An Individual Tax Number (ITN) is a unique number that Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) uses to identify you for tax purposes if you aren't eligible for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) (e.g. because you don’t have a study permit allowing you to work).
What is an ITN?
Do I need an ITN?
If you are an international student who is not eligible for a SIN, you need to get an ITN if:
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You received a scholarship or award from UBC. Enrolment Services requires all scholarship and award recipients to enter either a SIN or an ITN into the Student Service Centre (SSC) by January so UBC can prepare T4A tax forms.
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OR, you want to file a Canadian tax return.
How to apply for an ITN
Follow the step-by-step instructions on our tutorial page.
It can take at least a couple of months to process your application, so make sure to apply early.
An ITN can take up to 8 weeks to process. If you receive an award or are planning to file Canadian taxes, you should apply as soon as you arrive in Canada.
Contact us
International Student Advising
Talk to an advisor
International Student Advisors are Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) who can help.
When emailing us, include the following information in the email:
- Your student number in the subject line
- Your name
- Your citizenship(s)
- All permit and visa expiration dates (if applicable)
- Currently in Canada (YES or NO)
- If you request specific assistance, please provide detailed information including applicable documents, such as a rejection letter