General Income Tax and Benefit Guide - 2015 - General Information, Identification and Elections Canada

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On this page...

• Is this guide for you?
• What's new for 2015?
• General information
  • Before you start
    • Do you have to file a return?
    • Retired seniors: look for the symbol
    • Which forms book or other tax package should you use?
    • What date is your return for 2015 due?
    • What penalties and interest do we charge?
    • When will we pay interest?
  • How to file your return
    • Filing your return through the Internet
    • Filing a paper return
    • What do you include with your return and what records do you keep?
    • Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)
    • Tax information videos
    • Can you file a return for a previous year?
  • Benefits for individuals and families
    • Goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit
    • Canada child tax benefit (CCTB) and child disability benefit (CDB)
    • Universal child care benefit (UCCB)
    • Working income tax benefit (WITB)
  • Getting started
    • What if you are missing information?
• Online services
  • My Account
  • Handling business taxes online
  • MyCRA – the web app for individual taxpayers on the go
  • Electronic payments
  • Direct deposit
• Identification, income, and deductions
  • Identification
    • Social insurance number (SIN)
    • Email address
    • Information about your residence
    • Marital status
    • Information about your spouse or common-law partner
  • Elections Canada
    • National Register of Electors (the Register)
    • Response instructions (responding to questions is optional)
    • Removal from the Register
    • Contacting Elections Canada

Is this guide for you?

This guide will help you complete your 2015 income tax and benefit return. It is important to use the forms book for the province or territory where you lived at the end of the year so that your provincial or territorial tax and credits can be calculated properly. In your forms book you will find a copy of the return and schedules needed to calcute your federal and provincial or territorial tax and credits. To make sure you are using the correct forms book, see Which forms book or other tax package should you use?.

What's new for 2015?

We list the service enhancements and major changes below, including announced income tax changes that are not yet law at the time of printing. If they become law as proposed, they will be effective for 2015 or as of the dates given.

Our services

MyCRA – This is a new mobile application that lets you securely view and change key tax information. See MyCRA – the web app for individual taxpayers on the go.

Auto‑fill my return – The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can automatically fill in much of your tax return if you file electronically. See Auto-fill my return.

Notice of assessment – Your notice of assessment will have a new look that makes it easier to see the most essential information first. See Notice of assessment (NOA) or go to Notice of assessment.

Individuals and families

Universal child care benefit (UCCB) – The UCCB has increased to $160 per month for each qualified dependant under 6 years of age and there is a new benefit of $60 per month for each qualified dependant aged 6 through 17. See Universal child care benefit (UCCB).

Child care expenses (line 214) – The maximum limit per child has increased by $1,000. See Form T778, Child Care Expenses Deduction for 2015.

Family caregiver amount for children under 18 years of age (line 367) – The amount for children under 18 years of age has been eliminated and replaced by the enhanced universal child care benefit. Line 367 is now used for the family caregiver amount for children under 18 years of age.

Family tax cut (line 423) – For 2014 and later years, the calculation for the family tax cut has been revised to allow unused tuition, education, and textbook amounts transferred from a spouse or common‑law partner. See line 15 of Schedule 1‑A, Family Tax Cut.

Children’s fitness tax credit (lines 458 and 459) – The children’s fitness tax credit is now a refundable credit.

Interest and investments

Other deductions (line 232) – The minimum amount that must be withdrawn each year from a registered retirement income fund (RRIF), variable benefit money purchase registered pension plan (RPP), and pooled registered pension plan (PRPP) has been reduced. If you have withdrawn more than the reduced 2015 minimum amount, all or part of the excess may be eligible to be re‑contributed to a RRIF, RPP, account under a PRPP, or to buy a qualifying annuity and deducted on line 232.

Capital gains deduction (line 254) – The lifetime capital gains exemption for dispositions of qualified farm or fishing property made after April 20, 2015 has increased to $1,000,000, resulting in a capital gains deduction limit of $500,000. See Guide T4037, Capital Gains.

