Taxology – The Official Canada Revenue Agency Podcast

If you are a newcomer or an international student (welcome!), this episode is for you. On top of learning the Canadian way of life, like managing the snow, ice skating, and how to pronounce poutine, you need to understand Canada's tax system. Start here to find out about taxes in Canada and what benefit and credit payments you may be eligible for. Doing your taxes could help you. You may be able to claim education costs or get a tax refund, which is money in your pocket. Tax-free savings plans may also help you save for your future in Canada. Whether you're a student starting your first year of post-secondary studies or a newcomer supporting your family this episode of Taxology will boost your tax literacy and give you the confidence to make informed tax decisions.

For all you parents out there! Maybe you have a newborn, adopted a child, or have a new parenting situation. If you have a new child in your life, it's important to let the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) know since it can affect your taxes and benefits, like the Canada child benefit (CCB) On this episode of Taxology, a CRA expert explains the CCB, clarifies misconceptions and shares how you can apply. We can't help you change diapers or build a crib, but we can help you get the benefits and credits you're eligible for! So get that baby carrier on, and we will talk while you walk.

The disability tax credit (DTC) is a non-refundable credit that helps persons with disabilities who have a severe and prolonged physical or mental impairment affecting their daily lives. The credit can also help the family members who support the person with a disability to reduce the amount they may have to pay at tax time. In this episode, we chat with a CRA expert on the DTC, to help you understand the credit and the application process, and to clear up any misconceptions.

“Hello, this is the Canada Revenue Agency…” – yes, it's really us this time! However, there are bad actors who will impersonate employees of the CRA and other government departments for fraud and scam attempts. Some scams are easy to spot, and some are not! In this episode, we continue with information to protect yourself from these attempts. On the previous episode, we met with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for tips on protecting yourself from fraud and scams. On this episode, we now meet with a CRA expert to discuss when and how the CRA may legitimately contact taxpayers, and how the CRA helps protect your information if you were scammed. We also meet with a member of the CRA's marketing team, to talk about our efforts to inform Canadians about scams through the Be Scam Smart escape rooms you may have seen in malls across Canada in 2024.

Did you know the Government of Canada has a department that helps police gather intelligence to protect Canadians from fraud and scams? Last year, Canadians lost $569M to fraud – and that's just what was reported! In this episode, we get tips from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) to protect yourself from scammers. An expert from the CAFC joins us in this collaboration episode, to discuss the various fraud and scams she sees across the Government of Canada. We learn about the warning signs to look out for in fraudulent messages, the most common types of scams, and what to do if you or a family member may have been a victim to a scam.

It's easy to get lost in an internet rabbit hole when trying to learn about the "platform economy" and what it means for your taxes. Whether you're a rideshare driver, a video game streamer, or a social media influencer, this episode has something for you! Originally recorded in 2023.

Are you saving for that next car or trip? Maybe even thinking about retiring early? In this episode, our CRA experts explain the basics of a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) and a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). We'll dive into the differences between the two and answer the most frequently asked questions. Originally recorded in 2023.

Hello? It's us, the CRA! In this episode, experts from our contact centre give you some top tips on how to file your taxes this year. We also give you tips for calling the CRA, so you don't lose time trying to reach us! Originally recorded in 2023.

Introducing Taxology, the new podcast from the Canada Revenue Agency! On this podcast, we'll cover Canadian taxes, help you understand them and learn about the benefits and credits you may be eligible for! Whether you're doing taxes for the first time, want to improve your tax knowledge, or are just curious about what the heck the CRA is doing - Taxology is here for your listening pleasure!