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On this page...

• Is this income tax package for you?
• What’s new for 2019?
  • For residents of Alberta
  • For residents of New Brunswick
  • The CRA’s services
  • Individuals and families
  • Interest and investments
• Do you have to file a return?
  • Deceased persons
• Due dates, penalties and interest
  • Due dates
  • Penalties
  • Interest
    • Interest you must pay to the CRA
    • Interest paid to you by the CRA
  • Cancel or waive penalties or interest
• Gather all your documents
  • What if you are missing information?
• Need help doing your taxes?
  • Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)
  • Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS)
  • By phone (individuals)
  • By phone (businesses)
  • By phone (Territorial residents)
  • By phone (businesses operating in the Territories)
  • Teletypewriter (TTY) users
• Ways to file your return
  • NETFILE
  • EFILE
  • File my Return
  • Filing a paper return
• Which income tax package should you use?
  • Exceptions
  • Definitions
    • Residential ties
    • Deemed resident
    • Non-resident
  • Other publications you may need
• Step 1 – Identification and other information
  • Email address
  • Information about your residence
  • Information about you
  • Marital status
  • Information about your spouse or common-law partner
  • Residency information for tax administration agreements (page 1 of your return)
  • Elections Canada (page 2 of your return)
    • Deceased persons
  • Specified foreign property (page 2 of your return)

Is this income tax package for you?

This income tax package provides the basic information you need to get ready, complete and file your paper Income Tax and Benefit Return. Use this information along with the instructions on the return and schedules. It tells you what types of income you must report, and which deductions and credits you can claim to help you figure out if you owe tax or if you will get a refund. Even if you had no income in the year, you have to file a return to get the benefits, credits, and refund you are entitled to.

This income tax package also applies to you if you resided outside Canada on December 31, 2019, and have significant residential ties with Canada. To make sure you are using the correct income tax package, see Which income tax package should you use?.

What's new for 2019?

We have outlined major tax changes and improvements to services below. We have also noted changes to income tax rules that were announced but that were not yet law. If they become law as proposed, they will be effective for 2019 or as of the dates given. You will find more information about these changes throughout the guide. They are flagged with the word: New

The CRA’s services

Your income tax package has a new look. The 2019 Income Tax Package includes the Federal Income Tax and Benefit Guide, a Provincial or Territorial Information Guide, the return, schedules, and worksheets. For 2019 and future tax years, some of the line numbers that were previously 3 and 4 digits are now 5 digits. We have made several changes to this package to enhance our services.

These changes include:

• using plain language where possible
• reducing the number of forms by eliminating Schedule 1 and the Worksheet for Schedule 1. You can now find any charts that were on these forms on the Income Tax and Benefit Return and the Worksheet for the Return
• updating worksheets to simplify certain calculations
• increasing font size and white space

Individuals and families

Enhanced Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan – Starting in 2019, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) are being gradually enhanced. This means that if you contribute to either the CPP or the QPP, you will receive improved benefits in exchange for making higher contributions. You can claim a deduction for your enhanced contributions to the CPP or QPP. For more information on how to claim your CPP or QPP contributions on your return, see Schedule 8 or Form RC381, whichever applies.

Canada Training Credit Limit – As of January 1, 2019, if you meet certain conditions, you will be able to accumulate $250 per year, to a maximum over your lifetime of $5,000, to be used in calculating your Canada Training Credit, a new refundable tax credit that will be available for 2020 and future years. Based on information from your return, the CRA will determine your Canada Training Credit Limit for the 2020 tax year and provide it to you on your Notice of Assessment for 2019. For 2020 and future years, you may be able to claim a Canada Training Credit equal to your Canada Training Credit Limit for the year or 50% of your eligible tuition and fees paid to an educational institution in Canada, whichever is less.

Canada Workers Benefit – For 2019, the Canada workers benefit (CWB) replaces and strengthens the working income tax benefit (WITB). The CWB is an enhanced, more accessible, refundable tax credit. For more information, see Schedule 6, Canada Workers Benefit.

Income exempt under the Indian Act – A new section called “Indian Act – Exempt income” has been added to page 2 of the Income Tax and Benefit Return, and a new form has been created, Form T90, Income exempt under the Indian Act. The information provided on the return and form will allow the CRA to calculate your Canada Training Credit Limit for the 2020 tax year and may also be used to calculate your CWB for the 2019 tax year, if applicable.