Interest paid on your student loans (line 319) – Interest paid on a Canada Apprentice Loan amount for registered Red Seal apprentices can be claimed on this line. For more information about the Canada Apprentice Loan, go to Service Canada.

Investment tax credit (line 412) – Eligibility for the mineral exploration tax credit has been extended to flow-through share agreements entered into before April 2016.

Form T1135, Foreign Income Verification Statement – This form has changed to introduce a simplified reporting method for individuals who own specified foreign property with a total cost of less than $250,000 throughout the year. See Form T1135.

Tax‑free savings account (TFSA) – The TFSA annual contribution limit has increased to $10,000.

Other changes

Repeated failure to report income penalty – We may now charge you this penalty only if the amount of income you failed to report on your return was $500 or more. The calculation of the penalty has changed. See Repeated failure to report income penalty.

General information

Before you start

Do you have to file a return?

You must file a return for 2015 if any of the following situations apply:

• You have to pay tax for 2015.
• We sent you a request to file a return.
• You and your spouse or common-law partner elected to split pension income for 2015. See lines 115, 116, 129, and 210.
• You received working income tax benefit (WITB) advance payments in 2015.
• You disposed of capital property in 2015 (for example, if you sold real estate or shares) or you realized a taxable capital gain (for example, if a mutual fund or trust attributed income to you or you are reporting a capital gains reserve you claimed on your 2014 return).
• You have to repay all or part of your old age security or employment insurance benefits. See line 235.
• You have not repaid all amounts withdrawn from your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) under the Home Buyers' Plan or the Lifelong Learning Plan. For more information, go to What is the Home Buyers' Plan? or see Guide RC4112, Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP).
• You have to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). This can apply if for 2015 the total of your net self-employment income and pensionable employment income is more than $3,500. See line 222.
• You are paying employment insurance premiums on self-employment and other eligible earnings. See lines 317 and 430.

Even if none of these requirements apply, you can file a return if any of the following situations apply:

• You want to claim a refund.
• You want to claim the WITB for 2015.
• You want the GST/HST credit (including any related provincial credits). For example, you may be eligible if you turn 19 before April 2017.
• You or your spouse or common-law partner want to begin or continue receiving Canada child tax benefit payments, including related provincial or territorial benefit payments.
• You or your spouse or common‑law partner want to claim the family tax cut.
• You have incurred a non-capital loss (see line 236) in 2015 that you want to be able to apply in other years.
• You want to carry forward or transfer the unused part of your tuition, education, and textbook amounts. See line 323.
• You want to report income for which you could contribute to an RRSP and/or a pooled registered pension plan (PRPP) to keep your RRSP/PRPP deduction limit for future years current.
• You want to carry forward the unused investment tax credit on expenditures you incurred during the current year. See line 412.

Retired seniors: look for the symbol

The symbol in this guide and in the forms book will help you find instructions for retired seniors. The symbol identifies common types of pension income, as well as deductions and credits that you may be entitled to.

If you received income or can claim deductions or credits that are not identified with the symbol, read the information for that type of income, deduction, or credit in this guide and in the forms book.

Which forms book or other tax package should you use?

Generally, you have to use the forms book for the province or territory where you resided on December 31, 2015. However, there are exceptions, such as residential ties in another place. See the next section for the list of exceptions and also the section below for Other publications you may need.

If you resided in Quebec on December 31, 2015, use the forms book for residents of Quebec to calculate your federal tax only. You must also file a provincial income tax return for Quebec.

Residential ties – These ties include your home (owned or leased) and personal property, your spouse or common‑law partner, and dependants. Other relevant ties may include social ties, driver’s licence, bank accounts and credit cards, and provincial or territorial hospitalization insurance. For more information, see Income Tax Folio S5-F1-C1, Determining an Individual's Residence Status.

Exceptions

In the following situations, use the forms book or tax package specified:

1. If on December 31, 2015, you had residential ties in more than one province or territory, use the forms book for the province or territory where you have your most important residential ties. For example, if you usually reside in Ontario but were going to school in Alberta or Quebec, use the forms book for Ontario.

