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Do I have to claim bank interest on a checking/savings account?
Do I have to claim bank interest on a checking/savings account?

Yes, bank interest earned on checking or savings accounts is taxable in Canada and must be reported to the CRA, regardless of the amount.

Samuel Jones avatar
Written by Samuel Jones
Updated over a month ago

Why Do I Need to Claim Bank Interest?

  • CRA Compliance: Ensures your return is accurate and adheres to CRA regulations

  • Avoid Penalties: Failure to report income, even small amounts, can result in penalties and interest charges

When Do I Need to Claim Bank Interest?

  • If you earned any interest during the tax year, whether it’s from a checking, savings, or other deposit account, it must be declared

  • Even small amounts of interest income (e.g., $1 or $2) must be reported

Best Practices

  • Keep all account statements and records of interest earned for at least six years

  • Review your T5 slip for accuracy and match it with your own records

How to Report Bank Interest

  • T5 Slip: Your financial institution will issue a T5 – Statement of Investment Income if the total interest earned exceeds $50 CAD

  • No T5 Slip: If the interest earned is less than $50 and no T5 is issued, you are still required to report the amount on your tax return

Where to Report Bank Interest Without a T5 Slip on Your Tax Return

  • Use the Other Investment Income form in CloudTax to declare your interest income

Why This Matters

Reporting bank interest is a small but essential part of filing your taxes accurately.

CloudTax makes it easy to include your interest income, whether or not you receive a T5 slip, ensuring compliance and peace of mind.

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