Transcript

Slide 1 – Intro

[Selma]: Hello, and welcome.

My name is Selma. I have an olive complexion, dark brown hair with blonde highlights, and I’m wearing a black shirt. I’m with the Canada Revenue Agency, or CRA for short.

Today, I’ll talk about the benefit and credit payments you can receive and the services we offer to help you with your taxes when you are new to Canada.

[Visual]: Two children play with dinosaur figures while sitting in a living room with two adults.

Slide 2 – Land acknowledgement

[Selma]: Before we get started, I would like to respectfully acknowledge the territory in which we gather, as the unceded land of the Mi'gmaq, Wolastoqiyik and Peskotomuhkatiyik nations.

Given that we are meeting virtually, I also want to acknowledge the lands where you are gathered and invite you to take a moment of silence for the territory where you are.

[Visual]: An eagle, narwhal and fiddle icon.

Slide 3 – Outline

[Selma]: During this presentation, I will cover:

• Canada’s tax system
• Residency status for income tax purposes
• Benefit and credit payments you could get, including the Canada child benefit
• The different ways to do your taxes
• The digital services offered by the CRA
• And how to protect yourself from scams

Slide 4 – Canada’s tax system

[Selma]: First, let me tell you more about the CRA and what it does.

The CRA is the federal government agency responsible for collecting taxes and administering various benefit and credit payments.

In Canada, taxes are collected by different levels of government: federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal. Today, we’ll be focusing on federal income tax.

Canada’s tax system is based on self-assessment. This means that every taxpayer is responsible for doing their own taxes.

As a taxpayer, you are responsible for:

submitting your tax return every year by the deadline, which is generally April 30

• giving accurate and complete information to the CRA so that we can process your tax return
• reporting your income from all sources
• and, if you owe taxes, paying the amount you owe and notifying the CRA as soon as possible of any changes to your personal information, such as your address or marital status

It’s important to note that your immigration status and yearly tax return help the CRA determine your eligibility for benefit and credit payments, and how much you can get.

I’ll go over payments in detail shortly, but some examples are the Canada child benefit and the goods and services/harmonized sales tax.

Slide 5 – Why do we pay taxes?

[Selma]: Let’s start with why we pay tax and where tax money goes.

Taxes are mandatory payments made to a government, and they fund important public services, programs, and benefits. The government collects taxes to pay for things such as airports, schools, police, firefighters, hospitals, libraries, roads, and social programs like Canada’s Resettlement Assistance Program, which helps refugees.

The taxes we pay in Canada fund benefit and credit payments. These payments help provide money to students, families, newcomers, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

Taxes also fund income-support programs to help people in our community. These include Old Age Security and Employment Insurance.

[Visual]: An adult holds a child on their lap while looking at a tablet with an older person next to them.

Slide 6 – Do you have to do your taxes?

[Selma]: As a newcomer to Canada, you may wonder whether you need to do your taxes.

Generally, you must do your taxes if:

• you have to pay tax for the year
• Or, the CRA sends you a request asking you to do your taxes

There are advantages to doing your taxes. You should do your taxes every year if you:

• want to receive a tax refund
• Or, if you want to begin or continue to receive benefit and credit payments that you may be eligible for, such as the Canada child benefit

[Visual]: An individual wonders while looking at multiple sheets of paper.

Slide 7 – When do I have to do my taxes?

[Selma]: The key to getting benefit and credit payments is doing your taxes on time! We know it can be scary, but it’s important.

The CRA calculates your payments based on your income. This is why you should do your taxes even if you didn’t earn income for the year.

The tax year for individuals is the same as the calendar year: January 1 to December 31.

For the first year you became a resident of Canada for income tax purposes, you need to report all income you earned from the day you arrived in Canada until December 31 of that year.

For example, if you arrived on August 1, 2024, report the income you received from August 1 to December 31, 2024.

The deadline to do and pay your taxes for the previous calendar year is April 30.

When doing your taxes, keep your receipts and records for six years. The CRA may ask to see them.

