The deadline for filing your 2024 income tax and benefit return is April 30, 2025. Are you ready?

It’s important to file on time. By doing so, you can avoid delays or interruptions to any refund, or benefit and credit payments you’re eligible for. If you have a balance owing, you’ll avoid penalties and interest by filing and paying on time.

Here are some tips to help you this tax-filing season.

Assistance for lower-income households
You could get free tax help if you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, such as if your income comes from employment, a pension, social assistance or scholarships.

Across Canada, community organizations and volunteers can provide free tax clinics through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. In Quebec, it’s called the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program. You may be able to find a clinic at your local library, shelter, senior’s centre, band office, or place of worship.

Also, this year, two million letters are being sent to lower-income individuals for a free, secure, invitation-only filing method that can be done over the phone or digitally.

Manage your tax affairs online
Earlier this year, the Canada Revenue Agency simplified the process for registering for an online account, allowing you to manage your personal tax and benefit and credit information online. Now, instead of having to wait for a security code in the mail, you can verify your identity immediately with the document verification service. In your account, you can also quickly and easily update your personal information, like your address, phone number and marital status.

File online
Last year, 93 per cent of Canadians filed their tax return online. Filing online using a certified software program is easy and, in some cases, free. There’s also an option to autofill your return that makes the process even easier if you’re already registered for an online account with the agency.

Plus, if you register for direct deposit and are owed a refund, you could get your payment within eight business days.

Changes and new benefits
Every year, there are changes that could impact your income tax and benefit return, so it’s important to stay on top of things. This year’s changes include:

  • Eligible first-time homebuyers can now withdraw up to $60,000 from their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (up from $35,000) to buy or build a qualifying home.
  • If you operate a non-compliant short-term rental property, you can’t deduct any related expenses incurred during the portion of the tax year where it is non-compliant. For 2024, there is an exception that as long as your property became compliant with the applicable laws of the municipality or province where it is located by December 31, 2024, you are considered compliant for all of 2024.
  • If you’re a volunteer firefighter or a search-and-rescue volunteer and completed at least 200 hours of service last year, the amount your credit is based on has increased from $3,000 to $6,000.

Learn more about tax-filing changes at canada.ca/taxes-whats-new.