Communal organizations – For 2014 and later tax years, income from a business earned by the trust that is then allocated to a member of the congregation is deemed to be income from a business carried on by that member. This may allow members of a communal organization to claim the CWB for 2019 and later years, and the WITB for the 2014 to 2018 tax years. For more information on how to request an adjustment to a return from a previous year, see How to change a return.

Kinship Care Providers – For 2009 and later years, for the CWB and the former WITB, a care provider may be considered to be the parent of a child in their care, regardless of whether they receive financial assistance from a government under a kinship care program. As a result, the care provider may be entitled to claim the child as an eligible dependent for purposes of claiming the benefit. Also, for these years, financial assistance payments received by care providers under a kinship care program are not included in income and not included when determining entitlement to benefits and credits based on income.

Home Buyers’ Plan – The maximum amount you can withdraw from your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) under the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) increased from $25,000 to $35,000 for withdrawals made after March 19, 2019. If you are not considered a first-time home buyer for the purposes of the HBP, and you experience a breakdown in your marriage or common-law partnership, you may be able to participate in the HBP after 2019 under certain conditions. For more information on the HBP, go to What is the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP)?.

Medical Expenses Tax Credit – For expenses incurred after October 16, 2018, certain cannabis products purchased for a patient for medical purposes will be considered eligible medical expenses for the medical expense tax credit, once they become permitted for legal sale under the Cannabis Act. For more information, see Guide RC4065, Medical Expenses.

Donations and gifts (line 34900 of the return) – For donations made after March 18, 2019, in order to qualify for the enhanced tax incentives for donations of cultural property, the property no longer needs to be of national importance.

Allowances for members of legislative assemblies and certain municipal officers – For 2019 and later tax years, non-accountable allowances paid to elected members of legislative assemblies, certain municipal officers, and members of public or separate school boards are required to be fully included in income.

Zero-emission vehicles – If you are self-employed or claiming employment expenses, you may be able to claim capital cost allowance on zero-emission vehicles. Starting in 2019, there is a temporary enhanced first-year capital cost allowance of 100% for eligible zero-emission vehicles. Eligible vehicles must be acquired after March 18, 2019, and become available for use before 2024. The enhanced allowance decreases if the vehicle becomes available for use after 2023 and before 2028. For more information and for the conditions the vehicle has to meet, see Guide T4002, Self employed Business, Professional, Commission, Farming, and Fishing Income, if you are self-employed. If you are claiming employment expenses, see Guide T4044, Employment Expenses.

Interest and investments

Investment tax credit (line 41200) – Eligibility for the mineral exploration tax credit for an individual (other than a trust) has been extended to flow-through share agreements entered into before April 2024. For more information, see Form T2038(IND), Investment Tax Credit (Individuals).

Do you have to file a return?

File a return for 2019 if:

• you have to pay tax for the year
• you want to claim a refund
• you want to claim the Canada workers benefit (CWB) or you received CWB advance payments in the year
• you or your spouse or common-law partner want to begin or continue receiving the following payments (including any related provincial or territorial payments):
  • Canada child benefit (CCB)
  • Goods and Services Tax ⁄ Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit
  • Guaranteed income supplement (GIS)

If you have a spouse or common-law partner, they also have to file a return.

• the CRA sent you a request to file a return
• you and your spouse or common-law partner are jointly electing to split pension income. See Line 11500.
• you disposed of capital property (which could be a principal residence) or you realized a taxable capital gain in the year
• you have to repay all or part of your old age security or employment insurance benefits
• you have not repaid all the amounts you withdrew from your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) under the Home Buyers’ Plan or Lifelong Learning Plan
• you have to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for 2019. This can apply if your total net self-employment income and pensionable employment income is more than $3,500
• you are paying employment insurance premiums on self-employment income or other eligible earnings
• you have incurred a non-capital loss in the year that you want to be able to apply in other years
• you want to transfer unused tuition fees, or carry forward unused tuition, education, and textbook amounts to a future year
• you want to report income that would allow you to contribute to an RRSP, a pooled registered pension plan (PRPP), or a specified pension plan (SPP) to keep your RRSP deduction limit (see Schedule 7) for future years up to date
• you want to carry forward to a future year the unused investment tax credit on expenditures you incurred during the current year

Deceased persons

If you are the legal representative (the executor, administrator, or liquidator) of the estate of a person who died in 2019, you may have to file a return for 2019 for that person. When there are no legal documents designating a legal representative, you may request to be the deceased person's representative by completing an Affidavit form for intestate situations. For more information about your filing requirements and options, and to know what documents are required, see Guide T4011, Preparing Returns for Deceased Persons, and Information Sheet RC4111, Canada Revenue Agency – What to Do Following a Death.

