A Simple Guide to What You May Be Eligible For
Living in Canada comes with many supports designed to help individuals and families with the cost of living, raising children, staying healthy, and more. But to access many of these benefits, you must file your income tax return every year, even if you made little or no income.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the main federal and provincial benefits you may qualify for in 2024–2025:
🍼 Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
If you are the primary caregiver of a child under 18, you may qualify for a monthly tax-free payment to help with the cost of raising children.
- Based on your family income.
- You must file taxes every year to keep getting it.
- Payments run from July to June and are recalculated annually.
💵 Goods and Services Tax (GST/HST) Credit
This is a quarterly payment to help individuals and families with low to modest incomes offset the GST or HST they pay on purchases.
- If you’re 19 or older, you may qualify.
- Payments are sent every 3 months in April, July, October, and January.
🌍 Canada Carbon Rebate (formerly Climate Action Incentive)
A quarterly rebate to help offset the costs of federal pollution pricing.
- Automatically given to most people after filing taxes.
- Amounts vary by province and whether you live in a rural or urban area.
- Paid out in April, July, October, and January.
Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)
If you’re working and earn a low income, you may be eligible for the CWB — a refundable tax credit.
- You can also get advance payments throughout the year.
- It’s meant to encourage employment and help low-income workers.
🏥 Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)
If you live in Alberta and have children under 18, this benefit may provide additional quarterly payments to help with expenses.
- Based on your 2023 tax return for payments starting July 2024.
- Issued four times a year: August, November, February, and May.
🎓 Benefits for Students
- You may be eligible for tuition tax credits and can carry them forward.
- Interest paid on student loans can be claimed on your tax return.
- Some provinces offer additional student-specific rebates or grants.
Seniors Benefits
- Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS): For low-income seniors receiving Old Age Security (OAS).
- Age Amount Tax Credit: A non-refundable tax credit available if you’re 65 or older and meet the income threshold.
- Medical Expense Tax Credit: Available for a wide range of eligible medical expenses not covered by insurance.
🧾 Why Filing Taxes Matters
Filing your tax return is the key to unlocking these benefits — even if you didn’t earn much last year. The government uses your tax information to determine your eligibility. If you don’t file, you could miss out on thousands of dollars in support.
✔ Quick Tip:
Create a CRA My Account to check what benefits you’re getting, update your address or banking info, and track your payments.