[Visual]: A timeline illustrating the tax year for individuals in Canada, which is January 1 to December 31. The deadline to file and pay your taxes is April 30 of the following year. The timeline also demonstrates an example: if you arrived in Canada on August 1, you must declare income earned from August 1 to December 31 by April 30 of the next year.

Slide 8 – Establishing significant residential ties

[Selma]: You become a resident of Canada for income tax purposes when you have significant residential ties in Canada. Usually, you create these ties on the date you arrive.

You probably have significant residential ties if you:

• rent or own a house, an apartment, or a room for personal use
• have a spouse, common-law partner, or dependants who move to Canada to live with you
• have utility bills, such as electricity, gas, phone, and Internet
• have a job
• open a Canadian bank account or a credit card
• buy a car or furniture
• have a Canadian driver’s license
• have health insurance with a Canadian province or territory
• or, if you have social ties to Canada, such as memberships to a gym, recreational, or religious organizations.

[Visual]: An individual walking outside with a laptop in their hand.

Slide 9 – What’s not considered residential ties

[Selma]: On the other hand, you have not established significant residential ties with Canada if you:

• return to your home country regularly or spend a lot of time there during the calendar year
• move to another country when you’re not attending school or working in Canada. This is different from taking a vacation in another country
• don’t have a permanent place to live in Canada or you give up your apartment or room
• or, if you don’t have personal property in Canada or get rid of your belongings such as your furniture or car

If you need help determining your residency status for tax purposes, you can fill out form NR74, Determination of Residency Status, and send it to the address on the form. The CRA will give you their opinion.

Find the form on our Benefits, credits, and taxes for newcomers webpage at canada.ca/new-to-canada-op

Slide 10 – Residency in Canada for tax purposes

[Selma]: It is important to note that your residency status for income tax purposes is different from your immigration status.

The CRA considers you a newcomer to Canada only for the first year you are a resident of Canada for income tax purposes.

Depending on your residential ties and the duration of your stay in Canada, you are one of the following types of residents for income tax purposes:

• You would be considered a resident if you have significant residential ties with Canada, regardless of the number of days spent in Canada.
• You would be a deemed resident if you do not have significant residential ties with Canada, but

- you stay in Canada for 183 days or more in a calendar year, and

- you are not considered a resident of your home country under the terms of a tax treaty between Canada and that country.

For example, a member of the Canadian Forces or an ambassador employed by Global Affairs Canada may be deemed to be a resident of Canada.

• You would be a non-resident if you stay in Canada for less than 183 days during the year and you do not have significant residential ties with Canada.
• And you would be considered a deemed non-resident if you have significant residential ties with Canada but are considered a resident of another country that has a tax treaty with Canada.

To find a tax treaty, go to canada.ca/cra-tax-treaties.

Slide 11 – Social insurance number (SIN)

[Selma]: To work in Canada and receive benefits and services from the government, you will need a social insurance number, also called a SIN.

A SIN is a nine-digit identification number that is confidential and unique to you. You should only share your SIN with trusted authorities when it’s necessary.

You will need to give your SIN to your employer when you start a job, to your school’s administration if you are attending post-secondary school, and to your bank when you open an account.

You also need to provide your SIN to government agencies or departments to access benefits or services, including when you are doing your taxes.

You are the only person who is supposed to use your SIN, and you are responsible for keeping it safe.

If someone else gets access to your SIN, it could lead to identity theft and loss of government benefits. They could use your SIN to commit fraud or create debts in your name.

They could also use your SIN to work illegally. In this case, the CRA may expect you to pay tax on income you did not receive.

SINs are issued by Service Canada. For more information on applying for a SIN, go to canada.ca/social-insurance-number or call 1-866-274-6627.

Slide 12 – What to do if you do not meet the eligibility criteria for a SIN

[Selma]: If you, your spouse, or your common-law partner do not meet Service Canada’s eligibility criteria for a SIN, you can still do your taxes and apply to receive benefit and credit payments with the CRA. To do so, include a note explaining why you or your spouse cannot get a SIN when you send us your tax return or benefit and credit application form.

