Back to school : What students and parents need to know.

If you're heading off to university this fall — or you have a child who is — you may be surprised to discover the tax credits and deductions available. Here are a few tips every tax-smart student should know.

• File a tax return, even if you didn't earn enough to pay income tax. That will guarantee you receive the $350 GST rebate. It will also guarantee that you get a refund of any taxes you may have paid through payroll deductions with your employer.
• You can claim $400 a month for each month you attended college or university full time ($265 a month for part-time students). You can also receive a tax credit of $65 a month for textbooks ($20 a month for part-time students).
• You can claim any tuition fees over $100 as a tax credit. Eligible fees include any mandatory amounts charged by the school.
• Here's how to keep mom and dad happy: you can transfer any unused federal credits, up to $5,000 a year, to a parent. Just keep in mind that the transferred credits must be claimed in the year they are incurred.
• You can write off moving expenses if you moved more than 40 km for a summer job.