxes. And, it includes lesson plans for educators who want to use the course in the classroom.

Canadians have told us they need help understanding how to do their taxes. Following public consultations, the CRA also identified a knowledge gap among young Canadians about the role and value of taxes. This free online learning tool will help all Canadians gain confidence in doing their taxes on their own.

This tax season, there’s a new way to confirm authorized representatives using My Account or My Business Account. Whether you’re an individual or a business, this easy, two-step digital process will help you protect your tax information and make authorizing new representatives more efficient and secure.

How to confirm a new representative using My Account or My Business Account?

Follow these steps to confirm a new authorized representative or to accept changes to the authorization level of an existing representative using the new “Confirm my Representative” service.

If you are First Nations, Inuit, or Métis, you are subject to the same tax rules as any other resident in Canada unless your income is considered tax exempt under section 87 of the Indian Act. To continue getting your benefit and credit payments, you need to do your taxes, even if your income is tax exempt or you had no income at all. Here are a few tips to help you get the benefits and credits to which you are entitled.

If you bought, built, sold or renovated a home in 2021, we’re here to help you with your tax affairs. Here are some helpful tips and information to get you ready for this tax-filing season.

Claim $5,000 on your tax return: The home buyers’ amount (line 31270) is available if:

• you (or your spouse or common-law partner) acquired a qualifying home in 2021; and

• you did not live in another home that you or your spouse or common-law partner owned in the current year or any of the previous four years.

As a resident of Canada, you must report your income from all sources on your income tax return. This includes any income you earn inside and outside of Canada, whether it is income from temporary, freelance work, short-term contracts or from other revenue sources.

If you paid foreign income tax, you could be eligible for a tax credit.

You can also claim eligible business expenses relating to income you earned through the gig economy.

Employees of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) are working hard to answer questions you may have about your tax affairs. We want to help you file your income tax and benefit return and ensure you receive the benefits and credits you’re entitled to.

To help you, these are answers to the top questions we’re asked at tax time. You can also check out our questions and answers about filing your taxes page for more answers to common questions.

Getting ready to file your income tax and benefit return? We have a few tips that could help you prepare, save time and ensure you receive all the benefits and credits that you are entitled to:

1. File your return on time

2. File your return online

3. Claim all your benefits, credits, and deductions

4. Enter all your income and COVID-19 benefit payment amounts

5. Make the right claims

6. Simplify your life with My Account

7. Pay on time

8. Keep receipts and documents

A peer-to-peer (P2P) transaction involves the selling of goods from one person or party directly to another. You may be taking part in P2P selling if you are connecting with buyers through digital platforms like websites, online marketplaces or mobile applications (such as Etsy, eBay or Amazon).

As a resident of Canada, you must report your income from all sources on your income tax return. This includes any income you earn inside and outside of Canada, whether through P2P or other transactions. If you paid foreign income tax, you could be eligible for a tax credit.

The tax-filing deadline for most individuals is April 30, 2022

Since April 30, 2022, falls on a Saturday, your return will be considered filed on time in either of the following situations:

• we receive it on or before May 2, 2022

• it is postmarked on or before May 2, 2022

You have until June 15, 2022, to file your tax return if you or your spouse or common law-partner are self-employed.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) understands that many businesses are going through changes as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. We are available, year round, to help small and medium businesses with their unique needs. As you go through business changes, you may face different requirements as you manage your tax affairs. We are here to help.