Personal income tax must be filed by everyone in Canada with working status and have significant tie to Canada as of December 31st. The deadline for filing is April 30, 2025.
For self-employed individuals, the extended deadline for filing is June 15, 2025.
Do All International Students Need to File Taxes in Canada?
If you are an international student studying in Canada anytime in 2024, you may need to file a Canadian income tax return in 2025.
Generally speaking, all students in Canada must file an income tax return, whether they are working or not. As students, they often fall under the category of secondary residential ties, which include factors such as having a Canadian bank account, paying school fees in Canada, owning a car in Canada, holding a Canadian driver’s license, and having a Canadian credit card.
These factors demonstrate significant residential ties to Canada, making students eligible to file taxes, even if they have no income to report. It’s important to understand these criteria, as failing to file can impact access to benefits and credits.
It’s important to note that with the CRA, residency status is not determined by whether you are a permanent or temporary resident. Instead, it is based on significant ties to the Canadian economy. To understand how you will be taxed in Canada, it is essential to determine your residency status.
Here is brief detail about residency status in Canada.
Who needs to file taxes in 2025?
All Canadian residents who live and work in Canada are required to file taxes. For more details, visit the CRA.
Key Details to Note:
February 18, 2025: This is the earliest date you can file your tax return. Filing early ensures you receive your refund sooner.
February 28, 2025: Employers must issue T4 slips to their employees by this date. This means you should receive your T4 by this deadline to file your taxes. These slips are typically provided through your workplace, sent to your work email, or made available on your employer’s portal.
If you haven’t received your T4 by the deadline, contact your employer immediately to ensure you get it on time. Remember, you must include all T4 slips from every job you held in 2024, even if you worked there for just one day. Missing a T4 can delay your tax filing and refund.
Free Tax Filing for Student
Tax filing is free and you all can do it your self. You can file your taxes online. There are numerous video tutorials available to guide you through the process. Popular tools include Wealth simple, NETFILE, and EFILE, which are easy to use.
Set up a pre-authorized debit with the CRA to receive your refund directly into your bank account.
Consider hiring a tax professional if needed. The cost typically ranges from $15–$25 for simple returns involving T4 slips, contributions, and single status. Avoid paying more than $25 for basic filings.
Free Tax Clinics
The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) partners with community organizations to host free tax clinics. These clinics are specifically designed to help individuals with modest incomes and simple tax situations. Trained and dedicated volunteers provide assistance by preparing and filing tax returns at no cost.
This program aims to ensure that those who may not have the means to afford professional tax services can still meet their tax obligations and access the benefits and credits they are entitled to. Free tax clinics are often held in various locations, such as community centers, libraries, and places of worship, making them accessible to a wide range of people.
To find out if you qualify and locate a clinic near you, visit the CRA website
Every community in Canada hosts its own one-day or two-day tax clinics through local initiatives. Stay updated by connecting with your community circle to find out when these events take place.
Attending these clinics not only helps you get your taxes filed for free (if you qualify) but also provides an excellent opportunity to network with others in your community. Building connections at such events can open doors to new relationships and resources
This is a progressive blog, and more information will be added soon. Stay tuned for updates…typing….
