Tax Help for Newcomers to Canada in Calgary
Welcome to Calgary! Your first Canadian tax return is about more than paying tax. It is how you start receiving government benefits like the GST/HST credit, the Canada Child Benefit and the Canada Workers Benefit, and it builds the record you’ll need for loans, mortgages and future applications. Garg Accounting helps new permanent residents, work-permit holders and international students in Calgary get it right from year one.
What makes your first return different
- Date of residency: you report worldwide income only from the day you became a resident of Canada, and income from before that day is reported differently for credits.
- Benefits applications: newcomers apply for the Canada Child Benefit and GST/HST credit with special forms and proof of status. We help you complete these.
- Foreign income and property: after your first year, income and assets abroad (bank accounts, rental property, FDs) may need to be reported. We explain what applies to you.
- Tuition and moving expenses for students and workers who moved for school or a job in Canada.
- Spouses still abroad: how your marital status and a spouse outside Canada affect your benefits.
How we help newcomers
- First-year and every-year personal tax returns.
- Canada Child Benefit and GST/HST credit applications.
- Setting up CRA My Account and direct deposit so refunds arrive faster.
- RRSP, TFSA and FHSA basics so you start saving tax-efficiently.
- Starting a business or working as a contractor, Uber or delivery driver.
Documents to bring
- Your SIN, PR card / work or study permit, and date you arrived in Canada.
- T4 and other slips; tuition form T2202 if you studied.
- Rent receipts or address history, and details of income earned outside Canada in the year.
- Your spouse’s and children’s details, including their status and arrival dates.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to file taxes in my first year in Canada?
If you lived in Canada for part of the year, you should file. Even with little or no income, filing is how you receive benefits such as the GST/HST credit and Canada Child Benefit.
Do I report income I earned in India or another country before I came?
Income earned before you became a resident is not taxed in Canada, but it is reported for benefit and credit calculations. After you become a resident, your worldwide income is taxable in Canada, with credits for foreign tax paid.
Can international students file a tax return?
Yes. Students can claim tuition credits and may receive the GST/HST credit, and filing builds your Canadian record.
Can I get help with documents I don't understand?
Yes. Bring any CRA letter or form and we will explain it in plain language and tell you what action, if any, you need to take.
Helpful guides: tax slips explained · your Notice of Assessment · home office expenses · RRSP vs FHSA · year-end tax tips · how to choose an accountant in Calgary
Garg Accounting · 4310 104 Avenue NE, Unit 3230, Calgary, AB T3J 1W5 · +1 368-995-6000 · info@gargaccounting.ca · Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:30 PM
Related: Personal tax filing · GST/HST filing · Bookkeeping · Incorporation · Contact
