Tax season for 2024 has officially kicked off across Canada and Quebec, bringing important updates and resources to help Canadians navigate their filing obligations. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Revenu Québec have introduced various tools and programs aimed at ensuring taxpayers are aware of their benefits and credits, simplifying the tax filing process.
The Honourable Élisabeth Brière, Minister of National Revenue, announced the launch of the tax season, emphasizing the importance of filing taxes regardless of one’s financial situation. "La saison des impôts est officiellement lancée! Peu importe votre situation, il est important de produire votre déclaration de revenus. Vous recevrez ainsi les prestations et crédits auxquels vous avez droit..." she stated, highlighting the various benefits available to taxpayers such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Credit, the Canada Child Benefit, and the Canadian Workers Benefit.
From today, Canadians are able to submit their 2024 tax returns electronically using various authorized software programs, as confirmed by Revenu Québec. They encourage residents to take advantage of the new ImpôtNet Québec system, which ensures rapid processing and confirmation of submissions. "Dès aujourd'hui, il est possible de transmettre les déclarations de revenus pour l'année d'imposition 2024..." said Revenu Québec, promoting their easy user interfaces for tax filing.
Important deadlines to keep in mind include April 30, 2025, for individual taxpayers and June 16, 2025, for those self-employed or filing jointly with self-employed partners. With the usual deadline of June 15 falling on a Sunday this year, any returns received on the following business day will be considered timely. Failure to meet these deadlines could lead to penalties, underscoring the necessity of forming good filing habits early.
Digital communication is also being prioritized: taxpayers can choose to receive notifications and documentation through Revenu Québec’s secure portal, Mon dossier, eliminating reliance on traditional postal services. This not only speeds up processing times but also aligns with eco-friendly initiatives. "Revenu Québec est un allié des citoyens et des citoyennes en ce qui concerne la production de leur déclaration de revenus..." they remarked, encouraging users to switch to electronic communications.
To support low-income individuals, both agencies continue to bolster their tax assistance programs. Last year, approximately 198,000 people benefited from volunteer assistance to file their taxes, made possible through collaborations with community organizations. This significant volunteer effort reflects the commitment to bridging resource gaps for those who need it most. The agencies have confirmed their continued support for low-income assistance initiatives, emphasizing their aim to help individuals maximize their tax credits and entitlements. Nearly 90% of individual filings last year were electronic, with 67.7% resulting in tax refunds, illustrating the growing trend toward digital filing methods.
Canadians who did not earn any income during 2024 or whose income is non-taxable are still encouraged to file their tax returns annually to remain eligible for various benefits. The CRA reminds residents of the available programs and tools to aid the filing process, including certain credits worth up to $7,997 for children under six and $1,590 for qualified workers.
Finally, both revenue agencies are working diligently to protect taxpayer information amid growing concerns around potential fraud. Enhanced security measures are being implemented, including multi-factor authentication protocols across various services to safeguard against unauthorized access. Taxpayers are urged to remain vigilant during this busy tax period and report any suspicious activities accordingly.
The CRA and Revenu Québec aim to facilitate compliant and stress-free tax experiences for all Canadians, assuring citizens they are committed to ensuring fair taxation and adherence to policies. Such transparency helps to create trust between taxpayers and revenue systems—core principles of Canadian financial governance.
With April 30 approaching, now is the time for Canadians to gather their documents, seek assistance if needed, and fulfill their tax obligations efficiently and effectively, ensuring they receive all the benefits and credits they deserve.