2. If you are filing a return for a person who died in 2015, use the forms book for the province or territory where that person resided at the time of death.

3. If you emigrated from Canada in 2015, use the forms book for the province or territory where you resided on the date you left. Mail your return to the:

   International and Ottawa Tax Services Office
   Post Office Box 9769, Station T
   Ottawa ON K1G 3Y4
   CANADA.

4. If you resided outside Canada on December 31, 2015, but kept significant residential ties with Canada, you may be considered a factual resident of Canada. Use the forms book for the province or territory where you kept your residential ties.
   
   You also have to complete Form T1248, Information About Your Residency Status – Schedule D, and attach it to your return. Mail your return to the:
   
   International and Ottawa Tax Services Office
   Post Office Box 9769, Station T
   Ottawa ON K1G 3Y4
   CANADA.
   
   If, under a tax treaty, you are considered to be a resident of another country, this may not apply.

5. Generally, if you are not considered to be a factual resident of Canada (see the previous section), and on December 31, 2015, you resided outside Canada and were a government employee, a member of the Canadian Forces or their overseas school staff, or working under a Canadian International Development Agency program, you may be considered a deemed resident of Canada. Use the tax package for non-residents and deemed residents of Canada. This may also apply to your spouse or common-law partner, dependent children and other family members.

6. If you stayed in Canada for 183 days or more in 2015, you did not establish significant residential ties with Canada, and under a tax treaty, you were not considered a resident of another country, you will be considered a deemed resident of Canada. Use the tax package for non-residents and deemed residents of Canada.

7. If throughout 2015, you did not have significant residential ties with Canada and neither E nor F applies, you may be considered a non-resident of Canada for tax purposes. Use the tax package for non-residents and deemed residents of Canada.
   
   However, if you earned income from employment in a province or territory, or earned income from a business with a permanent establishment in a province or territory, use the forms book for that province or territory. Also complete Form T1248, Information About Your Residency Status – Schedule D, and attach it to your return.

Other publications you may need

Unless you resided in Canada all year, you also need one or more of the following publications:

• If you were a non-resident and you earned income from employment or you earned income from a business with a permanent establishment in Canada, get Guide T4058, Non-Residents and Income Tax.
• If you were a non-resident and you received rental income from real or immovable property in Canada, get Guide T4144, Income Tax Guide for Electing Under Section 216.
• If you were a non-resident and you received certain other kinds of income from Canada (including pensions and annuities), get Pamphlet T4145, Electing Under Section 217 of the Income Tax Act.
• If you were a newcomer to Canada in 2015, get Pamphlet T4055, Newcomers to Canada.
• If you emigrated from Canada during 2015, go to Leaving Canada (emigrants).

How to get the tax package you need

If you are filing electronically, use your tax preparation software or web application to select the province or territory where you resided on December 31, 2015.

If you are filing a paper return, you can get a guide, a forms book for your province or territory, and most of our publications at Forms and publications.

What date is your return for 2015 due?

Generally, your return for 2015 has to be filed on or before April 30, 2016.

Self-employed persons – If you or your spouse or common‑law partner carried on a business in 2015 (other than a business whose expenditures are primarily in connection with a tax shelter), your return for 2015 has to be filed on or before June 15, 2016. However, if you have a balance owing for 2015, you have to pay it on or before April 30, 2016. For more information about how to make your payment, see line 485.

Exception to the due date of your return

When the due date falls on a Saturday, a Sunday, or a holiday recognized by the CRA, we consider your return to be filed on time if we receive it or it is postmarked on the next business day. For more information, go to Important dates for 2016 (Individuals).

Deceased persons

If you are the legal representative (the executor, administrator, or liquidator) of the estate of a person who died in 2015, you may have to file a return for 2015 for that person. 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, What to do following a death.

What penalties and interest do we charge?

