Canadian Tax System
In Canada, like many other countries, there is a taxation system to collect money from individuals and businesses. Here the taxation system is managed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
The collected tax money pays for government services and programs. Our tax dollars pay for things like paving of roads, health care, public schools, economic stimulus programs, employment programs, cultural activities, etc.
Types of Taxes
Income Tax
The main form of tax in Canada is the Income Tax. You pay income tax when you:
- Have a job - your employer deducts income tax from your paycheque and submits it on your behalf to CRA.
- Own a business - any money earned in your business and expenses paid on your business need to be reported to CRA every year, and you have to pay taxes on profits earned.
- Earn money - for example, if you earn interest on the money you have invested.
Sales Tax
When you buy something (products or services) in Canada, you pay sales taxes. Sales tax systems and amounts are not the same in all Canadian provinces.
Some provinces use federal and provincial sales taxes separately. The federal tax of 5% (Goods and Services Tax - GST) is the same in all provinces, while the provincial sales tax (PST) varies from province to province.
Other provinces, including PEI, use the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). HST is a combined tax amount that includes both federal (GST) and provincial sales taxes, and it is administered by the federal government.
In PEI the HST is 15%.
Filing the Income Tax Return
As a newcomer to Canada, you are considered a 'resident of Canada for income tax purposes' when you establish residential ties in Canada. This usually is on the date you arrive in Canada. [See Related Resources]
There are two ways to file your income tax return:
- Electronically, by using the NETFILE service on the Internet along with a certified tax preparation software or web application.
- Fill in an income tax form by hand, then mail or deliver it to your local tax centre. You can get the forms at your local post office, online or at the local CRA office.
[See Related Resources]
How to Get Help with Filing Income Tax Return
There are several ways to get help with completing your income tax return:
- Use the CRA online course Learn About Taxes. [See Related Resources]
- Pay a professional to help you, like a bookkeeper, accountant, or a tax preparation service.
- Make an appointment with a Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). This program organizes tax preparation 'clinics' for people with low income who cannot fill out the return by themselves and cannot afford to pay to have it done for them. Call the CRA or check out their website to find a Voluntary Tax Preparation Clinic in PEI.
