CONFUSED WITH STATUS ON TAXES...PLS ADVISE

[Stumpedmom]

I did mine, after searching high and low and finally asking questions of H an R Block and others....

I was advised that you have to claim married, which I had already changed just after our wedding in July 2010. I left his SIN blank using Turbo Tax, but did put in his US income, because there is a tax treaty we do not get charged for his income. Here is where the interesting part comes into play, the baby bonus, GST and any other credit you may receive SHOULD NOT be affected until they become PRs!! This was clarified to me in December when I was dealing with CRA over the Ontario HST rebate. I had asked in September when I got the confirmation of marital status change, when they were asking for his 2009 income. Until they become a landed PR your credits other than the Ontario HST should not be affected, if it is, make sure you contact CRA and explain that your spouse is a non resident due to the immigrastion process, tell them you are in process and they will reevaluate your amounts....

Hope this helps, but make sure you claim married because it is asking for your marital status as of Dec 31, 2010!!!

 

[Makool]

Interesting information, definitively I'll call CRA to clarify this....thanks a lot for the tip.

 

[quakingaspen]

We're in a slightly different situation. My husband was filling out his taxes yesterday, listed himself as married, and then put that I made $0 last year (I've been "visiting" with him in Canada through the application process). We received our PPR earlier this week, so I should have a SIN number in about 2 weeks. So, I assume we just wait until I get it, enter my shiney new SIN, and then submit?

 

[CandC2009]

You could file without it or wait, because they are talking about the 2010 tax year...then again i`m not too sure on that. I would suggest you call the Canada Revenue Agency Hotline (they are open until about 9pm EST I believe) and they should be able to clarify that for you

 

[jayde]

I did mine, after searching high and low and finally asking questions of H an R Block and others....

I was advised that you have to claim married, which I had already changed just after our wedding in July 2010. I left his SIN blank using Turbo Tax, but did put in his US income, because there is a tax treaty we do not get charged for his income. Here is where the interesting part comes into play, the baby bonus, GST and any other credit you may receive SHOULD NOT be affected until they become PRs!! This was clarified to me in December when I was dealing with CRA over the Ontario HST rebate. I had asked in September when I got the confirmation of marital status change, when they were asking for his 2009 income. Until they become a landed PR your credits other than the Ontario HST should not be affected, if it is, make sure you contact CRA and explain that your spouse is a non resident due to the immigrastion process, tell them you are in process and they will reevaluate your amounts....

Hope this helps, but make sure you claim married because it is asking for your marital status as of Dec 31, 2010!!!

Okay, but I've always claimed my older son as "equivalent to spouse" which has helped my income tax... I am guessing since I claim as married, this is no longer an option and really will still affect the outcome of my taxes. Ahh well... small price to pay I suppose.

 

[Stumpedmom]

Okay, but I've always claimed my older son as "equivalent to spouse" which has helped my income tax... I am guessing since I claim as married, this is no longer an option and really will still affect the outcome of my taxes. Ahh well... small price to pay I suppose.

If you got married in 2010 you get that this one last year....just as if you were marrying a Canadian....thats gonna be the kicker for us parents who have been claiming the equivalent to spouse amount and getting the nice tax returns every year.....but its going to be so much better for us to have our spouses here and be together like families....

 

[HopefulWaiting]

Hi Guys,

Thank you all for your valuable information. I just got off the phone with a CRA agent (I called the hotline). The agent indicated that I should select married and not single. As for my Spouse's SIN number he indicated I put NR (non-resident) or simply leave it blank. He stated that the CRA will send a letter asking for proof of marriage at which time I should write a short letter explaining that my wife is a non-resident and the process to sponsor her is ongoing. Furthermore, he added that a marriage certificate should more than suffice as proof of marriage. This is great considering we all have marriage certificates as it is a required document for sponsorship. Thank you all for your help.

 

[justina]

I'm seeking advice on this too (and will post here what I find out).

My wife needs to file her 2010 return. I was in the UK in 2010 (and therefore don't have to file my return in Canada) and had a small income. If my wife checks "married" on her return and enters in my details, does anyone know if it will screw up her GST credit unless I file a 2010 return and claim against dual-taxation (please excuse the terminology - i'm not accountant and don't want to be)?

I have not been able to claim GST from the year I moved back to Canada from England. I have tried numerous times to get through to the number they sent to declare my "world income" for when was a non-resident. Not sure if it will screw up her GST but I think so. But nonetheless you are married and should file married. CIC might wonder why you are filing single!

I filed taxes as married last year, sponsoring my husband and he has no income. I didn't get GST rebate last year either because we have to send the letter saying we are married etc, just like Ines. I included the information with my taxes last year, but not our marriage certificate.

One day this might all get sorted out!

 

[Material]

I have not been able to claim GST from the year I moved back to Canada from England. I have tried numerous times to get through to the number they sent to declare my "world income" for when was a non-resident. Not sure if it will screw up her GST but I think so. But nonetheless you are married and should file married. CIC might wonder why you are filing single!

I filed taxes as married last year, sponsoring my husband and he has no income. I didn't get GST rebate last year either because we have to send the letter saying we are married etc, just like Ines. I included the information with my taxes last year, but not our marriage certificate.

One day this might all get sorted out!

I agree if your filing taxes after you got married than you should file it as married and NOT single as this might cause confusion plus I dont know about outland apps but in inland apps they sometimes request the tax return notice as proof of relationship and if your married and you filed as single than you would have problems !!

If the spouse your sponsoring does not have a SIN number and you cant go through with filing your taxes through the program your using than I would suggest going to someone who would file it for you I did this it cost me 20 $ ...

 

[missmini]

since the day we live together i filed the taxes as common-law, i put his name, date of birth, did not put his SIN and answered NO at the question if he is Canadian resident....common-law or married i think it's important to declare it right away in the taxes (for the sake of immigration); but the ones married in January 2011 have been single during all 2010 so no need (u will put urself married next year)

PS: have no idea how the online thing works, till now i filed them by hand

 

[BeShoo]

since the day we live together i filed the taxes as common-law, i put his name, date of birth, did not put his SIN and answered NO at the question if he is Canadian resident.

If you are common-law, your common-law status does not take effect for income tax purposes (as for CIC purposes) until you have been living together for one continuous year (exception if there are children), so you can't date it from the day you started living together; you have to date it one year later. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I am sure that I'm right.

Also, you have to file form RC65 change of marital status as soon as possible after your status changes, because it affects GST credits among others.