The tax office in Canada is now accepting applications for tax refunds from the 2009 tax year.

The Canadian tax year is the same as the calendar year – from January 1st to December 31st – but the tax office only starts accepting applications on March 1st following the end of the tax year.

Everyone who works in Canada pays between 15% and 29% income tax, depending on your circumstances and earnings.

Common reasons for being owed a Canadian tax refund are:

• You only worked for part of the tax year
• You changed jobs or worked more than one job
• You paid tuition fees

The Canadian tax office allows up the three years to claim tax refunds so if you worked in Canada between 2006 and 2009 you can now apply for your refund.

Average Canadian tax refunds are $750 and processing times at the tax office are usually about 6 months.

To apply for your refund you will need your T4 tax form – which outlines all your earnings and taxes paid in Canada – or your final payslip.

Find out now how much money you might be owed with our free Canadian tax calculator or register now to get your tax back.

If you're working in Canada in 2010, you'll be able to apply to get your refund in March 2011 – so make sure you keep all your documents.