Due dates, penalties, and interest

Due dates

Your 2019 return and payment are due on or before the following dates:

Penalties

The CRA may charge you a penalty if any of the following applies:

• you filed your return late and you owe tax for 2019
• you failed to report an amount on your return for 2019 and you also failed to report an amount on your return for 2016, 2017, or 2018
  
• you knowingly or under circumstances amounting to gross negligence have made a false statement or an omission on your 2019 return
  

For more information, go to Taxes.

Interest

Interest you must pay to the CRA

If you have a balance owing for 2019, the CRA charges compound daily interest starting May 1, 2020, on any unpaid amounts owing for 2019. This includes any balance owing if the CRA reassesses your return.

Interest paid to you by the CRA

The CRA will pay you compound daily interest on your tax refund for 2019 in some situations. The calculation will start on the latest of the following three dates:

• May 31, 2020
  
• the 31st day after you file your return
  
• the day after you overpaid your taxes
  

Cancel or waive penalties or interest

The CRA administers legislation, commonly called taxpayer relief provisions, that allows the CRA discretion to cancel or waive penalties or interest when taxpayers cannot meet their tax obligations due to circumstances beyond their control.
The CRA’s discretion to grant relief is limited to any period that ended within 10 calendar years before the year in which a request is made.

For penalties, the CRA will consider your request only if it relates to a tax year or fiscal period ending in any of the 10 calendar years before the year in which you make your request. For example, your request made in 2018 must relate to a penalty for a tax year or fiscal period ending in 2008 or later.

For interest on a balance owing for any tax year or fiscal period, the CRA will consider only the amounts that accrued during the 10 calendar years before the year in which you make your request. For example, your request made in 2018 must relate to interest that accrued in 2008 or later.

To make a request, fill out Form RC4288, Request for Taxpayer Relief – Cancel or Waive Penalties or Interest. For more information about relief from penalties or interest and how to submit your request, go to Taxpayer relief provisions.

Gather all your documents

Gather all the information slips, receipts, and supporting documents you need to report your income and claim any deductions or credits.

What if you are missing information?

File your return on time even if you do not have all of your slips or receipts. You are responsible for reporting your income from all sources to avoid any penalties and interest that may be charged. If you have not received your slip by early April or if you have any questions about an amount on a slip, contact the payer.

Need help doing your taxes?

Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) - If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, volunteers from the CVITP can complete your tax return for free. To find out if you qualify for this service and to locate a tax preparation clinic near you, go to Free tax clinics or call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281.

If you want to become a volunteer, go to Volunteer to do taxes for people in your community.

Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS) - For personal and general tax information by telephone, use the CRA’s automated service, TIPS, at 1-800-267-6999.

By phone (individuals) - If you are calling from Canada or the United States, call 1-800-959-8281. The CRA’s automated service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The CRA agents are available Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (local time). From the end of February to the end of April, these hours are extended to 9 p.m. (local time) on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (local time) on Saturdays (except Easter weekend).

By phone (businesses) - Call 1-800-959-5525. The CRA’s automated service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The CRA’s agents are available Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time).

By phone (Territorial residents) – Call 1-866-426-1527. Call this number for tax and benefit information for individuals living in the Territories. This is a dedicated phone line available only to residents of Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut (with the 867 area code).

By phone (businesses operating in the Territories) – Call 1-866-841-1876. Call this number for tax information for businesses operating in the Territories. This is a dedicated phone line available only to residents of Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut (with the 867 area code).

Teletypewriter (TTY) users - If you have a hearing or speech impairment and use a TTY, call 1-800-665-0354. If you use an operator-assisted relay service, call the CRA’s regular telephone numbers instead of the TTY number.

Ways to file your return

NETFILE – Use the CRA’s secure service to complete and file your return electronically using certified tax preparation software or a web tax application. Go to NETFILE – Overview for a list of software and applications, including some that are free.
EFILE – This is a secure CRA service that lets authorized service providers, including discounters, complete and file your return electronically. For more information, go to EFILE for individuals.

File my Return – This is a free and secure CRA service available to eligible individuals who have low or fixed income and whose situations stay the same from year to year. If you are eligible, you will receive an invitation letter in the mail. You will then be able to file your income tax and benefit return simply by giving the CRA some personal information and answering a series of short questions through an automated phone service. You do not have to fill out any paper forms or do any calculations.

Filing a paper return – In the next section, find out which income tax package you need.

Which income tax package should you use?

