Ottawa, Ontario, June 29, 2012… The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced today that the average refund for the 2011 tax-filing season is more than $1,580—an increase of about $70 per person since last year.

Many Canadians are receiving their refunds in as little as seven days by switching to electronic filing. Among the 25.4 million returns received as of June 14, 16.8 million were filed using electronic services, which is up from 16.1 million at the same time last year. Paper filing continues to decrease in popularity. So far this year, 8.6 million paper returns have been filed compared to the 8.8 million that were filed last year. The CRA’s electronic services are the quickest way for Canadians to file, and these services are easy and secure to use. Those who sign up for direct deposit through the CRA’s online services are able to receive their refunds even faster.

Tax filers are discovering the benefits of using the CRA’s electronic services year-round and not just during tax-filing season. Using electronic services, such as My Account and Quick Access, allows you to track your refund, view your benefit and credit payments and your registered retirement savings plan information, set up direct deposit, and much more. For more information on electronic services, go to www.cra.gc.ca/electronicservices.

This year, new tax credits such as the volunteer firefighters’ tax credit and the children’s arts tax credit helped Canadians reduce their taxes. Volunteer firefighters were able to claim up to $3,000 on their tax return and parents were able to claim up to $500 for enrolling their children in prescribed programs. Other credits such as the public transit tax credit and pension income splitting continue to help Canadians keep more money in their pockets.

The CRA takes this opportunity to thank Canadians who filed their income tax and benefit return on time. If you missed the April 30 filing deadline, it is in your best interest to file as soon as possible to receive benefit payments such as the GST/HST credit or the Canada child tax benefit and to avoid paying more penalties and interest charges.

You could get up to $265 for 2011 for each adult and child in your family to help with the sales tax you pay on goods and services. This amount is adjusted for inflation each year.

If you pay rent or property tax, you could get up to $917 for 2011 to help with the sales tax you pay on energy and the property taxes you paid and qualifying seniors can get up to $1,044 for 2011.

Families living in Northern Ontario can get up to $204 for 2011 to help with their home energy costs, as it is often higher in the North due to more severe winters. If you are single, you can get up to $132.

You must be eligible to at least one of the benefits (OSTC, OEPT or NOEC) to eligible to receive OTB.

You must complete Ontario Form ON-BEN which is part of the 2011 T1 General Income Tax and Benefit Return package and file it with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).  If file your individual tax returns later than April 30th may result in delay in receiving OTB payments.

Public transit amount

You can claim cost of monthly public transit passes or passes of longer duration such as an annual pass for travel within Canada on public transit for 2011.

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