According to the Canada Revenue Agency, the average tax refund in 2011 was $1,583. It is nice to receive a cheque from the government but a tax refund is not good, because you are only receiving your own money back. Your tax refund is money you have overpaid the government...

Filing your tax return may seem like an unnecessary task if you earned little to no income during the year. Or if you are expecting a refund, your attitude may be that there is no rush to file by the April 30 tax deadline. However, there are some very good...

It is amazing how much your life can change in the span of a year. Perhaps you graduated and are now working full-time after moving to a new place. Or you bought your first home. Or you may have welcomed a new addition to your family in 2012. All these...

The first few years of filing a tax return are usually easy: you have one T4 slip with your employment income and no deductions. But even with only one or two slips, you should still be aware of the deductions you can claim. And even if you don't claim them...

No matter how your academic career ends, there comes a point when you join the workforce and (hopefully) start earning a regular paycheque. Earning income means you have the privilege of paying income tax. It may not be your first thought, but tax planning is an important part of a...

According to a recent Leger Marketing survey, approximately 10 per cent of Canadians say they have already filed their return. I am one of those people. I like to get it done early. But there are millions of taxpayers who will wait until April or later to file a tax...

There are many different types of tax preparers but one of the most trusted is mom and dad. Many younger Canadians rely on parents to help them file their first tax returns, but there does come a time when you need to take control of your tax return and learn...

It is hard to get away from the ads for Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) at this time of year. Every bank is encouraging you to make a contribution because it will mean a tax refund. They will even loan you money to make a contribution. But before you make...

It is not exactly a date marked on every calendar, but February 11 is the official start of tax season. It is the day the Canada Revenue Agency opens its electronic filing system for 2012 returns.

The e-filing option started in 1991 and has grown significantly. Last year, more than...

Not everyone likes February. It can be cold and snowy, and it is the official start of tax season, so it is easy to see why it may get a bad rap. But the end of the month is also the deadline for Canadian employers to issue T4 slips, and...