Use the income tax package for the province or territory where you resided on December 31, 2019. However, there are exceptions, such as if you have residential ties in another place. For more information on these exceptions, see the chart below.

If you resided in Quebec on December 31, 2019, use the income tax package for residents of Quebec to calculate your federal tax only. You must also file a provincial income tax and benefits return for Quebec.

Step 1 – Identification and other information

Use the instructions provided on your return to complete Step 1. This will provide the CRA with information about you and your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one, as well as other information needed to process your return.

In this section of the guide, you will only find information you may need to supplement the instructions provided on the return.

Email address

If you would like to receive email notifications from the CRA, read and agree to the terms of use for email notifications below, and enter an email address. You can also register by going to My Account at My Account for Individuals, logging in to your account, and selecting the “Notification preferences” service.

Terms of use for email notifications – The CRA will send email notifications to the email address you have provided in order to notify you of any CRA mail available in My Account, and to notify you of certain changes to the account information, and other important information about the account. The notifications that are eligible for this service may change. As new types of notifications are added or removed from this service, you may not be notified of each change.

To view CRA mail online, you must be registered for My Account, and/or your representative must be registered for Represent a Client and be authorized on this account. All CRA mail available in My Account is presumed to have been received on the date that the email notification is sent. Any mail that is eligible for electronic delivery will no longer be printed and mailed.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the email address provided to the CRA is accurate, and to update it when there is any change to that email address. CRA email notifications are subject to the terms of any agreement with your mobile carrier or Internet Service Provider. You are responsible for any fees imposed by them.

These email notifications are sent unencrypted and unsecured. The email notifications could be lost or intercepted, or could be viewed or altered by others who have access to your email account. You accept this risk and acknowledge that the CRA will not be liable if you are unable to access or receive the email notifications, nor for any delay or inability to deliver notifications.

These terms of use may be changed from time to time. The CRA will provide notice in advance of the effective date of the new terms. You agree that the CRA may notify you of these changes by emailing either the new terms, or notice of where the new terms can be found, to the email address that you provided. You agree that your use of the service after the effective date of any change to these terms constitutes your agreement to the new terms. If you do not agree to the new terms, you must remove the email address provided and no longer use the service.

Information about your residence

Enter the province or territory where you lived or of which you were considered to be a factual resident on December 31, 2019. The CRA needs this information to calculate your taxes, benefits, and credits correctly.

Information about you

For more information or to apply for a social insurance number (SIN), go to Employment and Social Development Canada.

Marital status

“Married” means you have a spouse. This only applies to a person to whom you are legally married.

“Living common-law” means you are living with a person who is not your spouse, but with whom you have a conjugal relationship, and to whom at least one of the following situations applies:

a) They have been living with you in a conjugal relationship for at least 12 continuous months.

b) They are the parent of your child by birth or adoption.

c) They have custody and control of your child (or had custody and control immediately before the child turned 19 years of age) and your child is wholly dependent on them for support.

“Separated” means that you have been living apart from your spouse or common-law partner because of a breakdown in the relationship for a period of at least 90 days and you have not reconciled. Once you have been separated for 90 days because of a breakdown in the relationship, the effective day of your separated status is the day you started living apart.

If you file your return before your 90-day separation period is over, you should continue to indicate a marital status of married or living common-law, as applicable. However, if after filing the return you continue to live separate and apart from your spouse or common-law partner for at least 90 days, you should complete and submit Form RC65, Marital Status Change. Use the date of the beginning of the 90-day period as your date of separation.

“Widowed” means that you had a spouse or common-law partner who is now deceased.

“Divorced” means that you have legally been divorced from your former spouse.

“Single” should be chosen when none of the other marital status options apply to you.

Information about your spouse or common-law partner

Enter the amounts that are, or would be, reported on your spouse’s or common-law partner’s return. For the net income, enter the amount that is, or would be, reported on line 23600 of that return, even if it is zero.

Residency information for tax administration agreements (page 1 of your return)

In some provinces and territories, you are also required to identify whether or not you resided on the settlement lands of an Aboriginal government on December 31, 2019.

These Aboriginal governments are:

• Nisga’a Lisims Government (in British Columbia)
• Nunatsiavut Government (in Newfoundland and Labrador)
  
• Tåîchô Government and Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government (in the Northwest Territories)
  
• eleven self-governing Yukon First Nations
  

Individuals who resided on the settlement lands of an Aboriginal government in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and British Columbia may also have to respond to another question in this section of the return, identifying if they are a citizen or member of one of these Aboriginal governments.