Late-filing penalty

If you owe tax for 2015 and do not file your return for 2015 within the dates we specify under What date is your return for 2015 due?, we will charge you a late-filing penalty. The penalty is 5% of your 2015 balance owing, plus 1% of your balance owing for each full month your return is late, to a maximum of 12 months.

If we charged a late-filing penalty on your return for 2012, 2013, or 2014, your late-filing penalty for 2015 may be 10% of your 2015 balance owing, plus 2% of your 2015 balance owing for each full month your return is late, to a maximum of 20 months.

Repeated failure to report income penalty

If you failed to report an amount on your return for 2015 and you also failed to report an amount on your return for 2012, 2013, or 2014, you may have to pay a federal and provincial or territorial repeated failure to report income penalty. Under proposed changes, if you did not report an amount of income of $500 or more for a tax year, it will be considered a failure to report income.

As a result of the proposed changes, the federal and provincial or territorial penalties are each equal to the lesser of:

• 10% of the amount you failed to report on your return for 2015; and
• 50% of the difference between the understated tax (and/or overstated credits) related to the amount you failed to report and the amount of tax withheld related to the amount you failed to report.

However, if you voluntarily tell us about an amount you failed to report, we may waive these penalties. For more information, see What is a voluntary disclosure? or go to Voluntary Disclosures Program.

False statements or omissions penalty

You may have to pay a penalty if you knowingly or under circumstances amounting to gross negligence have made a false statement or an omission on your 2015 return.

The penalty is equal to the greater of:

• $100; and
• 50% of the understated tax and/or the overstated credits related to the false statement or omission.

However, if you voluntarily tell us about an amount you failed to report and/or credits you overstated, we may waive this penalty. For more information, see What is a voluntary disclosure? or go to Voluntary Disclosures Program.

Interest

If you have a balance owing for 2015, we charge compound daily interest starting May 1, 2016, on any unpaid amounts owing for 2015. This includes any balance owing if we reassess your return. In addition, we will charge you interest on the penalties explained in the previous sections, starting the day after your return is due.

Cancel or waive penalties and interest

The CRA administers legislation, commonly called the taxpayer relief provisions, that gives 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 years before the calendar year in which a request is submitted or an income tax return is filed.

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 2016 must relate to a penalty for a tax year or fiscal period ending in 2006 or later.

For interest on a balance owing for any tax year, 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 2016 must relate to interest that accrued in 2006 or later.

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

When will we pay interest?

We will pay you compound daily interest on your tax refund for 2015. The calculation will start on the latest of the following three dates:

• May 31, 2016;
• the 31st day after you file your return; and
• the day after you overpaid your taxes.

How to file your return

Filing your return through the Internet

EFILE

EFILE is a secure service that lets authorized service providers, including a discounter, to complete and file your return for you electronically. For more information go to EFILE for individuals.

NETFILE

NETFILE is a secure service that allows you to file your return through the Internet if you prepare your return with tax preparation software or a web tax application. For a list of available software and applications, including free ones, go to Certified software for the 2015 NETFILE program.

Most individuals are eligible to use NETFILE. For more information or to file your return, go to NETFILE – Overview.

Auto‑fill my return

Auto‑fill my return is a new secure CRA service that allows you or your authorized service provider to electronically request and receive tax information that the CRA has available at the time you are filing your return, to help fill in certain parts of your return. CRA will have most tax information slips and other tax-related information, such as T4, RRSP information and carry forward amounts. To use this service you must be registered with My Account, and be using a certified software product that offers this service. For more information go to Auto‑fill my return.

Filing a paper return

Mail your return to your tax centre at the address given on the back of your forms book. If you prepare your return or other people’s returns, mail or deliver each person’s return in a separate envelope. However, if you file returns for more than one year for the same person, put them all in one envelope.

What do you include with your return and what records do you keep?

If you are filing your return electronically, keep all related documentation.

