T1 return (individual income tax)

The T1 is the tax return that every individual in Canada files once a year with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA, federal tax). In Quebec, you also file the TP1, the provincial tax return submitted to Revenu Québec. On this form, you report your income and claim your tax credits and deductions.

At a glance

T1 = an individual’s federal tax return, filed with the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency)
In Quebec, it goes hand in hand with TP1, the tax return filed with Revenu Québec
For everyone: employees, self-employed individuals, and retirees
Used to claim tax credits and deductions (including an RRSP, a retirement savings account that reduces your tax liability)
Deadline: April 30 for most individuals (June 15 for self-employed individuals, but any remaining tax balance is due on April 30)

Why it matters

Think of the T1 as your annual settlement with the government: you add up what you earned, subtract your credits and deductions, and see if you owe money or are due a refund. A missed box could cause you to lose a refund or trigger a notice of assessment (the official response from the tax authorities that corrects your figures). In 2026, the first federal tax rate drops to 14%, and the amount everyone can earn tax-free (the basic personal amount) reaches $16,452. In Quebec, you must file both federal and provincial tax returns. Bankeo connects you, for free, with a vetted accountant or CPA who identifies applicable deductions and fills out your returns error-free, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

The T1 form covers all your personal income: a salary, but also Salary or Dividends that you receive from your company, which in turn generates its own T2 return. If you owe more than $1,800 in taxes in Quebec ($3,000 federally) and your employer does not withhold any taxes, the CRA and Revenu Québec will ask you for tax instalments the following year. The rates, credits, and dates are published by the Canada Revenue Agency. A well-prepared T1 form means more money in your pocket: Bankeo connects you, at no cost, with the accountant who prepares it and supports you every step of the way.

Frequently asked questions

What does this actually mean?

This is the annual form where you tell the government how much you earned and how much tax you owe (or how much you’re owed). In Quebec, you fill out two forms: the T1 for the federal government and the TP1 for the province.

What’s the difference between T1 and TP1?

The T1 is the federal tax return, filed with the Canada Revenue Agency. The TP1 is the Quebec tax return, filed with Revenu Québec. Quebec residents file both forms every year.

Does a self-employed person file a T1?

Yes. You report your business’s income and expenses on your T1 (and TP1 in Quebec) using the designated schedule. Bankeo connects you, for free, with a vetted accountant or CPA to help you file it accurately, at no cost to you, and we’ll be there for you every step of the way.