Banking

One of the first steps to managing your money effectively is to open a bank account.

Some major banks offer special services designed to meet the needs of recently arrived Canadians.

Banks, trust companies and credit unions will provide you with free information about their services and answer your questions. All you need to do is visit any bank in your area and ask about their services. No appointment is necessary. There are 5 major banks in Canada

• Bank of Montreal
• CIBC
• Royal Bank of Canada
• Scotiabank
• TD Canada Trust

You may want to rent a safety deposit locker to store such valuables as jewellery and important documents. Most banks offer this service for a fee.

Opening a Personal Bank Account

To open an account, you may be asked to provide identification and information about your residence, employment and credit history; however, you do not have to be employed to open a bank account, and no minimum deposit is necessary.

• The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has information on how to open a personal bank account, including a list of identification you will need to open an account
• The FCAC also provides information about Canadian financial products and services and your rights and responsibilities as a financial consumer
• General information on banking services, including links to the major financial institutions, can be found at the Canadian Bankers Association

Other Resources

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada - has information on the things you need to know in your first few weeks of coming to Canada including managing your money and finances

Fraud protection

Common forms of fraud include mail and telemarketing schemes, door-to-door solicitation, personal fraud or identity theft. Many frauds involve theft of your personal information and may result in big losses or damage to your credit rating without you being aware of it.

Newcomers are especially vulnerable. Fraud criminals may operate within a specific ethnic group, preying on newcomers.

A general rule is that if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam. Peel Regional Police and Immigration, Refugee Citizenship Canada has excellent information on fraud and scam prevention. 

How do I report scams and frauds?

If you or someone you know may be a target of a telephone, internet, email or other type of scam and gave personal or financial information by mistake, you should contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre toll-free at 1-888-495-8501.

Other Resources

Canada Revenue Agency - provides information on how to recognize a scam, the different types of scams and frauds, how to protect yourself, and how to report a scam.

How to avoid or recover from identity theft - provides information on what to do if you are a victim of identity theft and the steps you can take to keep your personal and financial information safe.

Immigration Fraud - provides information on what to be aware of when hiring an immigration representative to apply for a visa or a Canadian citizenship.

Settlement.org - provides information for newcomers on consumer protection.

Ministry of Consumer and Government Services - can help you understand Ontario's consumer protection legislation and direct you to the right information.

Personal credit

In Canada you may be asked to prove that you have a good credit history when renting, getting a job or buying a car. Credit history describes how you use money:

• How many credit cards do you have?
• How many loans do you have?
• Do you pay your bills on time?

Your credit history from your home country does not come with you and you will have to start building a new credit rating in Canada. One of the easiest ways to do this is with a Canadian credit card. The bank where you choose to open a bank account can generally help you also get the right credit card.

In Canada, two large agencies – Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada – look at your financial history to give you a credit-rating number, also called a credit score. The higher your score, the better it is. Credit or consumer reporting has information on how to check your credit report, and on how to build and maintain your credit.

Saving

In many cases it will take new immigrants some time to get a job and to be financially secured. To help, we recommend you follow good saving tips.

• Always compare prices before you make your purchase
• You can price match on food items in most of the larger supermarkets
• Save money on clothing and other items by shopping at second-hand stores
• You can also save on transportation by walking, riding a bicycle or using public transit (if you need a car, be sure to look at buying a used car instead of a new one which is more costly)
• Shop around before renting and use a reputable real estate agent when buying a house and remember that low cost housing is available
• The Region of Peel has many settlement agencies that can help you find low-cost goods and free services

Beware of these High-Cost Financial Services

• Pawn shops
• Rent-to-own programs
• Cheque-cashing outlets
• Rapid-refund tax services

Bank Savings Options

• Tax-free savings account (TFSA) - this is a savings account that allows you to save without taxing your interest.
• Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) - this savings fund will allow you to pay less tax while you save for your retirement.
• Registered education savings plan (RESP) - this a special savings account for parents who want to save for their child's post-secondary education.
• Canada Learning Bond - the Canada Learning Bond is a government grant of up to $2,000. This Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is for your child's post- secondary education.  For more information, call the Enrolled by Six Information Line at 905-890-9432

Taxes

In Canada, it is very important that you file an income tax return every year. The deadline to submit your return is April 30^th of each year.

You have to file your tax return every year to qualify for tax credit programs, get refunds or credits for the taxes you pay and ensure you have paid all applicable taxes to the government. Tax Clinic Toolkit for Residents contains information and resources to answer frequently asked questions regarding tax filling.

If you are filing your taxes for the first time in Canada, it is important to learn about how to file your first income tax return as a newcomer to Canada - filing taxes for your first year in Canada and the Canadian income tax. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides information on:

• Federal and provincial tax rates
• Child and family benefits
• Factsheet on newcomers' credits and benefits in multiple languages

• Questions and answers about filing tax

• Tax tips for filing income tax and benefit return

According to CRA, after your first tax year in Canada, you are no longer considered a newcomer for tax purposes.

Many low-income persons may quickly increase their income if they have the tools and strategies to claim and get all the government benefits to which they are entitled.

• The Peel Poverty Reduction Committee (PPRC)'s financial literacy infographic provides information on available benefits, credits, and programs everyone may be eligible for.
• Prosper Canada’s new Benefits Wayfinder is a very useful tool for determining which benefits a person may be qualified for.

Free Tax Clinics

If you need help filing your income tax but cannot afford to hire an accountant there are resources to help you.

The Free Income Tax Clinics can help you complete your tax return for free if your tax return is not too complicated. For more information, please contact the CRA general inquiries helpline at 1-800-959-8281 or visit the free tax clinic to find free tax clinics in your area.