Seriously question about file taxes requirement on citizenship application

[JasonT]

Currently I'm applying Canada citizenship, but Tax section makes me confuse, as IRCC required, all applicants need to file taxes at least 3 years in past 5 years, and the question on the application is "Did you file taxes for this year? ", if No, then the other question will be "Were you required to file taxes for this year?"

My situation is my first landing date was April 30th 2021, also my permanent resident start as same day, I left Canada and back to my country on June 30th 2021, confirmed with CRA, as their explanation, no need file taxes this year, because stay less than 183 days and other reasons, I was back to Canada on Feb. 21st 2022 until now, I filed taxes for both 2022 and 2023, 2024 was a complicated year, I had old job at the first 4 months then been lay off, after I started Uber as self-employed, so I need to file individual taxes and business taxes for 2024.

On my application listed 2020 - 2024, my answer is
2024 No | Yes (because not start yet)
2023 Yes
2022 Yes
2021 No | No
2020 No | No

My questions are:

1. Does 2021 count as 1 of those 3 years?
2. If I file individual taxes first and get NOA, can I answer Yes on 2024? Or I have to file both individual and business?

 

[MJSPARV]

My read of the tax requirement is that you HAVE to have filed taxes for three of the last five years. The “were you required” question is so they know if you didn’t file because you were not required to or because you chose not to. For instance in my 5 year eligibility period I was NOT required to file taxes for 2020 but was for 2021,2022, 2023, and 2024. I have filed for 2021, 2022, and 2023 so was able to submit although I haven’t yet for 2024. (Waiting on a T4.)

You should just go ahead and figure out your 2024 taxes and get them filed before you submit your application. Even if it delays you submitting it a bit that’s still faster than submitting it and then having it returned or rejected because you didn’t file your taxes.

 

[JasonT]

My read of the tax requirement is that you HAVE to have filed taxes for three of the last five years. The “were you required” question is so they know if you didn’t file because you were not required to or because you chose not to. For instance in my 5 year eligibility period I was NOT required to file taxes for 2020 but was for 2021,2022, 2023, and 2024. I have filed for 2021, 2022, and 2023 so was able to submit although I haven’t yet for 2024. (Waiting on a T4.)

You should just go ahead and figure out your 2024 taxes and get them filed before you submit your application. Even if it delays you submitting it a bit that’s still faster than submitting it and then having it returned or rejected because you didn’t file your taxes.

Actually I have same situation as yours, I haven’t received my T4 yet, so just in case, I decided to file my 2021 taxes, even it’s not necessary, I don’t need to pay tax and I don’t want any benefits from 2021, just for 3 years file tax requirement.