Benefit from filing your income tax and benefit return

(NC)—It's that time of year again—tax season. You may be thinking that because you have no income to declare, you can avoid the hassle of filing your income tax and benefit return. But did you know that to get credits and benefits, like those on the GST/HST you paid, or for the Canada Child Tax Benefit, you are required to file?

Here's more information even if you have no income to report:

• GST/HST credit: A tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset all or part of the GST/HST they pay.

• Canada Child Tax Benefit: The CCTB is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children under age 18 (it may include the national child benefit supplement and the child disability benefit).

To avoid interruptions to your benefit and credit payments, make sure you file by the deadline, which is April 30, 2013, or June 17, 2013 if you or your spouse or common-law partner is self-employed. Make filing your taxes easier by filing online, using the certified software listed on the Canada Revenue Agency website at www.netfile.gc.ca/software. Free software options are available. If you need help filing, you may qualify for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, which offers tax preparation clinics hosted by volunteers in various community organizations. Find the nearest clinic at www.cra.gc.ca/volunteer.

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