Along with the note, include a photocopy of documents that prove your identity, or your spouse or common-law partner’s identity.

This document could be:

• a passport
• a driver’s licence
• proof of birth, or
• any document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada such as a study permit or a temporary resident permit.

The CRA will then give you a temporary tax number that you can use until you get your SIN. You can use it on your application forms and on your taxes.

It is important to use the same first and last names in all your interactions with the CRA.

If you have more than one first or last name, make sure you always use them in the same order.

If you have only one name, whether it is a first name or a last name, you should enter it as a last name. This will ensure that it is recognized correctly in the CRA’s systems.

Slide 13 – Total income – All sources

[Selma]: To do your taxes in Canada, you’ll need your total income.

Your total income includes money you earn from all sources, both inside and outside of Canada, from the date you arrive until December 31 of the same year.

You can receive many different types of income. Employment income is any money you earn from your job. Your total income also includes the tips or gratuities you receive from your job, as well as any scholarships or grants you may receive.

Slide 14 – Underground economy

[Selma]: Working for cash and working under the table are terms used to describe the underground economy. These terms refer to the act of not reporting income for income tax and GST/HST purposes.

Not reporting income is tax evasion, which is illegal. It can result in severe consequences, including penalties, fines, and criminal convictions.

This can include income not reported or under-reported from:

• tips and gratuities
• employment
• money earned from ridesharing, or renting out a room in your home
• gift cards received for work done
• cash payments for goods or services, and
• bartering, which is the exchange of goods, or services for other goods or services without using money.

Generally, any income you earn is taxable, and you must report it on your tax return, even when you don’t receive a T4 slip or it’s not your main source of income.

If you get paid in cash, make sure to keep detailed records of the payments you receive so you can report the income accurately.

A few dollars of unreported income may not seem like a big deal, but collectively they amount to billions of dollars lost that are needed to fund public services in your community.

So, be part of the solution! Know how to avoid the underground economy.

When you are employed, ask for your T4 slip and make sure you are on your employer’s payroll so that you can benefit from a workers’ compensation program and from employment insurance when you need it.

Always get a written contract or receipt when you buy goods or services, so that you are protected if something goes wrong, and you want a refund.

[Visual]: An individual in a yellow shirt writes on paper with a pen.

Slide 15 – Total income – Non-taxable sources

[Selma]: In Canada, some sources of income are non-taxable and do not have to be reported when you do your taxes.

For example, non-taxable income includes benefit and credit payments that you get from the government, like the GST/HST credit and the Canada child benefit, which we will cover in more detail shortly.

Gifts you get from parents or family members, or money you transferred from your foreign bank account into your new Canadian bank account, are not taxable.

To know what to report as income, go to canada.ca/doing-your-taxes.

Slide 16 – Frequently asked question 1

[Selma]: Throughout the presentation, I will go over some common questions the CRA gets.

The first question is: I came to Canada in August 2024 and started working in February 2025. Do I need to do a 2024 tax return by the April 30, 2025 deadline?

The answer is: Even if you did not have any income in 2024, you should do your taxes. Your tax return will cover when you were in Canada in 2024, so in this scenario, from August to December 2024. It will also be used to calculate any benefit and credit payments you might be entitled to.

Slide 17 – Frequently asked question 2

[Selma]: Here’s another common question: My family back home sends me money every month to help with my living expenses. Should I report this amount as income?

The answer is: Money received as a gift from a parent or guardian to help while you live in Canada is non-taxable, and you do not need to report it when you do your taxes.

Slide 18 – Frequently asked question 3

[Selma]: Here’s another frequently asked question: Do I have to report income earned from driving for Uber? I only do it on weekends and earn less than $200 a week.

The answer is: Yes, you must report all income, including tips, when you are doing your taxes. Reporting is required regardless of how much time you spend driving your vehicle in exchange for money or other forms of payment.

The goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax or GST/HST applies to all ridesharing fares. You must register for, collect, and send the GST/HST to the CRA regardless of the amount earned from ridesharing services.

Slide 19 – Benefit and tax credit payments

[Selma]: As a newcomer to Canada, you could apply to get benefit and credit payments as soon as you arrive.

In most cases, a benefit is a payment you receive regularly. You can usually apply for a benefit at any time in the year using the appropriate forms.

Tax credits are amounts you can claim when you do your taxes. They can reduce the amount of tax you owe.

I will go over:

• the Canada child benefit,
• the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax, known as the GST/HST credit for short,
• the Canada Carbon Rebate,
• the disability tax credit, and
• the child disability benefit.

The provinces and territories also have benefit and credit payments available. You get access to these once you do your taxes and apply for CRA benefits.

For more information, visit canada.ca/child-family-benefits.

[Visual]: Two individuals sitting on a sofa working on a file at the computer with paper and pencil in hand.

Slide 20 – Canada child benefit (CCB)

[Selma]: Let’s begin with the Canada child benefit, or the CCB for short.

This benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18.

Each year, it may provide up to $7,787 for each child under 6, and up to $6,570 for each child aged 6 to 17.

You need to apply for all children in your household.

[Visual]: An adult and a child take pastries out of the oven, laughing.

Slide 21 – Are you eligible for the CCB?

[Selma]: To be eligible for the CCB, you must meet all of these conditions:

• You must live with the child, and the child must be under 18
• You must be primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child
• And, you must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes

In addition, you or your spouse or common-law partner must also be one of the following:

• A Canadian citizen
• A permanent resident
• A protected person
• A temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the last 18 months and who has a valid permit in the 19th month; or,
• An individual who is registered, or entitled to be registered, under the Indian Act

If your spouse or common-law partner does not live in Canada, you will need to provide their income to the CRA. This information will only be used to calculate the money you are eligible to receive.

Slide 22 – When should you apply for the CCB?

[Selma]: You should apply for the CCB as soon as you move to Canada and meet the eligibility criteria.

You should also apply after your child is born, after a child starts to live with you, or as soon as you or your spouse or common-law partner meet the eligibility conditions.

You should apply even if you share custody of a child, or a child is living with you for a determined, temporary period.

The primary caregiver is the person who is primarily responsible for the day-to-day care of the child, and they should apply for the CCB. This could be the child’s mother, father, grandparent, another family member or someone else who is responsible for the child’s care and upbringing.

[Visual]: An adult holds a baby on their lap while browsing the Internet with their partner.

Slide 23 – How do you get the CCB?

[Selma]: Those new to Canada can apply for the CCB by filling out two forms and mailing them to the CRA.

The first form is RC66, Canada Child Benefit Application includes federal, provincial, and territorial programs.

• When you send this form, include documentation with the child’s first and last name and date of birth. You can include:
  • a photocopy of the child’s birth certificate or passport, or
  • any document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, such as:
    • the child’s permanent resident card,
    • confirmation of the child’s permanent residency, or
    • a temporary resident permit.

If the documents are not in English or French, you must provide a translation.

• To get the CCB, you apply once per child in your household.

The second form is RC66SCH, Status in Canada and Income Information for the Canada Child Benefits Application.

• On this form, include information about yours and your spouse or common-law partner’s immigration, residency and citizenship status.
• You’ll also need to provide your income from all sources even if it’s zero. This includes income not reported on a Canadian tax return. You may have to include information for up to two years prior to entering Canada, depending on the date you became a resident of Canada.

Slide 24 – Difference between refundable and non-refundable tax credit

[Selma]: Before I go over some of the tax credits you may be eligible for, I want to explain the difference between refundable and non-refundable tax credits.

Refundable tax credits help reduce the tax you owe and any excess amount is refunded to you.

For example, if you owe $200 in taxes and you are entitled to $500 in refundable tax credits, the credits will reduce the tax you owe to $0, and you get a refund of $300.

Non-refundable tax credits can help reduce or eliminate the tax you owe. They don’t provide a refund.