If you are filing a paper return, include one copy of each of your information slips. These slips show the amount of income that was paid to you during the year and the deductions that were withheld from that income. Attach your Schedule 1 (federal tax) and if you were not a resident of Quebec on December 31, 2015, also attach your provincial or territorial Form 428 (provincial or territorial tax). Attach only the other supporting documents that are requested in the guide to support a credit or deduction.

If a tax professional prepares or sends us your return, show the preparer all your supporting documents, such as your information slips, receipts, notice of assessment from last year, and instalment payments summary (on Form INNS1 or Form INNS2).

If you make a claim without the requested supporting document, we may disallow the credit or deduction you claimed. It could also delay the processing of your return.

Keep your supporting documents for six years. Even if you do not have to attach certain supporting documents to your return, or if you are filing your return electronically, keep them in case we select your return for review. We may ask for documents other than official receipts, such as cancelled cheques or bank statements, as proof of any deduction or credit you claimed. Also keep a copy of your return for 2015, the related notice of assessment, and any notice of reassessment. These can help you complete your return for 2016.

For example, your notice for 2015 will show:

• your registered retirement savings plan/pooled registered pension plan (RRSP/PRPP) deduction limit for 2016
• your unused RRSP/PRPP contributions for 2016
• your capital and non‑capital loss balances
• your tuition, education, and textbook amounts carry‑forward balance. See line 323.

Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)

If you need help to prepare your income tax and benefit return and you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, community organization volunteers may be able to prepare your return for you. For more information about the CVITP or to find out how to become a volunteer, go to Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) or call us at 1-800-959-8281.

Tax information videos

We have a number of tax information videos for individuals on topics such as the income tax and benefit return, newcomers to Canada, and tax measures for persons with disabilities. To watch our videos, go to Video gallery.

Can you file a return for a previous year?

We will consider a request for a refund for a previous tax year return that you are filing late, only if the return is for a tax year ending in any of the 10 calendar years before the year in which you make the request. For example, a request made in 2016 must relate to the 2006 or a later tax year to be considered.

If you are filing a return for a year before 2015, attach receipts for all the deductions or credits you are claiming.

Benefits for individuals and families

Goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit

When you file your return, the CRA will determine your eligibility and tell you if you are entitled to receive the GST/HST credit.

Your credit is based on the number of children you have and your net income added to the net income of your spouse or common law partner (if you have one), minus any amount you or your spouse or common law partner reported on lines 117 and 125. If you or your spouse or common-law partner deducted an amount on line 213 and/or the amount for a repayment of registered disability savings plan income included on line 232, we will add these amounts to your or your spouse’s or common-law partner’s net income.

This information is also used to calculate any payments from related provincial programs. Net income is the amount on line 236 of a person’s return, or the amount it would be if the person filed a return.

In the “Identification” area on page 1 of your return, enter your marital status and, if it applies, the information about your spouse or common law partner (including his or her net income, even if it is zero). Either you or your spouse or common‑law partner may receive the credit, but not both of you. The credit will be paid to the spouse or common-law partner whose return is assessed first.

For more information, go to Child and family benefits, see Booklet RC4210, GST/HST Credit, or call us at 1-800-959-1953. To view your GST/HST credit information, go to My Account for Individuals. To view the next GST/HST credit payment date, go to Mobile apps and select MyCRA.

Canada child tax benefit (CCTB) and child disability benefit (CDB)

If you are responsible for the care and upbringing of a child who is under 18 years of age, you can apply for the CCTB for that child. Apply as soon as possible after the child is born or begins to live with you.

You can apply by:

• using Apply for child benefits on My Account for Individuals;
• sending a completed Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application; or
• giving your consent on the provincial birth registration form. For more information about this service, see Booklet T4114, Canada Child Benefits.

This information is also used to apply for payments from related provincial or territorial programs.

In addition to the CCTB, you can receive the CDB if your child meets the criteria for the disability tax credit and we have approved Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, for that child.

