Clarity on Income Tax Filing for Citizenship.

[mycroft]

Hello Seniors,

I recently got PPR for my express entry application and I'm trying to make crucial decisions. I hope to get my citizenship in as short a time as possible. I checked the requirements on this link:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility.html

The income tax filing requirement says: " Regardless of your age, if required under the Income Tax Act, you must meet your personal income tax filing obligations in three tax years that are fully or partially within the five years right before the date you apply."

My plan is to go to school for a graduate degree first before working. I was wondering if this would hinder processing my citizenship after 3 years of landing as I may not be earning actively enough for regular income tax filing. Please advise, thank you.

 

[spyfy]

Hello Seniors,

I recently got PPR for my express entry application and I'm trying to make crucial decisions. I hope to get my citizenship in as short a time as possible. I checked the requirements on this link:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility.html

The income tax filing requirement says: " Regardless of your age, if required under the Income Tax Act, you must meet your personal income tax filing obligations in three tax years that are fully or partially within the five years right before the date you apply."

My plan is to go to school for a graduate degree first before working. I was wondering if this would hinder processing my citizenship after 3 years of landing as I may not be earning actively enough for regular income tax filing. Please advise, thank you.

Not a problem. And also, even if you don't make money, you should file taxes. You will in fact get money back!

 

[spyfy]

Your 2c. Senior.lol

What do you mean?

 

[spyfy]

Keep thinking.

You have a great weekend, too.

 

[mycroft]

Yes, you need to file income tax return. It doesn't matter how much you make or even not making anything. Even tough you never work for a single hour for whole year and file your taxes with 0$ net income, it will still consider complete and perfect income tax filing.

Oh wow! Thank you!

 

[mycroft]

Not a problem. And also, even if you don't make money, you should file taxes. You will in fact get money back!

Oh really?! Cool stuff. Thank you!

 

[thegentleman]

Oh really?! Cool stuff. Thank you!

Did you get Citizenship yet? Just curious.

 

[spyfy]

Did you get Citizenship yet? Just curious.

See above, the OP just received his passport request for Permanent Residency. He/She won't apply for citizenship until 2021.

 

[mycroft]

Did you get Citizenship yet? Just curious.

No. Just got PR. Yet to land in Canada.

 

[pie_vancouver]

Not a problem. And also, even if you don't make money, you should file taxes. You will in fact get money back!

Were you referring to GST/HST credit for zero income tax filers?

 

[spyfy]

Were you referring to GST/HST credit for zero income tax filers?

Yes, but depending on your province there are other benefits. For example the Ontario Trillium Benefit.

Also, you possibly worked at a part time/side job whose salary was below the tax credits. Possibly, if you didn't fill out the tax assessment form at your employer correctly, they deducted tax at the source which will show up on your T4. You don't have to file taxes if you have been over-taxed on your T4. Still you should do it obviously because you get those taxes back.

 

[pie_vancouver]

I was talking about zero income only.
If you worked part time/side job, you earned income, probably won't pay income tax, not required to file BUT if you want to get the refund for overpayment of tax, it is recommended to file.
Zero income people are not required to file, but it is recommended to file zero income, if they want to get GST/HST credit and other benefits.
Even if they are not required to file and did not file, they can still apply for citizenship.