Taxes

Most Regent students should file tax returns in Canada. Below, you'll find information about what to expect, what benefits you might be eligible for, and what tax documents you'll receive from Regent.

Taxes in Canada

In Canada, if you earn income from working you must file your taxes for the previous calendar year by April 30. The Canada Revenue Agency (usually known as the CRA) administers the tax system for the country, so most of the information you need to do your taxes will come from the CRA.

The Canadian tax system is based on your residency status, not your citizenship. Most international students file a tax return (that is, submit an income tax form to the government) in order to receive benefits and tax credits (that is, to receive money from the government and/or the chance to pay lower taxes in the future). International students may have to pay Canadian income tax on money earned from Teaching Assistant (TA) or Student Employee (SE) jobs, employment off campus, and business and investments.

Generally, students also have to report income they receive from outside of Canada. Students from countries that have a tax treaty with Canada may not have to pay Canadian income tax. If they receive permission from the CRA, they may also ask their employer not to withhold tax from their Canadian employment income.

Sales Tax and GST/HST Credit

British Columbia residents are subject to a 5% federal sales tax and 7% provincial sales tax on most goods and services. The GST/HST credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with modest incomes offset all or part of the GST or HST that they pay. The CRA will automatically determine your eligibility when you file your next income tax return. Alternatively, new residents can apply for this credit before filing their first income tax return. Details for applying for this tax credit can be found on the Canadian government's.

Other Tax Credits & Benefits

You may be eligible for various tax credits or benefits even if you are not required to pay income tax. Moving expenses such as transportation and storage of personal effects, travel, and temporary accommodation may be considered as an eligible deduction, so save your receipts for the cost of relocating to Canada in case you meet the conditions for claiming the deduction. 

If you have children, you may also be eligible for Child and Family Benefits.

More Information

Tax Forms from Regent

Tax forms reporting your tuition paid, financial aid received, and/or Regent employment income from the previous year will be made available for download from your REGIS or Payworks account as of the last day of February.

For further information on any of these forms, please email our Finance office ([email protected]).

Tuition Tax Receipt (T2202)

You will be issued a T2202 if you have paid tuition during the previous tax year. This may be downloaded from REGIS. You will be reported as a full-time student for each term in which you registered for a minimum of 7.5 credit hours.

  • Note: The Canada Revenue Agency requires Regent to collect either a Social Insurance Number (SIN) or an Individual Tax Number (ITN) from students. Please add yours to REGIS if you wish to receive a tuition tax receipt.

Bursary/Scholarship Tax Receipt (T4A)

You will be issued a T4A if you have received a financial award in the previous tax year. This may be downloaded from REGIS.

Employment Income Receipt (T4)

If you worked as a SE/TA, you will be issued a T4 form as of the last day of February in the following year. This may be downloaded from Payworks.

Help Filing Taxes

If you need help filing your taxes, a tax clinic is a place where eligible people can get their tax returns done for free by volunteers. They are hosted by community organizations across Canada through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP).

Some students access the Tax Assistance Clinic at UBC. A list of other free tax clinics is available on the Government of Canada website.