Why this matters for newcomers
In many countries, taxes are only about paying. In Canada, your tax return is also your application for benefits. The government uses it to decide how much support to send you each month or quarter. If you don't file, the payments stop, even if you earned nothing. For a family with young children, this can mean missing more than $15,000 a year.
Apply as soon as you arrive: you don't have to wait
Newcomers can apply for benefits before filing their first tax return. You'll be asked about your income from all countries for the years before you arrived, so the government can calculate your payments.
| Your situation | Form to use | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| No children | RC151 (can be done online) | Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and related provincial programs |
| Children who qualify for the Canada Child Benefit | RC66 plus schedule RC66SCH | Canada Child Benefit, the Groceries and Essentials Benefit, and provincial programs, all in one application |
| Children who don't yet qualify for the Canada Child Benefit | RC151 (by mail, with proof of birth for each child) | Groceries and Essentials Benefit, including amounts for your children |
The benefits most newcomer families can receive
Canada Child Benefit (CCB). A tax-free monthly payment for families with children under 18. For July 2026 to June 2027, the maximum is $8,157 a year for each child under 6 and $6,883 a year for each child aged 6 to 17. Families with an adjusted family net income under $38,237 get the full amount; it slowly decreases as income rises.
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. This is the new name (since July 2026) for what used to be called the GST/HST credit. It's a tax-free quarterly payment for people with low and modest incomes, and it was increased by 25% for five years starting in July 2026.
Provincial and territorial benefits. Many provinces add their own child or family benefits, such as the Ontario Child Benefit, and these are usually paid automatically along with the federal ones.
Example: Priya and Daniel
They arrived with two children, aged 3 and 7, and their family income is under $38,237. If they qualify for the maximum Canada Child Benefit, they could receive $8,157 + $6,883 = $15,040 a year, tax-free, about $1,250 a month. They only keep receiving it if both parents file a tax return every year.
Filing your taxes each year
- The deadline is usually April 30 for the year before. File even if you had no income.
- Both spouses or partners must file for family benefits to be calculated.
- Your first return is special: you only report income earned after you became a resident of Canada, and you'll need your date of arrival.
- Free tax clinics run by volunteers (the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program) help people with modest incomes file for free. Many settlement agencies can connect you.
Newcomer tip
Once you're a resident, Canada taxes your worldwide income, including rent from a property back home or interest on a foreign bank account. If the total cost of your property and investments outside Canada (not counting a home you personally use) is more than $100,000, there is an extra form to file (T1135). Penalties for missing it can be large, so mention any foreign assets to whoever helps you file.
Your next small step
Pick one. Do it this week.
- Submit RC66 (if you have children) or RC151 as soon as you have your SIN.
- Sign up for CRA My Account online so you can see your benefits and contribution room.
- Put “file taxes by April 30” in your calendar for every year, for both partners.
Track it on your first-year checklist →
Learn more
Official, free sources. Always check these for the latest amounts before making a decision.
- Newcomers to Canada: taxes and benefitsCanada Revenue Agency
- Canada Child BenefitCanada Revenue Agency
- CRA My AccountCanada Revenue Agency
- Free tax clinics (CVITP)Canada Revenue Agency
- Foreign income verification (T1135)Canada Revenue Agency