It’s fair to say that filing taxes might not be top of mind for teenagers or young adults. But knowing when you’re required to file, and why it can be beneficial even when you’re not, can pay off sooner than you’d think. Plus, it sets the foundation for strong financial habits in the future.
In Canada, there’s no official minimum age for filing a tax return, but once you start earning taxable income, you are expected to start filing a tax return each year.
Key Points
- There’s no minimum age to file taxes in Canada – if you earn taxable income, you may need to file a return.
- Teenagers and students can benefit from filing even if they’re not required to do so, thanks to potential refunds, tax credits and more.
- Filing early helps build a tax history and ensures you don’t miss out on valuable government benefits and programs down the line.
When Do You Start Paying Taxes In Canada?
In Canada, you’re expected to start paying taxes as soon as you earn taxable income above a certain amount. There’s no set age requirement or minimum. Instead, it all comes down to taxable income.
Whether you’re under or over the age of majority in your province, if you make money from a job, freelance work or even tips, that income should be reported to the CRA. However, if you’re earning below the Basic Personal Amount (BPA) for a given tax year, you won’t owe any income tax.
The BPA acts as a threshold, meaning that if you do earn more than that in a year, you may owe income tax. But even if you earn less, filing a return can still be a smart move to claim refunds, credits or start building your RRSP room.
What Age Do You Have To File Taxes In Canada?
There is no minimum age to file taxes in Canada.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) doesn’t base tax filing on age, but on income.
While most provinces set the minimum work age at 14 or 15, anyone earning taxable income, whether through a part-time job, acting gigs or other sources, is eligible to file a tax return.
Do People Under 18 Pay Income Tax In Canada?
Yes. Teenagers who earn taxable income must file a tax return, even if they’re still in school or living at home. Regardless of what the source of income is, if a minor earns above the Basic Personal Amount (which is $16,129 for 2025), they are required to file.
Benefits Of People Under 18 Paying Income Tax In Canada
Filing taxes early isn’t just about compliance. It can offer real financial advantages for young working people. Even if you’re not required to file, there are several reasons why it could be a smart move.
Land A Tax Refund
Even if a minor doesn’t owe any taxes, their employer might still be deducting income tax from their paycheques.
Filing a return allows them to claim that money back. Since most working teens earn below the Basic Personal Amount, they will usually qualify for a full refund of any taxes withheld. This is the most immediate and tangible benefit of filing as a minor.
Earn RRSP Contribution Room Early
Any earned income reported on a tax return, regardless of age, creates Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contribution room for the future.
The earlier someone starts filing, the earlier they begin accumulating this room. That contribution space carries forward indefinitely, giving teens a head start on retirement savings. It can also help them prepare for the Home Buyers’ Plan if they choose to use RRSPs to purchase a first home later in life.
Establish A Tax Profile With The CRA
Filing taxes early means you’ll be building a tax history with the Canada Revenue Agency sooner. This can be useful later in life when applying for government assistance, benefits, student loans or grants.
A consistent filing record shows financial responsibility and can reduce complications when transitioning to certain financial milestones down the line.
Qualify For Tax Credits In The Future
While younger teens may not yet qualify for refundable tax credits like the GST/HST credit, filing now helps streamline your eligibility in the years ahead.
Once you turn 19, you may become eligible for these credits if your income remains low, and so filing tax returns in previous years ensures there are no delays in accessing those funds.
Practice Financial Responsibility
Filing taxes can be a valuable learning experience. It helps young earners understand how pay works, what deductions are and how government programs interact with earned income.
Whether they file on their own or with a parent’s help, doing so at an early age lays the foundation for strong financial habits and greater independence.
Supports Access to Student Loans and Aid
In some provinces and territories, access to student loans or education grants requires tax return data from the CRA. For that reason, having a return on file, even as a teen, ensures smooth access to those applications when the time comes.
Do People Aged 18+ Have to File Taxes If They Are Not Working?
Generally, no. If you’re over the age of majority with no income or taxable benefits, you’re not required to file a return. But it could be beneficial to do so anyway.
Even with zero income, filing a return can trigger access to future benefits. For example, if you file your taxes at 18, you may qualify for the GST/HST credit once you turn 19. Filing also helps establish your eligibility for credits for the future, even if you have no income to report yet.
Learn more: Do You Have To File Taxes In Canada If You Have No Income?
Benefits Of Filing Your Income Tax With No Income
Even if students or young adults don’t owe taxes, filing a return can unlock access to valuable tax credits and benefits. Here’s a look at the most relevant potential credits:
GST/HST Credit
This is a tax-free quarterly payment offered to low and modest-income taxpayers to help offset sales tax. Students who turn 19 before the start of the next quarter may qualify, even with little or no income.
Tuition Tax Credit
Students can claim the cost of eligible post-secondary tuition fees as a non-refundable tax credit. This reduces the amount of tax owed, and if students don’t need it right away, they can carry it forward to future years or transfer up to $5,000 to a parent, guardian or spouse.
Canada Training Credit (CTC)
For those aged 26 to 65, the Canada Training Credit accumulates annually (up to $250/year and max $5,000 lifetime) and can be used to offset eligible tuition or training fees. While most full-time students don’t qualify immediately, it’s something to be aware of as they age into the workforce.
Provincial Credits
Some provinces, like Ontario and British Columbia, offer their own credits or benefits for students and low-income earners. These are also triggered by filing a return, even if no income was earned during the period in question.
Learn more: Tax Tips For Low-Income Earners
Tax Filing Deadlines
The Canada Revenue Agency sets clear deadlines for filing taxes each year, and missing them can lead to penalties or interest charges, especially if you owe money. Young workers or students new to tax filing should mark these dates early, and consider filing even sooner in order to access refunds or credits faster.
- April 30 is the standard tax filing deadline for most individuals. If you earned employment income or other types of personal income, such as interest or dividends from investments, your return should be filed by this date.
- June 15 is the extended deadline for self-employed individuals and their spouses or common-law partners. However, if you owe taxes, interest still starts accruing as of April 30, so it’s best to file and pay by then where possible.
Learn more: When Can I File My Taxes In Canada?
Conclusion
Understanding when to start filing taxes in Canada can give young earners a head start on managing their finances. While there may be no legal requirement to file a return at a certain age, doing so early, especially if you’ve started earning money, can mean quicker access to tax refunds, credits and future tax advantages. It’s a small step that can lead to big financial wins, in both the near and long term.
