Canada Determining Status - Tax Purposes

[TorontoEH]

HI,

I wonder if someone can help. My partner i.e. Sponsor is able to receive a tax break based on supporting me in Canada. I will have to complete a form to determine my status for tax purposes. I am currently in Canada on a TRV (Visitor). Has anyone gone through this or does anyone know what the best option is?

Thank you.

 

[Rob_TO]

HI,

I wonder if someone can help. My partner i.e. Sponsor is able to receive a tax break based on supporting me in Canada. I will have to complete a form to determine my status for tax purposes. I am currently in Canada on a TRV (Visitor). Has anyone gone through this or does anyone know what the best option is?

Thank you.

On the date you became married or officially common-law, your partner should have changed their status with CRA from single to married/common-law, effective the month it happened.

For taxes there really isn't anything you need to do. It's your Canadian sponsor that will file taxes through the CRA with you listed as spouse, and will claim you as spousal dependent depending on your income. If your income was $0 in 2013, then he can claim the maximum spousal tax credit. CRA may ask for your "world" income earned in 2013, so if it was $0 you can just state that.

You yourself don't need to file income taxes unless you really want to.

 

[screech339]

On the date you became married or officially common-law, your partner should have changed their status with CRA from single to married/common-law, effective the month it happened.

For taxes there really isn't anything you need to do. It's your Canadian sponsor that will file taxes through the CRA with you listed as spouse, and will claim you as spousal dependent depending on your income. If your income was $0 in 2013, then he can claim the maximum spousal tax credit. CRA may ask for your "world" income earned in 2013, so if it was $0 you can just state that.

You yourself don't need to file income taxes unless you really want to.

As RobTO mentioned, you don't need to file income taxes. Besides, CRA won't do anything with your income tax without a SIN assigned. They will simply toss it in the garbage or shredder.

Once you get your SIN temporary or permanent, then you can file your taxes even if you made 0 income. You may be able to get benefits such as GST rebate depending on family income. If you have children, you would need to file it in order to get child benefits.

Screech339

 

[Udae]

Hi there,

I'm trying to get reach screech339. I'm interested in knowing more about the spreadsheet you've compiled regarding inland applicants. Would you please email me as soon as you see this message? My email address is Enza.Uda@cbc.ca

I'm working on a story for CBC about processing times for inland spousal applications and I'd like to know how you got the data you've posted.

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks in advance.

Enza

 

[lellen]

People in the forum write their own timelines, then someone compiles them all in a timesheet. It's how we track everyone's process so we know what to expect.

 

[Udae]

Thanks for your quick reply lellen.
Is anyone on this forum waiting for approval in principal, or the first stage of the process to be completed in order to get medical coverage in their province?
Please contact me at Enza.Uda@cbc.ca as soon as possible. We're working on a story for CBC.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Again screech339 please email me...

Much appreciated,
Enza

 

[TorontoEH]

Thanks both. I didn't have the intention to file income tax. I am visiting in Canada at the moment and my spouse is able to file for me as a dependent. There is however a form which i mentioned, the form essentially confirms that i am a resident for tax purposes. We believe that this is required for my spouse to make use of the tax break.

One other question, as mentioned, i am currently visiting in Canada with an outland application in process. Can i update CIC with a Canadian address or should i change it to South Africa where i am a citizen? The address i used when we submitted the application was based on me working in a different country, not SA or Canada. I have since left that country and now visiting in Canada.

Thanks,

 

[screech339]

Thanks both. I didn't have the intention to file income tax. I am visiting in Canada at the moment and my spouse is able to file for me as a dependent. There is however a form which i mentioned, the form essentially confirms that i am a resident for tax purposes. We believe that this is required for my spouse to make use of the tax break.

One other question, as mentioned, i am currently visiting in Canada with an outland application in process. Can i update CIC with a Canadian address or should i change it to South Africa where i am a citizen? The address i used when we submitted the application was based on me working in a different country, not SA or Canada. I have since left that country and now visiting in Canada.

Thanks,

You can use your Canadian address for your application so that any letters sent will be sent to your correct address.

 

[TorontoEH]

Thanks, do you perhaps know if the letters are sent regular mail or registered mail?

 

[screech339]

Thanks, do you perhaps know if the letters are sent regular mail or registered mail?

Regular mail. Never had anyone posted getting a registered mail.

Screech339