General information only — not financial advice for your situation.
This is a learning tool. Always check CRA My Account records and talk to a qualified professional for your own numbers.
Plain English
The main tax return form every Canadian files each year. It's where you add up your income, claim deductions and credits, and figure out what you owe or get back.
Technical definition
The T1 General — Income Tax and Benefit Return is the annual return filed by Canadian individuals with the CRA. It reports total income from all sources, calculates net and taxable income after deductions, applies federal and provincial credits, and determines the final tax payable or refund owing.
Examples
- • You file your 2025 T1 General by April 30, 2026, reporting $75,000 employment income, $5,000 RRSP deduction, and claiming the basic personal amount credit.
- • A self-employed person files their T1 General by June 15, 2026, but any balance owing is still due by April 30.
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About this site
Every number on this site is sourced from CRA publications, the Income Tax Act, or provincial fiscal releases. We show the math, cite the sources, and never tell you what to do with your money.