Faire ses impôts au Québec — deux déclarations, deux paliers de gouvernement.
1. Why you must file taxes
In Canada, all residents must file a tax return every year — even with no work. It's the condition to receive the Canada Child Benefit, the GST credit, and other benefits.
2. Quebec's specificity: two returns
In Quebec, you must file two returns every year:
- The federal return (T1) — for Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- The provincial return (TP1) — for Revenu Québec
This is unique to Quebec. In other provinces, a single return is enough.
3. The deadline: April 30
The deadline is April 30 each year, for the previous year. For self-employed workers, the deadline is June 15, but any payments owed are still due April 30.
4. Documents to keep
Before filing your taxes, gather:
- All your T4 slips and Relevés 1 (slips from your employer)
- Medical receipts, daycare fees, charitable donations
- Your SIN and that of your family members
5. How to file
Three options:
- Tax software: TurboImpôt, Wealthsimple Tax, H&R Block — often free for modest incomes
- Accountant: between $80 and $200 depending on complexity
- Free tax clinic: for modest-income filers, organized by volunteers
6. Your action list
Follow these concrete steps to file your first tax return. Check each box as you go — your progress is saved if you're signed in.
- Gather the slips: T4, RL-1, and other receipts
- Note your arrival date in Canada (for the part-time resident calculation)
- Choose a method: software, accountant, or free clinic
- Submit the federal return (T1) before April 30
- Submit the provincial return (TP1) before April 30
- Register your bank account for direct deposit of refunds
7. Credits and benefits available to newcomers
Several credits and benefits are linked directly to your return. Most are automatically calculated from your first return — you receive nothing if you don't file.
Reference: for a family of 4 with two young children and a combined income of $60,000, the annual benefits total often exceeds $15,000. That's the deciding argument for never skipping a return — even the first year you barely worked.
| Benefit | Level | Typical amount | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Child Benefit (CCB) | Fed. | ~$7,700/yr per child under 6 | At least 1 child |
| GST/HST credit | Fed. | ~$500/yr (single) | Modest income |
| Medical expense credit | Fed. + Prov. | Variable | Expenses over 3% of net income |
| Quebec Family Allowance | Prov. | ~$2,900/yr per child | Residence in QC |
| Solidarity tax credit | Prov. | ~$1,100/yr (tenant) | Tenant in QC |
| Shelter allowance | Prov. | up to ~$960/yr | Rent over 30% of income |
| Childcare expense credit | Prov. | up to 75% of expenses | Daycare or CPE |
8. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions for newcomers: am I a Canadian tax resident from arrival, must I declare income from my home country, why does Quebec have two returns, which free software to use, and what to do if I can't finish by April 30.
Am I considered a Canadian tax resident from arrival?
Yes, as soon as you establish significant ties in Canada — housing, spouse, dependent children, personal belongings.
Your first return will be marked as part-time resident for the year — you declare only income earned from your arrival date. Note that date carefully — it's a mandatory field on both returns.
Must I declare income earned in my home country before arrival?
For the portion of the year before your arrival in Canada, no — you weren't yet a Canadian tax resident. For income earned abroad after your arrival, yes — Canada taxes residents on worldwide income.
Tax treaties with your home country generally prevent double taxation. An accountant familiar with immigration files helps clarify first-year edge cases.
Why does Quebec have two returns while other provinces have one?
Because Quebec is the only province that collects its own income tax fully autonomously. Other provinces let the Canada Revenue Agency collect via a single return.
Quebec has run its own tax system separately since 1954 — a historical choice tied to provincial autonomy. Practical consequence: two forms, two identical April 30 deadlines, two separate refunds.
Which tax software is free and easy to use?
Wealthsimple Tax is the most used for simple returns — entirely free, certified by both CRA and Revenu Québec, and handles both returns in parallel. TurboImpôt also offers a free version for modest incomes.
All these allow filing electronically via NETFILE, which speeds up the refund (typically 8 to 14 days).
What if I can't finish my return before April 30?
File anyway, even late — the late-filing penalty is calculated on tax owed, so if you owe nothing, the penalty is zero.
If you owe money, interest starts accruing on May 1. For a truly difficult case (lost documents, family situation), call Revenu Québec or the CRA — they grant extensions in some cases.
9. Official sources
For official information:
By phone: Canada Revenue at 1-800-959-7383; Revenu Québec at 1-800-267-6299.
10. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Understanding your Quebec pay stub — the paycheque withholdings the return reconciles.
- Understanding GST and QST in Quebec — the other tax-side that triggers the GST credit.
- Family Allowance in Quebec — the financial benefit triggered by your first return.
Author's Note: Never skip a return, even in a year with no income. Refunds and credits are among the best financial benefits of being a Canadian resident. Every year, no exceptions.