In the same scenario, if you owe $200, $500 in non-refundable tax credits will reduce the taxes you owe to $0, but you will not receive a refund for the difference.

Slide 25 – GST/HST credit

[Selma]: When you buy goods or services, you are charged a federal tax known as the goods and services tax, or GST, and a provincial tax known as the harmonized sales tax, or HST.

In Quebec, the provincial tax is called the Quebec sales tax, or QST.

The GST/HST credit is a tax-free payment for people with low and modest incomes. It helps offset the taxes you pay on goods and services.

The GST/HST credit is paid four times a year. You do not need to keep receipts from your purchases to claim this credit.

To get the credit, do your taxes every year, even if you have no income. The CRA will use this information to confirm whether you are eligible and how much you will get.

For example, a single person can receive up to $519 per year, and a couple with two children can receive up to $1,038.

The CRA usually sends the GST/HST credit payments on the fifth day of July, October, January, and April.

[Visual]: An individual using their laptop outside on a table.

Slide 26 – Canada Carbon Rebate

[Selma]: As a newcomer to Canada, you can apply for the GST/HST credit and Canada Carbon Rebate payments when you arrive.

This tax-free payment is paid four times a year, and it helps offset the cost of federal pollution pricing.

The next Canada Carbon Rebate payment is coming April 15th. To get the payment on time, make sure you do your taxes by March 24. If you do them after March 24, your payment will come later in the spring.

The amount you receive depends on your family situation and the province you live in.

It’s available to residents of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. There is a basic amount and a supplement for residents of small and rural communities.

[Visual]: Two individuals leaning on the railing of a bridge are talking in front of a river.

Slide 27 – How to apply for the GST/HST credit and the Canada Carbon Rebate

[Selma]: Apply for the GST/HST credit and the Canada Carbon Rebate payments by completing form RC151, GST/HST Credit and Canada Carbon Rebate Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada. Do it as soon as you arrive in Canada.

Only those who meet the eligibility requirements for the Canada child benefit should use form RC66, Canada Child Benefit Application.

You only apply once in the year you became a resident of Canada. After that, the CRA will use the information you provide when you do your taxes every year to calculate your payments.

Find the form on our Benefits, credits, and taxes for newcomers webpage.

Slide 28 – Disability tax credit (DTC)

[Selma]: The Disability tax credit, or DTC for short, is a non-refundable tax credit.

It helps people with disabilities, or their supporting family members, reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay.

The DTC offsets some of the extra costs often experienced by persons with disabilities.

Even if you do not have taxable income, there are other benefits to applying for the DTC.

Being approved can help you get other federal programs, such as the child disability benefit, and the Canada workers benefit disability supplement.

I will speak more about these programs shortly.

[Visual]: An individual with a prosthetic leg is sitting on a sofa and using a cell phone.

Slide 29 – Child disability benefit

[Selma]: The child disability benefit is for individuals who care for a child under 18 who is eligible for the CCB and the DTC. It is a tax-free payment of up to $3,322 annually per eligible child.

If you already receive the CCB for a child in your care who is eligible for the DTC, you do not need to apply. It will automatically be included with your monthly CCB payments.

[Visual]: Young child sitting on the floor playing with toy blocks.

Slide 30 – Frequently asked question 4

[Selma]: Let’s continue with a couple more frequently asked questions.

Why do I have to provide the income I earned outside of Canada, before I arrived in Canada, on my benefit application? Will I be taxed on that income?

The answer is: No. You will not be taxed based on the information on foreign income that you provide on your application form.

The amount you are entitled to is based on your income from the previous year. If you were not yet in Canada and didn’t have to file a tax return, the CRA needs this information to calculate your benefit payment.

For example, your income from 2024 will be used to calculate the benefits you receive from July 2025 to June 2026.

Slide 31 – Frequently asked question 5

[Selma]: Our next questions is:

I am a single parent and came to Canada with my child in September 2024 as a temporary resident. Am I eligible for the CCB?

