Welcome to Canada. Your first Canadian tax return is one of the most important financial steps you will take as a new resident — and getting it right from day one unlocks thousands of dollars in government benefits, credits, and refunds that many newcomers never claim simply because they do not know they qualify.
At Filing Taxes, our multilingual team helps newcomers across Toronto, Mississauga, and the GTA file accurate, CRA compliant tax returns
in English, Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi — making your first Canadian tax season simple, stress-free, and financially rewarding.
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Est. 2009
What We Offer
As a newcomer to Canada, you are required to file a Canadian tax return for the year you become a resident for tax purposes. If you arrived in Canada in 2025, your first tax return is due April 30, 2026. If you arrived in 2026, your deadline is April 30, 2027. Missing this deadline does not just mean a late filing penalty — it means losing access to thousands of dollars in government benefits and credits that you and your family are legally entitled to receive from the moment you become a Canadian resident.
Your first Canadian tax return is not just a legal obligation — it is your formal application for the Canada Child Benefit, GST/HST credit, Ontario Trillium Benefit, and other provincial and federal programs that put real money in your pocket every month. At Filing Taxes, our tax return specialists for newcomers understand exactly what new Canadian residents need to report, which income to include, how to handle foreign income earned before arrival, and how to ensure every eligible benefit is claimed accurately on your very first return.
✅ File T1 return for the year you became a Canadian resident
✅ Report all Canadian income AND world income earned after arrival date
✅ Claim Canada Child Benefit — up to $7,787 per child under 6
✅ Claim GST/HST credit — quarterly cash payments from CRA
✅ Claim Ontario Trillium Benefit for eligible residents
✅ RRSP contribution room begins accumulating from arrival year
✅ TFSA contribution room of $7,000 per year from date of residency
✅ Foreign property over $100,000 must be declared on Form T1135
Your Benefits & Credits
Most newcomers leave thousands of dollars in government benefits unclaimed every year — simply because they did not know they qualified. Here is exactly what you are entitled to claim from your very first Canadian tax return.
A tax-free monthly payment for families with children under 18. Newcomers with children qualify from the moment they become Canadian residents. Benefits reach up to $7,787 per child under 6 and up to $6,570 per child aged 6 to 17 — paid monthly directly to your bank account.
A quarterly tax-free payment to help offset the GST and HST you pay on everyday goods and services. Newcomers are automatically considered for this credit when they file their first tax return. Single individuals can receive up to $950 and eligible families can receive up to $1,890 annually in 2026.
A combined monthly benefit for Ontario residents that includes the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, Northern Ontario Energy Credit, and Ontario Sales Tax Credit. Newcomers settling in Toronto and across Ontario qualify from their first year of Canadian residency.
Every Canadian resident — including newcomers — can earn up to $16,452 in 2026 completely tax-free through the Basic Personal Amount federal non-refundable tax credit. This amount is prorated based on your arrival date if you became a resident part-way through the year.
As a new Canadian resident, you begin accumulating RRSP contribution room from your first year of Canadian income. You also receive $7,000 in TFSA contribution room for each year of Canadian residency. These registered accounts are among the most powerful tax-saving tools available to Canadian residents.
If you paid income tax to your home country on income you are also required to report in Canada after your arrival date, you may be able to claim a Foreign Tax Credit using Form T2209 — preventing double taxation on the same income in two different countries. Our specialists ensure every available credit is applied to your return.
What You Need
Filing your first Canadian tax return is much simpler when you have everything organized in advance. Here is exactly what our team needs from you to file your return accurately.
📄 Social Insurance Number (SIN)
📄 Date you became a Canadian resident
📄 T4 slip from Canadian employer (if employed)
📄 Foreign income earned after arrival date
📄 Bank of Canada exchange rate for currency conversion
📄 Rental receipts (if renting — for Ontario Trillium Benefit)
📄 Childcare receipts (if applicable)
📄 Tuition receipts — T2202 (if studying in Canada)
Why Filing Taxes?
Filing your first Canadian tax return involves unique complexities that standard tax software and generalist accountants often handle incorrectly — from prorating credits based on your Canadian residency start date to accurately reporting foreign income earned before arrival, declaring foreign property on Form T1135, and applying foreign tax credits correctly to avoid double taxation. Getting these elements wrong on your first return can trigger CRA review letters, delayed benefits, and assessments that take months to resolve.
At Filing Taxes, our multilingual team has helped hundreds of newcomers across Toronto, Mississauga, and the GTA file accurate, complete first-year tax returns that unlock every benefit they are entitled to — without errors, without delays, and without the stress of navigating the Canadian tax system alone. Whether you arrived from Pakistan, India, the Philippines, the Middle East, or anywhere else in the world — our team speaks your language and understands your situation. We provide personal tax return services specifically tailored for new Canadian residents, and our cross-border tax expertise ensures your foreign income and assets are handled correctly from your very first filing.
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The People Behind Your Success
A forward-thinking team with intricate knowledge and rich experience in Canadian taxation and accounting.
Salman Rundhawa
CEO, MBA
15+ years guiding clients through personal & corporate tax strategies across Canada.
Adeel Asim
Tax Manager
Specialist in corporate tax, HST compliance, and cross-border tax planning.
401 Bay Street, Suite 1600 Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4, Canada
5770 Hurontario St Suite 102 Mississauga, ON L5R 3G5
Not near an office? Reach us virtually — phone, email, or WhatsApp for a free consultation.
FAQs
Have questions about filing your first Canadian tax return as a newcomer? We have answered the most common ones below. Still need help? We are just one call away.
Call Us: (416) 479-8532Software We Work With
We're experts in all major accounting and tax software platforms — whichever your business already uses, we can seamlessly work with it.
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