If you receive any amounts from government programs such as Canada Child Benefit, GST/HST credit, Disability Tax Credit, Canada Workers Benefit, these are all considered tax credits or benefits.
The federal (and provincial) governments provide taxpayers with a number of tax credits and benefits which are delivered through monthly or quarterly direct payments. In many cases, eligibility for such benefits and the amount which may be received is based, in part, on the taxpayer’s income for the immediately previous tax year.
The “benefit year” for most such federal and provincial benefits runs from July 1 to June 30. Consequently, the next benefit year will begin on July 1, 2023, and eligibility for benefits beginning then will be based (in part) on the taxpayer’s income during 2022.
In order to receive benefits during the 2023-24 benefit year, the taxpayer must have filed a tax return for 2022, so that eligibility for such benefits can be determined. Anyone who may be eligible for benefits during 2023-24 but has not yet filed a return for 2022 should do so as soon as possible, in order to avoid an interruption in benefit payments. Information on the upcoming benefit year can be found on the federal government website at https://www.canada.ca/en/services/taxes/child-and-family-benefits.html.
If you would like help with dealing with the CRA or would like to know more about taxable benefits, please feel free to call us at (905) 305-9722 or email us at info@eigenmachtcrackower.com and we will help you out!
