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What to Do with Your Tax Refund: 5 Smart Moves for Canadians

  Tax Season · Personal Finance By MoneySavings.ca Editorial Team • May 7, 2026 • 7 min read Tax season is wrapping up across Canada, and for millions of Canadians, that means a refund cheque — or a direct deposit — is on its way. The average Canadian tax refund hovers around $1,800. That's real money. The question is: what's the smartest thing you can do with it? It's tempting to treat a tax refund like "found money" and splurge. But here's the truth — that refund was your money all along. The government was just holding it for you, interest-free. So before it quietly disappears into day-to-day spending, let's look at five moves that will make it work harder for you. $1,800 The average Canadian tax refund — enough to make a meaningful dent in debt, pad an emergency fund, or kick-start your TFSA for the year. 1 Pay Down High-Interest Debt First If you're carrying a balance on a credit card, this should be your very first call. Most Canadian credit car...

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Ontario Begins Issuing $200 Taxpayer Rebates

The Ontario government has started mailing out $200 rebate cheques to eligible taxpayers. This initiative aims to provide relief from the high cost of living, including the federal carbon tax and high interest rates. 

Finance Miister Peter Bethlenfalvy stated, "With Ontario families struggling due to the federal carbon tax, high interest rates, and global economic uncertainty, our government is stepping up as part of our ongoing work to keep costs down and help families make ends meet."

To qualify for the rebate, residents must have been 18 years or older and a resident in Ontario on December 31, 2023, not be bankrupt or incarcerated in 2024, and have filed a 2023 Income Tax and Benefits Return by December 31, 2024. Families receiving the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) will also get an additional $200 for each eligible child under 18.

The cheques are expected to reach families over the coming weeks, providing much-needed financial support during these challenging times.



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