GST/HST notice - must pay $500 after marital status change

[Eisuk]

Hi guys,

Can someone please help me to understand my situation?

I just received a GST/HSTC notice stating I need to repay $500.
I have never even received any government payment / credit regarding GST/HST.
Notice states they cannot calculate if I'm STILL eligible (even tho I have never received any payment so how "still"?) to receive a credit for all periods because they do not know my spouse's 2018 income.
Thing as follows: we got married in Feb 2019, my spouse had never had any income neither in Canada, or in her home country as she was a full time student before she migrated to Canada. She even did not hold a work permit in Canada until March 2019.
My personal income never exceeded $40.000 / a year so I fall into "low income".
As I mentioned, my spouse had never received any income in her life, she started her first ever job, in Canada, in April 2019.

Can someone please help us understanding where such a high amount due comes from?

Once again, I never received any payment, any cheque from the government so how come I need to repay?

Many thanks

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi guys,

Can someone please help me to understand my situation?

I just received a GST/HSTC notice stating I need to repay $500.
I have never even received any government payment / credit regarding GST/HST.
Notice states they cannot calculate if I'm STILL eligible (even tho I have never received any payment so how "still"?) to receive a credit for all periods because they do not know my spouse's 2018 income.
Thing as follows: we got married in Feb 2019, my spouse had never had any income neither in Canada, or in her home country as she was a full time student before she migrated to Canada. She even did not hold a work permit in Canada until March 2019.
My personal income never exceeded $40.000 / a year so I fall into "low income".
As I mentioned, my spouse had never received any income in her life, she started her first ever job, in Canada, in April 2019.

Can someone please help us understanding where such a high amount due comes from?

Once again, I never received any payment, any cheque from the government so how come I need to repay?

Many thanks

GST/HST credit is automatically calculated when filing taxes; you likely received the credit. Call CRA.

 

[Eisuk]

GST/HST credit is automatically calculated when filing taxes; you likely received the credit. Call CRA.

Might have to call, yeah.
But any idea why suddenly I need to repay so much? My earnings haven't changed.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Might have to call, yeah.
But any idea why suddenly I need to repay so much? My earnings haven't changed.

The credit is based on family income. They need your spouse's income to calculate how much you were entitled to receive. Until they have that, they are saying you have to pay back what you got.

 

[Eisuk]

Ok, I sent an explanation yesterday saying she never had an income and started her first job in Canada in April 2019. Will see how ot turns out.
Until I receive the decision, should I delay the due payment or should I pay it and hoping for refund?

 

[scylla]

Ok, I sent an explanation yesterday saying she never had an income and started her first job in Canada in April 2019. Will see how ot turns out.
Until I receive the decision, should I delay the due payment or should I pay it and hoping for refund?

Always best to pay to avoid being hit by penalties even if you don't think you owe anything.

 

[Eisuk]

That's true, especially if their decision might take up to 3 months.
In case they recalculate it again to see there really was no additional income coming from my spouse's side, would they grant a refund? How does it work in reality?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

That's true, especially if their decision might take up to 3 months.
In case they recalculate it again to see there really was no additional income coming from my spouse's side, would they grant a refund? How does it work in reality?

If they determine you were entitled to the benefit, then you will receive it.

 

[canuck78]

Did she receive any form of tax credits or payments as a low income earner/student in her home country?

 

[Eisuk]

She was getting health benefits

 

[Copingwithlife]

Hi guys,

Can someone please help me to understand my situation?

I just received a GST/HSTC notice stating I need to repay $500.
I have never even received any government payment / credit regarding GST/HST.
Notice states they cannot calculate if I'm STILL eligible (even tho I have never received any payment so how "still"?) to receive a credit for all periods because they do not know my spouse's 2018 income.
Thing as follows: we got married in Feb 2019, my spouse had never had any income neither in Canada, or in her home country as she was a full time student before she migrated to Canada. She even did not hold a work permit in Canada until March 2019.
My personal income never exceeded $40.000 / a year so I fall into "low income".
As I mentioned, my spouse had never received any income in her life, she started her first ever job, in Canada, in April 2019.

Can someone please help us understanding where such a high amount due comes from?

Once again, I never received any payment, any cheque from the government so how come I need to repay?

Many thanks

File a Notice if Objection . This will automatically stop the collection process until you file a reassessment


https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/about-canada-revenue-agency-cra/when-you-money-collections-cra/collections-limitation-period.html


For tax debts subject to collection restrictions, the CRA cannot start collection action:

during the time that you dispute your debt by filing a notice of objection or appeal

 

[canuck_in_uk]

File a Notice if Objection . This will automatically stop the collection process until you file a reassessment


https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/about-canada-revenue-agency-cra/when-you-money-collections-cra/collections-limitation-period.html


For tax debts subject to collection restrictions, the CRA cannot start collection action:

during the time that you dispute your debt by filing a notice of objection or appeal

However, interest still accrues during that time on amounts that end up actually being owed.

 

[SNSNSN]

Ok, I sent an explanation yesterday saying she never had an income and started her first job in Canada in April 2019. Will see how ot turns out.
Until I receive the decision, should I delay the due payment or should I pay it and hoping for refund?

Hello,
I also received the same notice. Could you please let me know how did you sent your explanation, whether via call or mail? Also, did they cancel the due?

 

[canuck78]

Hello,
I also received the same notice. Could you please let me know how did you sent your explanation, whether via call or mail? Also, did they cancel the due?

Where you married and hadn't declared it? They were correctly asked to pay back the money. Working has nothing to do with it.