If you are earning money in Canada, you are charged income tax on those earnings. These income taxes are used by governments to provide services, such as parks, roads, school, and healthcare.
At the end of the year, you must file an income tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency. This is to ensure that you paid the right amount of tax. If you underpaid, you owe money to the CRA, but if you overpaid, you would receive a refund.
You must file your income tax every year to qualify for various government benefits. Examples include the Canada Child Tax Benefit and the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) Credit.
For more information about filing your income, please call Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-2221. The deadline for completing your income tax return is April 30 of each year.
If you have lived or live in Quebec during the year you are filing, you have to file a separate provincial (Quebec) tax return.