Application requisites

[amhel26]

Hi

I was hoping someone can help me clarify requisites.

I have been in Canada more than 1,500 days.

I filed taxes fo 2016 and 2017.
I cant understand if I can apply for citizenship now or do I have to wait to file taxes in 2018 so is 3 years.
Can I apply in April the monent I file taxes or I have to wait for notice of assesment?

Hope someone can help me understand. Thank you!!

 

[Quink]

Were you required to file taxes in 2014 or 2015? If not, then that's totally fine as far as a citizenship application goes.

The question is checking if you have filed your taxes for three years if required to do so. So in other words, you can't become a citizen if you have outstanding tax returns still to file. If you were not actually required to file then that's not a prohibition on applying to become a citizen.

 

[amhel26]

No I wasnt required to file taxes on any of those years. Thanks for your reply.
So this means i can apply now? Dont need a 3rd year?
Sorry requisites are confusing

 

[Quink]

Yes, you can apply if you meet the residency requirements (which at 1500 days you clearly do).

Just make sure to list 5 years (current year and previous 4) and tick all the correct boxes - in your case you will have three years where you select "Required to File - NO", and two years where you select YES. Then in the column "Taxes Filed" you just say YES for the years you filed.

What IRCC are looking for is if you have 3 or more years where you were required to file, that you have filed at least 3 of those years. OR if you have less than 3 years where you were required to file, that you did indeed file for all those years.

 

[amhel26]

They should explain it the way you do! Thank you SO much!!

 

[itsmyid]

No I wasnt required to file taxes on any of those years. Thanks for your reply.
So this means i can apply now? Dont need a 3rd year?
Sorry requisites are confusing

How could you not be required to file tax? If you lived in Canada for more than 6 months in a year you are considered a resident for tax purpose and must file tax regardless having any income or not.

 

[amhel26]

I was under tourist visa for 2 years before I got permanent residency. I guess thats why Im only supposed to file 2 years under permanent residency and I wasnt sure if I had to wait for a 3rd year but seems not

 

[itsmyid]

I was under tourist visa for 2 years before I got permanent residency. I guess thats why Im only supposed to file 2 years under permanent residency and I wasnt sure if I had to wait for a 3rd year but seems not

2 years on tourist visa? isn't tourist visa only given up to 6 months for each entry? Anyway, even though the days may count towards your residency requirement, this would probably raise a red flag if your file ends up in a picky IRCC officer... or you could get really lucky and finished your entire processing within 6 month...

 

[ZingyDNA]

2 years on tourist visa? isn't tourist visa only given up to 6 months for each entry? Anyway, even though the days may count towards your residency requirement, this would probably raise a red flag if your file ends up in a picky IRCC officer... or you could get really lucky and finished your entire processing within 6 month...

Visitor visa's stay can be extended.

 

[itsmyid]

Visitor visa's stay can be extended.

I am aware of that, but extending it again and again for 2 years without a reasonably long absence doesn't look that good. Every weekend there's a TV series called 'Border Security' which shows even if you have slightest tendency of overstay when examined by the CBSA agents, they would refuse your entry and turn you away, or put a note on your record and have authority to check on you within the time frame they give

 

[Quink]

If amhel26 is certain that they did not have to file taxes, and is certain that they maintained their legal status as a temporary resident (visitor), and is also certain that they have met the physical presence requirements, then all this "might raise suspicion" stuff doesn't matter.

It's thoughtful to be concerned that they are potentially taking a risk, but it's up to them to decide if they qualify, and if it's a risk they want to take. They asked for advice on tax requirements, not for a lecture on visitor status.

 

[EstherBarros]

If amhel26 is certain that they did not have to file taxes, and is certain that they maintained their legal status as a temporary resident (visitor), and is also certain that they have met the physical presence requirements, then all this "might raise suspicion" stuff doesn't matter.

It's thoughtful to be concerned that they are potentially taking a risk, but it's up to them to decide if they qualify, and if it's a risk they want to take. They asked for advice on tax requirements, not for a lecture on visitor status.

Agreed.

Fact is: if you do not have INCOME in Canada, you don't HAVE to file taxes. PERIOD. You can, and there are benefits to doing so, but it's definitely NOT REQUIRED.

OP should be good to go.

 

[oomuchi]

please read
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/c-6-citizenship-applications-frequently-asked-questions.522548/