Students: Are you ready for tax season?

Mar 13, 2024

Filing your tax return is nothing new. This year’s theme is life events: we know there are a lot of little moments that can add up to big changes in life. To help you report important life changes for tax season, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has some useful tips and information.

Filing and payment deadlines

 

Tax season opened on February 19, 2024, and you can use a host of methods to file your 2023 income tax and benefit return online. The deadline for most Canadians to file a tax return and pay any amount they owe is April 30, 2024.

If you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed, both of you have until June 15, 2024, to file your tax returns. As that date falls on a Saturday, your return will be considered filed on time if the CRA receives it or it is postmarked on or before June 17, 2024. Just keep in mind that if you owe money to the CRA, your payment is due on April 30, 2024.

Tuition and education expenses

 

We know how expensive school costs can be but don’t be discouraged, you may be able to claim an education-related deduction or a credit on your tax return. Here are a few you could be eligible for:

  • Tuition tax credit: If you are 16 years or older, you may be able to claim your tuition fees at a post-secondary institution as a credit to reduce the taxes you pay on your return. You may also be able to claim fees paid to take an accreditation examination for a profession or trade in Canada. You can also transfer all or part of your current year’s federal tuition fees, or other education amounts to a designated person, or you can carry the credit forward to claim on a future tax return.
  • Moving expenses: You may be able to claim moving expenses if your new home is at least 40 kilometres closer (by the shortest public route) to your new school or your new work location.
  • Interest paid on student loans: You may be eligible to claim part of the interest you’ve paid since 2018 on your student loans for post-secondary education if the loans were issued under certain student loan acts.

 

Isn’t it great how many resources are available to you!

Benefit and credit payments

 

You might be entitled to regular benefit or credit payments like the goods and services/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit or the Canada child benefit:

  • If you are 19 years or older, you may be eligible to receive the quarterly tax-free GST/HST credit and Canada Carbon Rebate (formerly known as the Climate action incentive payment) even if you do not have any income to report.
    • Those under 19 who have or have had a spouse, common-law partner or child they live(d) with are also eligible.
  • If you have a child under 18 years, the Canada child benefit is a tax-free monthly payment that helps with the cost of raising your family.
  • We invite you to visit the Taxes and benefits for Indigenous Peoples webpage, which offers information about tax filing, as well as benefits and credits for Indigenous Peoples. Visit this webpage for helpful tips, resources and guides to help answer your questions about First Nations, Inuit and Métis taxes.

 

International students

 

If you are an international student studying in Canada, you could be eligible for the GST/HST credit and Canada Carbon Rebate even before filing your first tax return.

Visit Benefits, credits, and taxes for newcomers for details on how to:

  • Determine your residency status
  • Get a social insurance number
  • Apply for the benefits and credits you are eligible for

Did you know that you could be a resident of Canada for income tax purposes even if you’re an international student? Your residency status for income tax purposes is different from your citizenship status. When you have enough residential ties in Canada, you will need to file a Canadian tax return. Read more about determining your residency status.

Working while studying

 

If you’re working and going to school, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Keep records like emails, contracts, purchase receipts, sales invoices, and any other documents about your sources of income. These will help when it’s time to file your return.
  • If you work for clients online, you may be considered to be self-employed. As a self?employed individual, you have different tax obligations than an employee.

Studying abroad

 

Are you planning to study abroad? You may still be considered a resident of Canada and will need to file a Canadian tax return due to your residential ties.

In some cases, you may be considered a factual resident or a non-resident for income tax purposes, so it’s important to know your tax obligations.

 

If you have returned to Canada after studying abroad, make sure to check your residency status to know about your tax obligations for the 2024 tax season.

 

Buying and selling

 

Navigating a new city, new digs or new responsibilities can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’ve got you. Here are some resources to help you out:

Digital services

 

Take advantage of our digital services and make life easy:

  • My Account lets you check when your next benefit payment is, if you have uncashed cheques, the status of your tax return (and refund, if you’re getting one), if your personal information is up-to-date, and so much more.
  • Sign up for direct deposit to get your tax refund and benefit payments deposited directly into your account.

Repayment options

 

If you end up owing money to the CRA and you aren’t able to pay it all at once, you can set up a payment arrangement to pay your balance over time.

 

Changes to your personal information

 

Did you enjoy a recent trip down the aisle? Don’t forget to notify the CRA if your marital status has changed. If there have been any other changes in your life, like to your address or phone number, you can use My Account to let us know. My Account is the easiest way to update your personal information, so you don’t miss out on any benefit and credit payments you may be eligible for.

Free tax clinics

 

Organizations with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program host free tax clinics to complete tax returns for eligible individuals. If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, a volunteer may be able to do your taxes for you, for free. Tax clinics can be in person or virtual. Find the right clinic for you.

 

Let’s talk about it

 

If you have further questions, you can ask them in real-time with Charlie, our friendly chatbot. You can find Charlie on the CRA home page and on many of our other web pages on Canada.ca.

Life-long learning

 

This filing season shouldn’t keep you up at night. We’ve developed a self-paced, online learning tool called Learn about your taxes to help you understand how the Canadian tax system works. The tool includes lessons, quizzes, and videos to break down everything you need to know, from starting to work to preparing to do your taxes.

Stay connected

To find out what’s new at the Canada Revenue Agency: