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How do I file a zero-income tax return?

by TurboTax•7• Updated 2 months ago

Even with no income to report, you can still benefit from filing a zero-income tax return. You may qualify for federal or provincial credits that are available only if you file a return.

First, complete your personal tax profile in the TurboTax interview.

  1. After the Let’s go screen, at the Which of these applied to you in 2024? screen, select a box that applies to you. If there’s no box that applies, select any one. 
  2. After completing the Personal info profile, at the Tax home screen, select Tax profile > Your tax profile and complete the screens.
  3. At the Tax home screen, select Provincial > Provincial Tax Credit profile and complete the provincial profile screens. (At the Your Estimate for the Canada Carbon Rebate screen, you’ll see your estimated rebate amounts.)
  4. At the Tax home screen, select Review > Start.
  5. Continue until you reach the Some items need review screen.
  6. Select Errors, and under You must confirm that you have no income select Fix.
  7. At the zero income drop-down box, select Yes and continue.
  8. At the Some items need review screen, select Done reviewing.
  9. Proceed with the Verification of personal information and continue.
  10. At the Let’s review your numbers screen, you’ll see estimated benefit amounts that will be paid to you outside of the income tax system, such as the Gst/HST credit and the Canada Carbon Rebate. 
  11. At the tax home screen, select Finish and file > Start and proceed to file your return.
  1. From the menu, find the INCOME & EXPENSES heading and select T-slips.
  2. On the Entering your federal T-slips screen, check the box for any slips you received.
  3. Select Continue.
  4. To skip the remaining steps in this section, select Income summary from the menu.
  5. Review the amounts listed, then complete the remaining sections of your return.
  6. From the menu, select Bottom line (tax summaries).
  7. At the Bottom line screen, you’ll see your estimated GST/HST credit, estimated Canada Carbon Rebate, and any other apllicable benefits.