Get ready to do your taxes

Find out what's new for the 2021 tax season and your filing and payment due dates. Begin by gathering your documents to report income and claim deductions, and choose how you want to file and send your completed tax return to the CRA.

Understand your rights as a taxpayer and who should file a tax return.

Steps to get ready for 2021 taxes

1. Find out what's new

   • How COVID-19 benefits impact your taxes

     Reporting COVID-19 benefit amounts on your tax return, tax slip issues and payments options

   • What's new for 2021 taxes

     Changes to benefits, credits, and expenses for individuals and families, and updates to the 2021 income tax package

2. Be aware of key dates for 2021 taxes

   Filing and payment due dates for taxes, contributions, instalment payments, and any amounts you may owe

   Filing dates for 2021 taxes

   • April 30, 2022 (May 2, 2022 since April 30 is a Saturday): Deadline to file your taxes
   • June 15, 2022: Deadline to file your taxes if you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed

   Payment date for 2021 taxes

   • April 30, 2022 (May 2, 2022 since April 30 is a Saturday): Deadline to pay your taxes

3. Know what to report and claim

   • Report your income

     What to report as income, including COVID-19 benefits, self-employment income, foreign investment income, income from assets, or other earnings

   • Claim deductions, credits, and expenses

     Find and claim tax deductions, credits, paid tax instalments and expenses such as home office expenses for employees or paid tax instalments

   • If you are a small business owner or self-employed

     Get free tax help to better understand your tax obligations by booking a virtual visit with a Liaison Officer

   • Get your tax slips

     Understand your tax slips like the T4 and T4A, when you will receive them, and how to get copies

   • If you need more information

     Get answers to frequently asked questions about filing your taxes

4. Keep your CRA information up-to-date

   • Update your personal information

     Tell us about changes to your address or marital status. An incorrect address may result in not receiving your refund, if eligible

   • Set up or change direct deposit information

     To ensure you get your payments and refunds faster, you can sign up for direct deposit or change your account information through the CRA or your financial institution

   • Try our easy-to-use digital services

     If you registered for My Account or the MyCRA mobile web app, you can change your address, phone number, or other personal information that the CRA has on file, as well as enrol for direct deposit

5. Ways to do your taxes

   File your taxes online or by paper, or find other options such as having someone else complete them for you:

   • NETFILE and EFILE Certified tax software (electronic filing)
   • Authorize a representative
   • Community volunteer tax clinic
   • Discounter (tax preparer)
   • File my Return - Automated phone line (by invitation only)
   • Tax filing assistance from a CRA agent

6. Send us your completed tax return

   File your tax return online or mail us your completed tax return to your tax centre

7. Make a payment or wait for your refund

   • Have a balance owing

     Pay the taxes you owed, options if you cannot pay, or arrange to pay over time

   • Getting a refund

     You will get a refund if you paid more taxes than needed

8. After you file your tax return

   Get your notice of assessment, find out the status of your refund, or make a change to your tax return

   To provide feedback on your filing experience or any other CRA service, go to Submit service feedback - Canada.ca

   To formally dispute your notice of assessment or reassessment, credit or benefit decision, you may want to file a notice of objection. To find out if this option is right for you, go to File an objection