Neena is a 19-year-old international student who moved to Canada to pursue her undergraduate studies. She has never had to think about filing taxes or applying for benefit and credit payments before.

That changes when a conversation with a classmate introduces her to something completely new: Canadian taxes.

As she learns more, Neena starts to understand what government payments she might be eligible for and how to file an income tax and benefit return. She begins to see how much there is to know about taxes and how important they are to life in Canada.

Filing a tax return isn’t only for people with jobs

At first, Neena is puzzled. She isn’t earning income in Canada yet, so why does she need to file a return? She searches online and finds the webinar for international students. She learns that filing a tax return isn’t only for people with jobs. It can unlock valuable benefits like:

• GST/HST credit payments
• Carrying forward or transferring unused tuition credits
• Creating RRSP contribution room
• Getting a refund for any taxes withheld

Filing every year, even with no income, can make a big difference in the long run.

Residency for tax purposes is not the same as immigration status

Through her research and the webinar, Neena discovers another key point. Residency for tax purposes is not the same as immigration status. Neena is considered a resident of Canada for tax purposes because she has:

• opened a bank account
• secured housing
• a Canadian driver’s license

That means she has to file a return and report any global income, even if she isn’t working in Canada.

This is an eye-opener. Filing taxes isn’t optional. It is her responsibility as a resident student.

Side gigs are taxable

Neena loves to cook. She has built a YouTube channel about it as a hobby. She’s now interested in monetizing her content. Neena discovers the Learn About Your Taxes online learning tool from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and learns about the tax implications of making money as an influencer.

She realizes that even as a student, it’s important to understand her tax responsibilities, especially if she earns income from side gigs or online platforms.

In a twist of fate, her new (and cute!) friend, Alex, messages her back on the very topic of taxes. They decide to meet on campus for some tax talk and tacos.

Is love in the air? Stay tuned!