Who Has to File a Return — Montreal CPA Firm Near You: 2024 Filing Obligations, Benefits, and Strategic Reasons to File

For the 2024 tax year, many Canadians are required to file an income tax return, while others should file even if no tax is owing in order to access benefits, build RRSP room, or protect future tax planning opportunities. Knowing when you must file versus when it is simply smart to file can prevent penalties, preserve benefits, and keep your tax profile up to date with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

This guide explains who must file a 2024 return, why your spouse or common-law partner often needs to file as well, when you can trigger additional credits such as the Canada workers benefit, how capital gains and RRSP withdrawals affect filing obligations, and what happens for deceased persons. It is written to help individuals and families in Quebec and across Canada understand their responsibilities and avoid costly oversights.

Filing when required is a legal obligation. Filing when strategic is a planning opportunity.

Filing because the CRA requested a return or tax is owing

You must file a 2024 return if the CRA sends you a formal request to file. Ignoring a request can lead to estimated assessments, penalties, and collection actions, even if you believe you owe nothing. A requested return is always priority.

You must also file if you owe tax for 2024 or if you want to claim a refund. Many people assume they only file if they owe, but the reverse is often true: you may be entitled to a refund of withheld tax, refundable credits, or overpaid instalments. Filing is the only way to crystallize those amounts.

Filing to receive federal credits and benefits

Even if you expect no tax payable, you must file (and your spouse or partner must also file) to start or continue receiving:

Canada child benefit (CCB) and related provincial and territorial benefits
GST/HST credit and related provincial and territorial credits and benefits
Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR), depending on your province or territory of residence
Guaranteed income supplement (GIS) for low-income seniors

These programs are income-tested. The CRA uses your tax return to determine family net income and calculate payments. If you or your spouse/common-law partner fail to file, CCB, GST/HST credit, CCR, or GIS may be delayed, reduced, or stopped entirely.

For families in Quebec, CCB data also feeds into related provincial programs; filing both federal and Québec returns is essential to keep benefits current.

Filing for the Canada workers benefit and advance payments

You must file a return if you want to claim the Canada workers benefit (CWB) and receive advance Canada workers benefit (ACWB) payments. This is particularly important for low- and modest-income workers, including many self-employed individuals, part-time workers, and those with fluctuating income.

The CWB is a refundable credit: you can get money back even if no tax is owing. Filing is the only way to claim it and trigger advance quarterly payments.

Filing when you split pension income

You must file if:

You and your spouse or common-law partner jointly elect to split eligible pension income

Pension income splitting can reduce the overall tax burden for couples where one spouse has significantly higher pension income. The election requires both spouses to file and complete the applicable schedules. Without both returns, the election cannot be processed.

Filing when you dispose of capital property or realize a taxable capital gain

You must file a 2024 return if:

You disposed of capital property (which may include your principal residence)
You realized a taxable capital gain in 2024

This includes:

Sale of real estate (rental, second homes, land)
Disposition of a principal residence (which must still be reported even if fully exempt)
Sale of shares and investments
Disposition of certain business assets

Failing to report property dispositions can trigger penalties and complications, especially when principal residence exemption claims are involved.

Filing when you must repay OAS or EI benefits

You must file a return if:

You have to repay all or part of your old age security (OAS) benefits
You have to repay all or part of your employment insurance (EI) benefits

These repayments (OAS recovery tax and EI repayment) are calculated based on your income and must be reconciled through the tax return.

Filing for RRSP withdrawals under the HBP or LLP

You must file if:

You have not repaid all amounts you withdrew from your RRSP under the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) or the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP)

If you miss required repayments, part of the unpaid amount is added to income; the calculation is done through the annual tax return. Failing to file can cause misreporting and long-term consequences for RRSP room.

Filing when you must contribute to CPP or pay EI on self-employment income

You must file if:

Your total net self-employment income and pensionable employment income for 2024 exceeds $3,500 (triggering CPP contributions)
You are paying EI premiums on self-employment income or other eligible earnings

CPP contributions on self-employment are calculated directly from your net income reported on the return. The same is true for optional EI for self-employed in eligible industries. Skipping a return can lead to late CPP assessments and interest.

Filing to carry losses, tuition, and tax credits forward

Even if you have no balance owing, you should file if:

You incurred a non-capital loss in 2024 that you want to carry back or carry forward to other years
You want to transfer unused tuition fees or carry forward unused tuition, education, and textbook amounts
You want to carry forward unused investment tax credits from 2024
You want to increase your Canada training credit limit

Non-capital losses can offset income in other years; tuition and investment tax credits can reduce tax in future years. These carryforwards must be established by filing the year in which the loss or credit arises.

Filing to keep RRSP and FHSA room accurate

You should file if you want to:

Report earned income that sets or increases your RRSP deduction limit for future years (reported on your Notice of Assessment and Schedule 7)
Report earned income so your FHSA participation room remains up to date if you opened a First Home Savings Account in 2023 or 2024

RRSP contribution room is based on earned income (employment and business income). FHSA participation relies on reporting and tracking. Filing keeps these limits accurate and protects planning options for retirement and home purchase.

Filing to increase your Canada training credit limit

You may wish to file even with low income if you want to:

Report income that allows you to increase your Canada training credit limit

This limit accumulates over time and can be used to offset eligible training costs in future years.

Deceased persons: filing obligations for 2024

If you are the legal representative (executor, administrator, or liquidator) for the estate of someone who died in 2024, you may have to file a 2024 return for that person. Your duties can include:

Filing the final T1 return and any required optional returns
Filing prior-year returns that were outstanding
Coordinating with the CRA on balances owing

To be recognized as the legal representative, you must send to CRA:

The legal document naming you as representative (complete copy of will, grant of probate, or letters of administration), or
If there is no such document, Form RC552, Register as Representative for a Deceased Person

These documents can be sent online via Represent a Client or by mail to the deceased’s tax centre.

Filing correctly for deceased persons is also essential before applying for a clearance certificate and distributing estate assets.

Strategic reasons to file even when not strictly required

There are additional strategic reasons to file a return even if you are not technically required based on tax payable:

Maintaining eligibility for federal and provincial benefits
Keeping RRSP, FHSA, and CTC limits accurate
Documenting low-income years for future planning (e.g., income-splitting, credit eligibility)
Avoiding CRA assumptions based on missing data

A “nil return” still establishes your income and may significantly help in future years.

Why Mackisen

With more than 35 years of combined CPA experience, Mackisen CPA Montreal helps individuals, families, and business owners stay compliant while recovering the tax refunds and benefits they are entitled to. Whether you are:

Unsure if you must file for 2024
Juggling self-employment income, benefits, and RRSP/HBP/LLP obligations
Acting as the legal representative of a deceased person
Or planning strategically for tuition, RRSP, FHSA, or Canada workers benefit

our team ensures that your returns are filed correctly, deadlines are respected, and opportunities for refunds and credits are never missed.

If you want clarity on whether you must file a 2024 return—and how to use your return to maximize benefits and long-term planning—Mackisen can review your situation and handle the entire filing process from start to finish.