Your response to these questions will not impact the amount of tax you pay; however, it will ensure that the Aboriginal government receives the correct tax revenue in accordance with its personal income tax administration agreement. For more information, go to Information on the tax exemption under section 87 of the Indian Act.

Elections Canada (page 2 of your return)

Ticking the “Yes” boxes in the Elections Canada section is an easy way to keep your voter registration up to date, if you are qualified to vote. And now, Canadian youth aged 14 to 17 have the opportunity to add their names to the Register of Future Electors.

Elections Canada will use the information you provide to update the National Register of Electors the database of Canadian citizens qualified to vote in federal elections, by-elections and referendums, or the Register of Future Electors, if you are aged 14 to 17. The Register of Future Electors allows young Canadians aged 14 to 17 to register before turning 18; once they turn 18 they are added automatically to the National Register of Electors.

Elections Canada uses the information in the National Register of Electors to prepare lists of electors for federal elections and referendums, and to communicate with voters. Other uses of the information permitted under the Canada Elections Act include providing voter information to provincial and territorial electoral agencies for uses permitted under their respective legislations, and providing voter information (not including birth dates) to members of Parliament, registered and eligible political parties and candidates at election time.

Information in the Register of Future Electors cannot be shared with members of Parliament, registered or eligible political parties, or candidates. It can, however, be shared with those provincial and territorial electoral agencies who are allowed to collect future elector information under their respective legislation. It can also be used by Elections Canada to provide youth with educational information about the electoral process.

Only persons who have Canadian citizenship and are 18 years of age or older are qualified to vote. Generally, you are a Canadian citizen either by birth or if you have obtained Canadian citizenship through the formal process of becoming a Canadian citizen (naturalization). If you are unsure about your Canadian citizenship status, refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website at See if you may be a citizen.

These questions are optional. If you are 18 and over, you will not lose your right to vote, regardless of whether you answer the questions or leave them blank. The CRA does not use this information for the purpose of processing your return.

If you have Canadian citizenship and authorize the CRA to share your name, address, date of birth, and Canadian citizenship status with Elections Canada, tick “Yes” to both questions. If you do not authorize the CRA to share your information with Elections Canada, tick “No” to question B.

If you do not have Canadian citizenship, tick “No” to question A and leave question B blank.

If during the year you change your mind about the CRA sharing your information with Elections Canada, call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to remove your authorization. To be removed from either Register, contact Elections Canada.

If you tick “No” to question B

• The CRA will not give any of your information to Elections Canada.
  
• Elections Canada will not remove your information from either Register if your name is already there or from lists of electors if you are 18 and over.
  
• If there is an election, by-election or referendum and you are 18 or over but not already registered with Elections Canada, you will have to register before you vote.
• If you are not yet 18, you will need to take steps to register with Elections Canada after you turn 18 in order to vote.

Deceased persons

Do not complete this section for a deceased person. If you are completing a return for a deceased person who consented to provide information to Elections Canada on their last return, the CRA will notify Elections Canada to remove the deceased person’s name from the relevant Register.
For more information, visit Elections Canada or call 1-800-463-6868. Teletypewriter users can call 1-800-361-8935.

Specified foreign property (page 2 of your return)

Answer the question on page 2 of your return if you own or hold specified foreign property.

Specified foreign property includes all of the following:

• funds or intangible property (patents, copyrights, etc.) situated, deposited or held outside Canada
• tangible property situated outside of Canada
• a share of the capital stock of a non-resident corporation held by the taxpayer or by an agent on behalf of the taxpayer
• an interest in a non-resident trust that was acquired for consideration, other than an interest in a non-resident trust that is a foreign affiliate
• shares of corporations resident in Canada held by you or for you outside Canada
• an interest in a partnership that holds a specified foreign property unless the partnership is required to file Form T1135
• an interest in, or right with respect to, an entity that is a non-resident
• a property that is convertible into, exchangeable for, or confers a right to acquire a property that is specified foreign property
• a debt owed by a non-resident, including government and corporate bonds, debentures, mortgages, and notes receivable
• an interest in a foreign insurance policy
• precious metals, gold certificates, and futures contracts held outside Canada

Specified foreign property does not include any of the following:

• property in your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP), pooled registered pension plan (PRPP), registered retirement income fund (RRIF), registered pension plan (RPP), or tax-free savings account (TFSA)
• foreign investments held in Canadian mutual funds
• property you used or held exclusively in the course of carrying on your active business
• your personal-use property

For more information on specified foreign property, see Form T1135, Foreign Income Verification Statement.

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