Tax season is here again, and it’s time to gather your documents. Beyond the usual T4 slips and RRSP contribution statements, there are several credits and deductions to be aware of for the 2022 tax year. Below is a clear, practical summary of key deadlines, federal tax credits, and changes that may affect your return.
When are 2022 taxes due?
The standard filing deadline for most individuals is April 30, which in 2023 falls on a Sunday, so the deadline becomes May 1, 2023. If you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed, you have until June 15, 2023 to file—but any tax owing must still be paid by May 1, 2023.
Sole proprietors and partnerships generally follow the same May 1, 2023 deadline unless their fiscal year differs from the calendar year; in that case, the return is due six months after the fiscal year end.
Filing annually is not just a legal obligation; your tax return determines eligibility for benefits and credits such as the Canada Child Benefit, the GST/HST credit, provincial benefits and newer payments like the Climate Action Incentive. A Notice of Assessment is often required for things like daycare subsidies or mortgage qualification, so keeping returns current is important.
What is the Canada workers benefit?
The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) is a refundable tax credit designed to support low-income working individuals and families. It has two components: a basic amount and, where eligible, a disability supplement.
“Low income” thresholds vary by family type and province. Excluding Quebec, Nunavut and Alberta, the general net income eligibility for 2022 is:
| Family (with or without children) and single parents | Less than $42,197 |
| Single without children | Less than $32,244 |
The basic maximum CWB amounts for 2022 are up to $1,395 for single individuals and up to $2,403 for families; these amounts are reduced as adjusted net income rises above set thresholds ($22,944 for singles and $26,177 for families).
What is the disability supplement?
If you qualify for the Disability Tax Credit and have an approved T2201 Disability Tax Credit Certificate on file with the CRA, you may also be eligible for the CWB disability supplement. The maximum supplement for 2022 is $720 for eligible individuals and families, subject to income-based phase-outs.
Who gets the Climate Action Incentive payment?
The Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) is a refundable amount paid to residents of provinces where the federal carbon pricing backstop applies. In 2022, residents of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba received quarterly payments, with a final instalment in January 2023. The CRA determines eligibility when you file your return.
There is no income test for the CAIP. You must be a resident of one of the eligible provinces on the first day of the payment month and the last day of the previous month. The payment also depends on household composition—individual, spouse/partner, and children under 19. Typical annual CAIP amounts for 2022 were:
- Ontario: $373 (individual); $186 (spouse); $93 per child under 19; $186 for first child in a single-parent family
- Manitoba: $416 (individual); $208 (spouse); $104 per child under 19; $208 for first child in a single-parent family
- Saskatchewan: $550 (individual); $275 (spouse); $138 per child under 19; $275 for first child in a single-parent family
- Alberta: $539 (individual); $270 (spouse); $135 per child under 19; $270 for first child in a single-parent family
Can you still claim home office expenses?
If you are an employee who worked from home in 2022 because of COVID-19, or if you are self-employed, you may be able to claim home office expenses. For 2022 the temporary flat-rate method remains available if you worked more than 50% of the time from home for a period of at least four consecutive weeks due to the pandemic.
Under the flat-rate method you can claim $2 for each day you worked from home, up to a maximum of $500 (250 days). This method requires no supporting documents or employer forms. If you prefer to claim actual expenses using the detailed method, you must keep supporting receipts and obtain a completed and signed T2200S or T2200 from your employer.
Eligible and ineligible home office expenses
Commonly accepted expenses for the detailed method include a portion of the following:
- Electricity and heating
- Water
- Portion of condominium fees that covers utilities
- Home internet access fees (in cases where they are attributable to work)
- Maintenance and minor repairs
- A portion of rent if you rent your principal residence
If you earn commission income, you may also be able to claim home insurance, property taxes and a prorated share of equipment (phone, computer, tablet) related to earning that commission.
Items generally not claimable include mortgage principal and interest, capital expenses (for example, replacing windows or a furnace), and furniture or decorative items; however, capital costs for business-use assets may be addressed through capital cost allowance rules.
Tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles
The CRA added two new capital cost allowance (CCA) classes for eligible zero-emission vehicles acquired after March 18, 2019 and available for use before 2028. CCAs let businesses deduct the cost of depreciable assets over time.
Class 54 covers motor passenger vehicles (excluding taxis and vehicles intended for lease or rental) with a 30% CCA rate. For 2019 the capital cost limit was $55,000 plus sales tax for eligible purchases; this limit is subject to annual adjustment.
Class 55 applies to vehicles acquired for lease or rental, or taxis, with a 40% CCA rate. Eligible vehicles include plug-in hybrids with a minimum battery capacity of 7 kWh, fully electric vehicles, and hydrogen-powered vehicles that are street-legal. Vehicles that received federal purchase incentives are excluded from these CCA classes.
Return of fuel charge proceeds to farmers tax credit
This measure allows farmers in provinces that do not meet the federal benchmark for carbon pricing (Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan) to claim a refund of a portion of fuel charge proceeds. Eligible claimants include self-employed farmers and farming partnerships with at least $25,000 in total farming expenses across related businesses.
Eligible educator school supply tax credit
Eligible educators can claim up to $1,000 in qualifying school supplies and expenses. For the 2022 tax year the refundable tax credit rate is 25%, so the maximum credit is $250. New additions for 2022 included remote learning tools, digital timers and graphing calculators. Eligible items may include:
- Books, educational games and puzzles
- Calculators, including graphing calculators
- Containers and classroom storage
- Computer equipment used outside the classroom (laptops, desktops, tablets not supplied by the school) plus webcams, microphones and headsets
- Digital timers and educational software
- External data storage devices, multimedia projectors, printers, speakers and video streaming devices
- Wireless pointer devices
Provincial tax credits to check
In addition to federal credits, most provinces and territories offer their own tax credits and benefits. For example, Ontario’s staycation credit allows a claim for eligible accommodation expenses up to a set limit with a provincial rebate. Check your provincial or territorial government tax pages for credits, rebates and deductions specific to your region.
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
What else to know when you file
Before you start, gather all supporting documents: income slips, registered plan contributions, investment and retirement statements, receipts for work-related expenses, union dues, childcare and charitable donations, and any self-employment business expenses.
Most commercial tax software is updated each year to reflect new legislation. These programs will guide you through inputting information and calculate whether you owe tax or will receive a refund. If you’re uncomfortable preparing your return, hiring an accountant or tax preparer can be worth the cost to avoid mistakes or missed benefits. The CRA also outlines security protocols for filing and will never request payment by gift card or ask for personal information by email—be vigilant for scams.
Further reading on personal income taxes
- 2022 tax brackets in Canada, by income and province
- RRSP contribution limits for 2022
- Top tax tips for Canadians for 2022 filing
- How GIC returns are taxed in Canada
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