Your student return can be subject to a few common pitfalls and errors that can cost you a few hundred dollars. In this article, we have decided to list the most common ones that we hope you don’t make.

ASEQ Insurances

Most Quebec students are enrolled by default in the insurance plans available through their student association. Although this insurance does not replace public insurance (RAMQ), the premium that is paid entitles you to a tax credit if your income exceeds $3,800.

With an income of $5,000 and an amount of $250/session for example, you will get $177 back.

Note: If you are paying for medical insurance other than with ASEQ, the procedure is the same.

Changing province

If you had moved to Quebec from another province after completing your studies, make sure you transfer the deferred fees to your Quebec return. Indeed, although Quebec is the only province where there are 2 tax returns, tuition fees reported to the federal government can be included in whole or in part in Quebec.

This tip also applies to you if you reside in one province but study in a different one (online courses for example).

Note: Tax software will not automatically make these transfers. The transaction must be done manually. So make sure you provide your accountant with :

– T2202 of each year you were a student.

– The tuition deferral history available on your CRA account online.

Studying in a foreign university

If you studied at a foreign university (in person or online) while being a tax resident of Canada, you can claim tax credits for amounts paid to the other university. Just make sure you have the institution’s administration complete Form TL11A.

Up to the year 2016, even if you have not paid anything, the simple fact of having been a full-time student at a foreign university could earn you up to $837/year. As of 2017, you are entitled to credits only if you have paid tuition fees.

Note: If these credits have not been reported for previous years at a foreign university, it is not too late to recover them. It is possible to adjust these declarations.

Failure to verify the correct deferral of fees (specific to Quebec)

If you have filed several tax returns simultaneously, there is a situation with Revenu Québec that causes frequent headaches: the poor deferral of tuition fees. Contrary to the federal government, which automatically updates the amounts carried forward with each tax return processed. Quebec does not update its tax assessment notices. Check your notices of assessment to make sure you don’t potentially lose hundreds of dollars (thousands for international students).

Example:

• You paid $2,100, $2,600 and $2,700 for 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively.

• Rather than dealing with the returns in order, Revenu Québec processed 2020, 2018, 2019. So you see only $2,700 as deferred tuition instead of $7,400 (total of the 3 years).

• Without the proper review on your Notice of Assessment, you will lose $4,700 in deferred amount (or $376 in credit).

Answer to information requests

It is sometimes possible that the tax authorities (mainly the CRA in the case of tuition fees) will mail you a letter asking for proof of fees paid. Failure to respond will result in the denial of these tax credits. To avoid this type of refusal:

• Change your address with the tax authorities to make sure you receive all correspondence.

• Do not ignore these inquiries. If you are an Acomptax customer, we answer requests at no charge for the years produced by the firm. Just let us know.

• Missed the deadline for the application? It is still possible to follow up on your request, but processing can take several weeks. But better late than never.

Do not file your return by yourself

Produce there with your parents/guardian/spouse if:

• You are over 18 years old
• You live with somebody
• Your income are under $11,000

Filing the declaration on your own will result in you losing up to $2,096/year in Quebec tuition fees that can only be transferred. See the article on this matter for more info.