The answer is: As a temporary resident in Canada, you will be eligible for the CCB once you have lived in Canada for 18 months and continue to hold a valid temporary resident permit in the 19th month. To be eligible, your permit must not state “does not confer status” or “does not confer temporary resident status.”

If your permit is about to expire, send your new permit or proof that you have maintained your status to the CRA to avoid any disruption to your payments.

You may be entitled to the GST/HST credit and the Canada Carbon Rebate as soon as you arrive in Canada.

Slide 32 – Frequently asked question 6

[Selma]: I live in Canada with my child. I applied for the CCB last year, but my spouse still lives outside of Canada. What do I need to do?

The answer is: If your spouse or common-law partner is not a resident of Canada the year after you applied for the CCB, you will need to fill out form CTB9, Income of Non-Resident Spouse or Common-Law Partner for the Canada child benefit. You must send it to the CRA for each year or part of the year that they are a non-resident of Canada.

If your spouse moves to Canada, they must do their taxes every year even if they have no income.

Slide 33 – Tips and CRA digital services

[Selma]: We have now completed our overview of the benefit and credit payments you could be eligible for.

In the next few slides, we will give you tips on how to go online and use some of the CRA’s digital services.

[Visual]: A smiling adult and child looking at a website on a tablet computer.

Slide 34 – Use the online benefits tools

[Selma]: Before we move to the next section, I want to share three online benefits tools.

The first, the Benefits Finder, can help you find the benefits you may be eligible for. To use it, go to canada.ca/benefits-finder and answer a few questions. It will customize a list for you.

You can also use the CRA calculator to see how much you could get in child and family benefits. For this tool, go to canada.ca/child-family-benefits-calculator.

Lastly, you can get email reminders for the benefit and credit payments. These are sent a week before the payment date. To subscribe, go to canada.ca/benefit-credit-payment-reminders.

Slide 35 – Ways to do your taxes

[Selma]: There are a few ways to do your taxes.

The fastest and easiest way is to do them online. If you are eligible, you can use certified software. Most software provides a desktop or web application version.

Some certified software is even free. The software guides you through the process, calculates everything, and helps make sure you don’t miss out on any benefits and credits.

If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, a volunteer may be able to do your taxes at a free tax clinic.

You can also get help from a family member, a friend, or a tax preparer.

Finally, you can do them on paper by downloading a tax package for your province or territory, filling out the forms on computer or by hand, and mailing them to the CRA.

To find out more, visit canada.ca/taxes-get-ready.

Slide 36 – Free tax help

[Selma]: As I mentioned, you may be eligible to have your taxes done by a volunteer, for free!

The program is called the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. In Quebec, it’s known as the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program.

You could be eligible if you have a modest income and a simple tax situation. Generally, a modest income is less than $35,000 for a single person and less than $45,000 for a couple.

Your tax situation is simple if, for example, you do not have a small business or income from a rental property.

Tax clinics are held all year. However, most clinics are offered in March and April.

To find a clinic, go to canada.ca/taxes-help.

[Visual]: Icon for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. Three icons of people all in different colors arranged inside a circle with their arms touching. Off to the right of the circle it is written: “People helping people.”

Slide 37 – Keep your personal information up to date

[Selma]: Along with doing your taxes every year, you must keep your personal information up to date to keep getting benefit and credit payments.

This includes:

• your address
• your marital, residency, and citizenship status
• the number of children in your care, and
• your direct deposit information

You can update this information using the CRA’s My Account, by mail, or an agent can assist you by phone.

[Visual]: An older individual sitting with smiling in their kitchen.

Slide 38 – My Account for individuals

[Selma]: You can register for the CRA’s My Account once you have done your taxes for the first time and have received your notice of assessment.

My Account is a secure online portal that lets you view your personal income tax and benefit information and manage your individual tax affairs online.

It allows you to instantly update your personal information on your own.

You can also:

• Track your refund
• View or change your return
• View your mail online, such as your notice of assessment
• Check your benefit and credit payments and statements
• Submit and track your DTC application, and more

For more information or to register for My Account, go to canada.ca/cra-sign-in-services.

[Visual]: Screenshot of the My Account Overview homepage.

Slide 39 – Digital services

[Selma]: In addition to My Account, there are many digital services available from the CRA. Here are a few.

Auto-fill my return is a secure CRA service that automatically fills in parts of your return. It makes it easier to do your taxes and helps prevent mistakes.

Direct deposit is a fast, reliable, and secure way for individuals to get payments from the CRA on time. It can be particularly important in an emergency or unforeseen circumstances.

Email notifications help prevent fraud. They let you know when changes are made to your personal information in My Account or when there is online mail.

For more information on the CRA’s digital services, visit canada.ca/cra-digital-services.

Slide 40 – Have you received a letter from the CRA? Do not worry!

[Selma]: The CRA will sometimes send you a questionnaire or letter if more information is needed and to make sure you’re getting the right benefit and credit payments.

If you get one of these letters, don’t ignore it. You need to respond as soon as possible.

Often, the CRA will ask for documents to confirm information, like your marital status, proof you are the primary caregiver of a child, or your address.

If you don’t have the documents, need some extra time to gather them, or don’t understand what we’re asking, let the CRA know.

If you don’t respond, your benefit or credit payments will stop, and you may have to repay payments you have already received.

[Visual]: A person wonders in front of a letter.

Slide 41 – Need help?

[Selma]: Depending on your situation, you may want another person to call the CRA on your behalf.

This might be helpful if you find it hard to communicate in English or French, or for other reasons.

The CRA needs your permission to deal with another person who may act as your representative for income tax and benefit matters. This could be a family member, a friend, or an accountant.

Form AUT-01, Authorize a Representative for Offline Access, allows you to authorize a representative to have access to your account information only by phone, by mail, by fax, and in person.

You can also add a representative to your account under “Authorized representative(s)” from the “Profile” section in My Account.

This method provides online access. This is useful when your representative wants to submit documents electronically for you.

Make sure to choose someone you can trust!

You don’t need to authorize someone as a representative if that person is only doing your taxes.

Slide 42 – Be scam smart!

[Selma]: To protect yourself from scams, it’s important to know when and how the CRA might contact you.

Here’s what you can do to be scam smart:

• Take a minute and question why the CRA needs your personal information.
• When in doubt, check My Account to see if you have mail or an amount owing. If you don’t, then make sure to delete the fraudulent communication you received.

You can also call the CRA to verify whether they are trying to reach you.

For more information, go to canada.ca/be-scam-smart.

Also, watch the Be Scam Smart webinar on our web page. I’ll provide more information on this shortly.

[Visual]: Black exclamation mark in a yellow triangle and text saying "Some scams are easy to spot. Some are not."

Slide 43 – Want to learn more about taxes?

[Selma]: We invite you to try Learn about your taxes.

This online, self-directed tool takes you through the purpose of taxes, completing a basic tax return, and more. It has videos, common tax terms, and links to resources.

For instance, lessons cover topics like:

• what’s on your pay stub and T4 slip
• tax tips for when you are working for yourself
• how to read your notice of assessment, and
• working as a freelancer or for an online platform, such as a taxi driver, or for other specialized services.

And, there are lesson plans for teachers and facilitators.

Go to canada.ca/learn-about-taxes to dive in.

[Visual]: Screenshot of the Learn about your taxes webpage.

Slide 44 – Thank you!

[Selma]: And this is the end of our webinar.

You can scan the QR code on the screen to go directly to the CRA’s webpage for newcomers to Canada. You can also type: canada.ca/new-to-canada-op.

For more information on any of the topics discussed today, start your search at canada.ca/taxes.

We also encourage you to visit our Upcoming Events page at canada.ca/cra-outreach-events to view past recordings and register for more webinars.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for online, you can call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech impairment and are registered with the Canada Video Relay Service, you can call the CRA at 1-800-561-6393.

Stay connected by following us on social media: we are on X, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Thank you for joining us today! We hope it was helpful!

[Visual]: QR code

[Visual]: Social media logos: X, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram