(NC) Doing your taxes can seem like a difficult task, but it’s the key to getting the benefits and credits to which you’re entitled. Even if you don’t have any income to report for 2018 or your income is tax exempt, you can still claim helpful tax credits and benefit payments. Just remember to do your taxes by April 30, 2019.
The Canada Revenue Agency uses the information from your income tax and benefit return to calculate the benefit and credits to which you may be entitled. Some common payments include the Canada child benefit, child disability benefit, the GST/HST credit, Guaranteed Income Supplement, the working income tax benefit, and related provincial and territorial payments.
You only need to apply once for benefits and credits, but to continue getting your payments you need to do your taxes on time every year and keep your personal information, like your address and marital status, up to date. Make sure to keep your supporting documents for at least six years in case the CRA asks for them. Need help doing your taxes? If you have modest income and a simple tax situation, volunteers from the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program may be able to do your taxes for free.
There are also free tax preparation clinics all over Canada. If you live in Quebec, you can get help through the Income Tax Assistance Volunteer Program, offered in partnership with Revenu Quebec.
