The cost of living is rising, and many seniors—especially those on a fixed or modest income—are feeling the pressure. Filing your income tax and benefit return on time can help you get benefit and credit payments that can help make life more affordable.

With the 2026 tax-filing season approaching, we are sharing some important tax information.

Filing due dates for 2025 taxes

  • April 30, 2026: Deadline to file your taxes

  • June 15, 2026: Deadline to file your taxes if you or your spouse or common-law partner are self-employed

File your taxes on time to keep getting the payments you’re entitled to

If you are 65 or older and have a low income, it’s very important to file your tax return every year, even if you earned little or no income.

Your tax return is used to decide if you can receive benefits like:

If you file late—or do not file at all—your payments could be delayed or stopped until your tax return is processed.

Tax credits that can help lower your tax payable

You may be able to claim tax credits that lower the amount of tax you pay or help with everyday expenses.

Credits for older Canadians

Age amount credit
If you are 65 or older at the end of 2025 with a net income under $105,709, you may be eligible for the age amount credit. You can transfer all or part of this credit to a spouse or common law partner.

Pension income amount credit
You may qualify for this credit if you report certain types of pension income on your tax return. Income from Old Age Security (OAS) benefits, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) benefits are not eligible for this credit.

Pension income splitting
If you are married or in a common-law relationship, you may be able to share eligible pension income with your spouse or partner to lower the total tax your family pays.

Credits for caregiving and disability

Canada caregiver credit
This credit may be available if you support a family member with a mental or physical impairment who depends on you for basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter.

Disability tax credit
This credit helps reduce income tax for people with severe and prolonged impairments. In some cases, supporting family members may also be able to claim this credit.

Credits for health and housing costs

Medical expense tax credit
You may also be eligible if your medical expenses exceed 3% of your net income or $2,834 (whichever is less). You may also be able to claim eligible expenses paid for certain family members, as long as they were not reimbursed.

Home accessibility expenses credit
This credit helps cover the cost of home renovations that make your home safe and more accessible for seniors or people with disabilities. The renovation must be permanent, and the credit will cover up to $20,000 in eligible renovation costs per year.

Multigenerational home renovation tax credit
This refundable credit provides 14.5% (up to $7,250) for renovations that help you add a secondary suite for an older family member, or an adult that is eligible for the disability tax credit, so that they can live with you.

To find out about other tax credits you may be eligible for, visit the Canada Revenue Agency’s All deductions, credits and expenses page.

Easier ways to file your taxes

There are several ways for you to file your taxes. You can file online, over the phone, or on paper.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) encourages older Canadians to:

These options can help you receive your payments and any refund faster.

Have you heard of SimpleFile?

SimpleFile is a free, fast and secure service offered to people with a lower income and a simple tax situation.

Check your CRA account in early March for your SimpleFile invitation package. If you don’t have a CRA account, you may receive your package by mail. Some people who received a paper invitation last year may receive their invitation in their CRA account this year.

Invited individuals will be able to choose between:

  • SimpleFile Digital

  • SimpleFile by Phone

With SimpleFile Digital you can file your taxes with this service in just a few clicks—no forms, no fees and no stress.

If you did not receive an invitation but have a lower income and a simple tax situation, you still may be able to use SimpleFile Digital by completing the eligibility questionnaire. Curious about the plans for the automatic tax-filing services announced in Budget 2025? Check out the CRA’s new infographic on automatic tax filing.

SimpleFile is available 7 days a week, from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. ET, starting March 9, 2026.

Did you retire or turn 65 in 2025?

The CRA’s Taxes when you retire or turn 65 webpage includes helpful information on:

  • types of income to report;

  • ways to reduce the tax you may owe; and

  • how living abroad may affect your taxes.

Need help filing?

Free tax clinics are run by trained volunteers. They cannot charge you and must keep your information confidential. This service is available for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation. Find a free tax clinic near you.

Stay informed

Follow the Seniors in Canada Facebook page, as we will be providing useful tax information throughout the tax-filing season.

Please share this information to help ensure that older Canadians receive the benefits and supports they are entitled to—when they need them.

Yours sincerely,

Employment and Social Development Canada and Service Canada

Ways for older Canadians to stay informed: