filing tax as a visitor

[denbert]

Hi.

I have been in Canada for almost a year now as a visitor.

Do I need to file a tax return in Canada even if I don't have a job and never had since coming here?

If I have to, where do I get my social number to fill up on the form?

Thanks!

 

[little_apple]

Hi.

I have been in Canada for almost a year now as a visitor.

Do I need to file a tax return in Canada even if I don't have a job and never had since coming here?

If I have to, where do I get my social number to fill up on the form?

Thanks!

You only get a SIN number as a PR, citizen, worker... not as a tourist.
You don't have to file taxes because you don't have an income

 

[little_apple]

A non-resident visitor qualifies for a tax refund if the following conditions are met:

you are not a resident of Canada;
you purchased eligible goods, short term accommodation or both;
you paid GST/HST on these purchases;
you have original receipts;
the total of your purchase amounts (before taxes) for eligible goods and accommodation must be at least CAN$200;
each individual receipt for eligible goods shows a minimum total purchase amount (before taxes) of CAN$50;
the goods are removed from Canada within 60 days of the date they were purchased.

 

[Rob_TO]

A non-resident visitor qualifies for a tax refund if the following conditions are met:

you are not a resident of Canada;
you purchased eligible goods, short term accommodation or both;
you paid GST/HST on these purchases;
you have original receipts;
the total of your purchase amounts (before taxes) for eligible goods and accommodation must be at least CAN$200;
each individual receipt for eligible goods shows a minimum total purchase amount (before taxes) of CAN$50;
the goods are removed from Canada within 60 days of the date they were purchased.

I don't think that rebate program is offered anymore, and it's replaced by a very specific set of conditions to get rebates on eligible purchases only (of which most people won't qualify for as it only involves conventions or tour packages): http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/visitors/

A visitor CAN be determined a DEEMED RESIDENT of Canada if they are present in Canada for most of the year, and/or have a spouse in Canada.
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/ndvdls/dmd-eng.html
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/cmmn/rsdncy-eng.html

Of course if no income was earned, a tax return is really not required. But if you are doing one with no SIN, then you would need to register for an Individual Tax Number: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/t1261/README.html

 

[zainy]

Hi all,

On the same subject, what if I have an income (I work remotely for a U.S company) but I am still a visitor in Canada? Do I have to pay taxes?

 

[Rob_TO]

Hi all,

On the same subject, what if I have an income (I work remotely for a U.S company) but I am still a visitor in Canada? Do I have to pay taxes?

If you have a spouse in Canada or are otherwise a deemed resident, then there may be Canadian tax implications. Best to talk to an accountant or others who have been in this specific situation. I'm only going by what i've read on the CRA site, I don't have any practical experience when it comes to this.

 

[zainy]

Thanks Rob_TO! I will look into talking to an accountant.

 

[mdeep83]

Hello @zainy and @denbert,

Did you get any more information on this from your accountants?

I am kind of in the same situation. My wife has been in Canada since June 2015 as a Visitor and does not have an SIN.
Applying for ITN# seems like a hassle with original, certified, or notarized copies of supporting to be mailed to Ottawa.

Any insight into this will greatly help.

Thank you.

 

[floomy]

not sure if it would help.

I filed my tax with my husband (together) when I hold visitor visa.
we have a child together and according to an agent from CRA, child tax benefit is calculated by mother's income.
so I filed my tax with zero income (accountant also recommend to do ).

hope it helps