Can I work legally in Canada if I am under 18 years old?
Yes!
You can work in Canada if you are 15 years old and you have a valid work permit.
Who needs a work permit?
You need a work permit to work if you are not a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen.
What is income tax?
Every person who is working in Canada pays money to the government.
The amount that you pay depends on how much money you make. It is calculated as a % of the money you make from working.
The government uses this money to pay for things like roads, health care and schools.
How do I pay my income tax?
If you have a job:
Most employers will take income tax off of your paycheck and send it directly to the government.
If you are working for yourself:
And you don’t have a boss, you will need to send income tax to the government each year.
You can send this money to the government through online banking. Your bank can help you set this up if you need it.
You can do this after you fill out your tax paperwork and you know how much you owe the government.
Filling out your tax paperwork is called “Filing your taxes.”
How do I file my taxes?
It can be difficult to file your taxes the first couple of times in Canada
Especially if you are a refugee claimant or have another temporary immigration status. We recommend that you get help from an organization that provides free tax help.
What are the benefits of filing my taxes?
Do I need to file my taxes if I am working but I am under 18?
Yes!
Everyone in Canada who is making money from any kind of work needs to file their taxes
You need to file your taxes even if your employer already sent your income tax directly to the government.
What happens if I don’t file my taxes?
There are some special programs, like health benefits, that you can only access if you file your taxes.
If you work for yourself and you owe the government money, you will have to pay extra if you file your taxes late.