The CCTB and the CDB are based on the net income (line 236) shown on your return and, if applicable, your spouse's or common-law partner's return, minus any amount you or your spouse or common-law partner reported on lines 117 and 125. If you or your spouse or common-law partner deducted an amount on line 213 and/or the amount for a repayment of registered disability savings plan income included on line 232, we will add these amounts to your or your spouse's or common-law partner's net income. Therefore, to qualify for these benefits, you both have to file a return every year, even if there is no income to report.

For more information, go to Child and Family Benefits, see Booklet T4114, Canada Child Benefits, or call us at 1-800-387-1193. To view your CCTB information, go to My Account for Individuals. To view the next CCTB payment date, go to Mobile apps and select MyCRA.

Universal child care benefit (UCCB)

If you are responsible for the care and upbringing of a child who lives with you and is under 18 years of age, you may be eligible to receive $160 per month for each child under 6 years of age and $60 per month for each child aged 6 through 17.

To start receiving the UCCB, you must apply for the CCTB. For more information about how to apply, read the previous section, Canada child tax benefit (CCTB) and child disability benefit (CDB).

Although the UCCB is taxable, we do not use it to calculate your GST/HST credit (including any related provincial credits), your CCTB payments (including related provincial or territorial payments), the social benefits repayment (line 235), the refundable medical expense supplement (line 452), or the working income tax benefit (WITB) (line 453). Read the instructions for line 117 to find out how to report the UCCB.

For more information, go to Universal child care benefit (UCCB), see Booklet T4114, Canada Child Benefits, or call us at 1-800-387-1193. To view your UCCB information, go to My Account for Individuals. To view the next UCCB payment date, go to Mobile apps and select MyCRA.

Working income tax benefit (WITB)

The WITB is a refundable tax credit that provides tax relief for eligible working low-income individuals and families.

You can claim this benefit on line 453 of your income tax and benefit return. However, eligible individuals and families may be able to apply for 2016 advance payments.

For more information, see line 453 in this guide, Form RC201, Working Income Tax Benefit Advance Payments Application for 2016, or go to Working income tax benefit (WITB).

Getting started

Gather all the documents you need to complete your return. This includes information slips (such as T3, T4, T4A, and T5 slips) and receipts for any deductions or credits you plan to claim. Refer to the guide as you find lines on the return that apply to you or see the backs of your information slips for more instructions.

You can file electronically or file a paper return. No matter how you file, see What do you include with your return and what records do you keep?.

What if you are missing information?

If you have to file a return for 2015, file it on time even if some slips or receipts are missing. You are responsible for reporting your income from all sources to avoid possible interest and/or penalties that may be charged. If you know you will not be able to get a slip by the due date from the payer, and if you have registered for our My Account service, you may be able to view your tax information slips online by going to My Account for Individuals. Otherwise, attach a note to your paper return stating the payer’s name and address, the type of income involved, and what you are doing to get the slip. Use your pay stubs or statements to estimate the income to report and any related deductions and credits you can claim. Enter the estimated amounts on the appropriate lines of your return. Attach the pay stubs or statements to your paper return. If you are filing electronically, keep all your documents in case we ask to see them at a later date.

Online services

My Account

Using the CRA’s My Account for Individuals service is a fast, easy, and secure way to access and manage your tax and benefit information online, seven days a week.

To log in to My Account, you can use either your CRA user ID and password or the Sign-in Partner option.

View more tax information slips online – You can now view more tax information slips online, such as T3 and T5 slips. Go to My Account for Individuals, and select the “Tax returns” tab and “Tax information slips (T4 and more).”

Auto‑fill my return – By registering for My Account, you can use the new Auto‑fill my return service to automatically fill in parts of your tax return. For more information, see Auto‑fill my return.

An authorized representative can access most of these online services through Represent a Client.

For more information, go to My Account for Individuals.

Handling business taxes online

By registering for either My Business Account or Represent a Client, you can get access to current account balance information and make changes to tax information online.

To register, go to:

• My Business Account, if you are a business owner; or
• Represent a Client, if you are an authorized representative or employee.

