Scammers posing as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) continue their attempts to trick you into handing over money or personal information. Know what to expect when the CRA contacts you so you can tell the difference between legitimate communications from the CRA, and scams.

How to make sure the caller is a CRA employee and not a scammer

A legitimate CRA employee will identify themself when they contact you, providing you with their name and phone number to call them back, if needed.

Did you receive subscriptions and perks like merchandise and trips or other income?

If you earned income by posting pictures, videos and more on your social media channels that involves product placement or product promotion, you may be undertaking a business activity. You can earn income from your social media activities in many ways, both monetary and non-monetary (barter transactions), including, but not limited to…

Are you new to Canada and getting ready to file your first Canadian income tax and benefit return? Don’t worry, the CRA are here to help! They’ve put together tips and information to guide you through the process and answer your questions.

You can also watch their video for newcomers. It’s available in 13 different languages: Arabic, Cantonese, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Urdu.

What is cryptocurrency?

A cryptocurrency is a type of virtual asset that is protected using cryptography. It typically uses a system called a blockchain to record and keep a history of transactions. Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ether, are independent, meaning they do not rely on governments, central banks, or other central authorities for backing. You can obtain cryptocurrency in many ways, and new methods are being developed all the time. You can use cryptocurrencies for a wide range of activities, such as buying goods, paying bills, or investing. Transactions involving cryptocurrencies often have tax implications.

Every year, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tracks the questions people ask us and use that information to design new services and improve our processes. We want to offer you the best service possible, so you can easily access the tax and benefit information you need.

Before calling us, use the tips below to save time this tax season! You might be able to find the information you’re searching for and avoid long wait times over the phone that come with our busy tax season.

Worried about tax-filing season? Don’t be! Our easy-to-use digital services can improve the filing process and save you time. Using our services will make it easier for you to manage your tax and benefit information. You’ll also avoid delays and long wait times over the phone during tax season.

The protection of taxpayer information is of the utmost importance for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This is why the CRA has stringent and ongoing measures to analyze, identify and mitigate potential threats to sensitive taxpayer information.

As a response to the need for added security measures, the CRA implemented the Confirm my representative service in October 2021. It is a two-step verification process that allows business owners to easily and securely control who has access and what level of access their representative has to their personal and business tax information.

Millions of Canadians file their income tax and benefit returns every year. For the 2022 tax-filing season, Canadians filed approximately 31 million returns and 92% of them were filed electronically. Also, there were over 17 million refunds processed, resulting in a total amount of $37 billion!

We know that having the information you need on hand makes filing easier. Below, you’ll find what you need to know for this year, including what’s new.

Every year, we send letters to eligible Canadians inviting them to file their income tax and benefit returns with the CRA's File my Return automated phone service.

This service is free, secure, and easy to use. If you are eligible to use this service, you should receive an invitation letter in February 2023.

About File my Return

This service allows you to file your tax return without the need to complete any calculations or forms. By filing a tax return, you will be able to receive the benefits and credits you may be eligible for. File my Return uses the information the CRA already has on file, and the answers you provide, to auto-file and process your tax return.

No one likes last-minute delays or waiting on the phone at tax time. You can avoid this by preparing early and using our digital services. You’ll be able to update your personal information and view your tax and benefit information ahead of time.

Filing and payment deadline:

You will be able to file your 2022 income tax and benefit return electronically starting on February 20, 2023. The deadline for most Canadians to file this return is April 30, 2023. Since April 30, 2023, falls on a Sunday, your return will be considered filed on time if the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) receives it, or it is postmarked, on or before May 1, 2023.

Did you receive COVID-19 benefit payments from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in 2022? If you did, you should receive a T4A Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income slip. These payments are taxable, and you need the information on your T4A slip when filing your income tax and benefit return.

