Short, practical guides for your first years in Canada.
Working holiday tax timeline
What to do about tax from the day you arrive to the year after you leave.
1Right after you arrive
Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN). You need it to work and to file taxes.
Benefits such as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit) are based on your tax return. In your first year, you may need to apply with Form RC151.
Keep your pay stubs, rent receipts and medical receipts from the start.
2February to April, tax season
Your employer gives you a T4 slip by the end of February. Ask for it if you haven't received it.
Collect rent receipts or e-Transfer records. In Ontario, rent can help you qualify for the Ontario Trillium Benefit.
Collect receipts for medical expenses.
File your return by April 30. Filing online gets your refund fastest.
3When you leave Canada
Tell the CRA your departure date by calling 1-800-959-8281, so benefit payments stop correctly.
You still file a return for the year you leave. If your address is outside Canada, a paper return may be required. We can help with both.
How to register for CRA My Account
My Account lets you see your returns, refunds, benefits and RRSP or TFSA room online.
1Before you start
You need: your SIN, date of birth, current postal code, and an amount from your most recent tax return.
You must have filed at least one return in the last two years.
2Register
Go to the CRA sign-in page on canada.ca and choose CRA My Account for individuals.
Sign in with your online banking (Sign-In Partner), or create a CRA user ID and password.
Enter your personal details and the amount from your tax return.
3Verify your identity
Fastest: the document verification service. Take a live photo of yourself and a photo of an accepted government photo ID with your phone.
Or: request a CRA security code by mail. It arrives within about 10 business days at the address the CRA has on file.
Until you verify, you can still see some information, such as your return status and Notice of Assessment.
Personal tax checklist
Gather these before you start, and filing will go smoothly.
1About you
Full name, address, SIN and date of birth
Marital status, and the date it began if it changed
Date you arrived in Canada, and your income before arrival, if you came in the tax year
2Income slips
T4 (employment income)
T4A (scholarships, other income)
Any other slips you received
3Credits and deductions
T2202 tuition slip
Rent receipts or payment records
Medical expense receipts
RRSP contribution receipts
4Spouse or common-law partner
Name, SIN, date of birth and net income for the year
Updated November 2026. This guide is general information, not tax advice for your situation.