For more information, go ta E-services for Businesses.

MyCRA – the web app for individual taxpayers on the go

Getting ready to file? Use MyCRA to check your RRSP deduction limits, look up a local tax preparer, or see what tax filing software the CRA has certified.

Done filing? Use MyCRA to see the status of your tax return and the resulting assessment.

Want information throughout the year? Use MyCRA to check your TFSA contribution room, confirm before you donate that the charity at your door is registered, and calculate the effect your donation will have on your taxes.

To get more details on what you can do with MyCRA and to access the CRA’s web-based mobile app, go to Mobile apps.

Electronic payments

Make your payment using:

• your financial institution’s online or telephone banking services;
• the CRA’s My Payment service at My Payment—save time, pay online!; or
• pre‑authorized debit at My Account for Individuals.

For more information on all payment options, go to Make a payment to the Canada Revenue Agency.

Direct deposit

Direct deposit is a faster, more convenient, reliable, and secure way to get your income tax refund and your credit and benefit payments (including certain related provincial or territorial program payments) directly into your account at a financial institution in Canada.

For more information, go to Direct deposit.

Identification, income, and deductions

Identification

Follow the instructions on the return to complete this area. Incomplete or incorrect information may delay the processing of your return and any refund, credit, or benefit, such as any GST/HST credit and CCTB payments you may be entitled to receive.

Social insurance number (SIN)

Your SIN is the authorized number for income tax purposes under section 237 of the Income Tax Act and is used for certain federal programs. You must give it to anyone who prepares information slips (such as T3, T4, or T5 slips) for you. Each time you do not give it when you are supposed to, you may have to pay a $100 penalty. Check your slips. If your SIN is missing or is incorrect, inform the slip preparer. You must also give it to us when you ask us for personal tax information.

For more information or to get an application for a SIN, contact Service Canada. You can find the addresses and telephone numbers of their offices on their website.

Email address

If you would like to get your CRA mail online, read and agree to the terms and conditions below, and enter your email address. You can also register for online mail at My Account for Individuals and selecting the “Manage online mail” service.

Terms and conditions – By providing an email address, you are registering for online mail and authorizing the CRA to send you email notifications when there is mail for you to view on My Account. To access your online mail, you must be registered for My Account. Any notices and correspondence delivered online on My Account will be presumed to have been sent on the date of those email notifications. You understand and agree that your notice of assessment and notice of reassessment, and any other correspondence eligible for online delivery, will no longer be mailed.

For more information, go to My Account for Individuals and select “Receive online mail” before you access your account.

Information about your residence

On the first line, enter the province or territory where you lived or of which you were considered to be a factual resident on December 31, 2015. We need this information to calculate your taxes and credits correctly. For more information, see Which forms book or other tax package should you use?.

On the second line, enter the province or territory where you live now if it is different from your mailing address. We need this information to calculate provincial or territorial credits and benefits you may be entitled to receive.

On the third line, if you were self-employed in 2015, enter the province or territory where you had a permanent business establishment.

On the last line, if you became or ceased to be a resident of Canada for income tax purposes during 2015, enter your date of entry or departure.

Marital status

Tick the box that applied to your status on December 31, 2015. Tick "Married" if you had a spouse, or "Living common-law" if you had a common-law partner. You still have a spouse or common-law partner if you were living apart for reasons other than a breakdown in your relationship. Tick one of the other boxes only if neither of the first two applied.

Spouse

This applies only to a person to whom you are legally married.

Common-law partner

This applies to a person who is not your spouse, with whom you are living in a conjugal relationship, and to whom at least one of the following situations applies. He or she:

1. has been living with you in a conjugal relationship and this current relationship has lasted at least 12 continuous months;
   
   Note
   In this definition, 12 continuous months includes any period you were separated for less than 90 days because of a breakdown in the relationship.
   
2. is the parent of your child by birth or adoption; or
3. has 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 that person for support.

Information about your spouse or common-law partner

You must provide us with the following information, if applicable:

• your spouse's or common-law partner's social insurance number;
• your spouse's or common-law partner's first name;
• your spouse's or common-law partner's net income - enter the amount from line 236 of your spouse's or common-law partner's return, or the amount it would be if he or she filed a return. Enter this amount even if it is zero. We use this information to calculate the GST/HST credit and other credits and benefits;
  
  Note
  Even though you show this amount on your return, your spouse or common-law partner may still have to file a return for 2015. For more information, see Do you have to file a return?.

• your spouse's or common-law partner's universal child care benefit (UCCB) – enter the amount from line 117 of your spouse's or common-law partner's return, or the amount it would be if he or she filed a return. Although this amount is included in your spouse's or common-law partner's net income, we will subtract this amount to calculate credits and benefits;
• your spouse's or common-law partner's UCCB repayment – enter the amount from line 213 of your spouse's or common-law partner's return, or the amount it would be if he or she filed a return. Although this amount is deducted in the calculation of your spouse's or common law partner's net income, we will add this amount to calculate credits and benefits; and
• your spouse or common-law partner was self-employed in 2015 – tick the box if your spouse or common-law partner was self-employed. If your spouse or common law partner carried on a business in 2015 (other than a business whose expenditures are primarily in connection with a tax shelter), your return for 2015 has to be filed on or before June 15, 2016.

Elections Canada

National Register of Electors (the Register)

The Register contains the name, sex, date of birth, address, and unique identifier of eligible electors (Canadian citizens who are 18 years of age or older) and is used to produce electoral lists and to communicate with electors for federal elections or referendums. Note that inclusion in the Register is at the option of the elector. Consenting to provide your information to Elections Canada will help ensure you are correctly registered.

Elections Canada will use the information you provide only for purposes permitted under the Canada Elections Act. The Canada Elections Act allows for the electoral lists produced from the Register to be shared with provincial/territorial electoral agencies for uses permitted under their respective legislation. The Canada Elections Act also provides for electoral lists that do not include date of birth information to be shared with members of Parliament, registered political parties and candidates at election time.

Response instructions (responding to questions is optional)

If you are a Canadian citizen, tick the “Yes” box next to question A (“Are you a Canadian citizen?”) on page 1 of your return. If you are not a Canadian citizen, tick the “No” box next to question A.

If you are a Canadian citizen and you would like to authorize the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to give your name, address, date of birth, and Canadian citizenship status to Elections Canada, tick the “Yes” box next to question B (“As a Canadian citizen, do you authorize the Canada Revenue Agency to give your name, address, date of birth, and citizenship to Elections Canada to update the National Register of Electors?”) on page 1 of your return. If you are a Canadian citizen but do not authorize the CRA to give this information to Elections Canada, tick the “No” box next to question B.

This information is not used by the CRA for the purpose of processing your return.

If you tick "Yes" to both questions

• You authorize the CRA to give only your name, address, date of birth, and Canadian citizenship status to Elections Canada to ensure that your information is up to date.
• If you are an eligible elector who is not already in the Register, Elections Canada will accept this as your request to have your information added to it.

If you tick "No" to one or both questions (or do not make a choice)

• The CRA will not give any of your information to Elections Canada.
• You will not lose your right to vote.
• Elections Canada will not remove your information from the Register if it is already there.
• If there is an election or referendum and you are not already registered, in order to vote, you will have to take the necessary steps to be added to the electoral list. More information can be obtained directly from Elections Canada.

Removal from the Register

You can write to Elections Canada to request to be removed from the Register, or that your information not be shared with provincial/territorial electoral agencies that use it to produce their electoral lists.

Deceased persons

If the return is being completed for a person who consented to provide information to Elections Canada on his or her last return but has since died, the CRA will notify Elections Canada to remove the person's name from the Register.

Contacting Elections Canada

For more information visit Elections Canada or call 1-800-463-6868. Teletypewriter users can call 1-800-361-8935.

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Date modified:

2016-03-10