If you receive correspondence from the CRA, you should open it and take the actions requested. If you have questions about the correspondence you receive, you should call the telephone number given in the letter. Additional information is available on the Benefits being reviewed? Here’s what you need to know page.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is digitizing the Special Elections and Returns (SERs) forms which will now allow taxpayers to file these requests electronically using Submit Docs or certified software. Those that are currently online in their new format include the T217, T2 Schedule 89 and T2054.

To ensure requests are processed in a timely manner, we strongly encourage taxpayers to use these new updated forms. Using the old forms may cause delays in processing your election and we may need to contact you to request additional information.

Seniors, we’re here to help make sure you get all the benefits and credits that you may be entitled to! These tips will help you complete your income tax and benefit return and avoid interruptions to your benefit and credit payments.

Filing and payment deadline:

You will be able to file your 2022 income tax and benefit return electronically starting on February 20, 2023. The deadline for most Canadians to file this return is April 30, 2023. Since April 30, 2023, falls on a Sunday, your return will be considered filed on time if the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) receives it, or it is postmarked, on or before May 1, 2023.

As a student, you may have many questions about taxes. It might even be your first time filing an income tax and benefit return, and that’s okay! We’re here to make tax-filing easier and to make sure you receive the benefits and credits you may be entitled to.

Filing and payment deadline:

You will be able to file your 2022 income tax and benefit return electronically starting on February 20, 2023. The deadline for most Canadians to file this return is April 30, 2023. Since April 30, 2023, falls on a Sunday, your return will be considered filed on time if the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) receives it, or it is postmarked, on or before May 1, 2023.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) strives to be trusted, helpful, and fair by putting people first. No matter how you decide to file, we’re committed to making sure you get the benefits and credits you’re entitled to.

Income tax package content and delivery

If you filed on paper last year, the CRA should mail you the 2022 income tax package. You should receive your package by February 20, 2023. Others who want to file on paper can:

• order or download forms online at canada.ca/cra-forms

• order forms by calling the CRA at 1-855-330-3305 starting January 24, 2023

The holidays are approaching, but scammers aren’t taking any breaks from their attempts to trick you into handing over money or personal information. Scammers prey on the increased financial pressures that many of us face around the holidays, so it’s important to be aware of how and when the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will contact you to distinguish legitimate communications from the CRA, and scams.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) would like to remind taxpayers and registrants that they have until December 31, 2022, to make a taxpayer relief request related to the 2012 tax year or reporting period.

Taxpayers that want to ask for penalty or interest relief, must send their request within ten years from the end of the calendar year or fiscal period of concern. The CRA may also cancel interest and penalties that accrued within 10 calendar years of the year the taxpayer relief request is made, regardless of the tax year or reporting period in which the debt originated.

For many Canadians, rising inflation and the high cost of living have made it even more challenging to find a safe and affordable place to call home. Renter households are four times more likely to experience core housing needs than homeowners. That is why the Government of Canada has taken concrete action to help renters who need it most.

Today, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, are taking action and announcing that applications for the new one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit are now open. This benefit is a one-time payment of $500 to eligible lower-income renters experiencing housing affordability challenges.

No one likes last-minute delays or waiting on the phone at tax time. You can avoid this by preparing early and using our digital services. You will be able to update your personal information and view your tax and benefit information ahead of time.

Filing and payment deadline

You will be able to file your income tax and benefit return for 2022 starting on February 20, 2023. The deadline for most Canadians to file their income tax and benefit return for 2022 is April 30, 2023. Filing your return before the deadline will allow you to avoid interruptions to any refund, benefit or credit payments you may be eligible for.

The first of the Government of Canada’s new financial support measures will take effect this Friday, November 4, 2022 with the additional one-time goods and services tax credit (GST credit) payment.

This additional one-time payment will double the GST credit for six months for those who receive it, to help make life more affordable.

GST credit recipients do not need to apply for the additional payment. It will be sent automatically by direct deposit or mailed to eligible individuals. The payment amount is calculated based on an individual’s family situation in October 2022 and on their 2021 tax and benefit return.