Filing tax returns after becoming a Permanent Resident

[rhetorisch]

Once you become a PR, do you need to file a tax return even if you have no income? It may sound foolish that one doesnt have any income at all. However in the case of most newcomers it would be a few months or even many months before they get a job. In other cases (like myself), there may be a huge span of time before the PR actually starts living and working in Canada. I became a PR in October 2010. I plan to start living there may be a year later. Until that time I have no income whatsoever so I obviously pay no taxes. Do I still need to go through the ritual of filing a return stating ZERO income?

 

[steaky]

You may want to file a tax return even if you have no income but would like to get benefits such as UCCB. See the website for details.

 

[Leon]

You don't have to file taxes if you were not living in Canada so say you did not live in Canada for any part of 2010 or 2011, you do not have to file taxes for those years. If you arrive in late 2011, you can file a zero tax return to ask for your HST/GST credit. They will give you a little money if you do that.

 

[olags]

Does it means if I arrived early 2012 my income outside canada will be subject to tax also or only my income inside Canada in 2012 will be subject to tax?

 

[FARPADANA]

Does it means if I arrived early 2012 my income outside canada will be subject to tax also or only my income inside Canada in 2012 will be subject to tax?

I have the same question. I landed sep 2011. I filled tax return and child benefit after landing and receiving the monthly small amount of money.but I left Canada after 1 month. I plan to go back to Canada for good early 2013!. for the current year do I need to fill up the forms?

 

[Leon]

I have the same question. I landed sep 2011. I filled tax return and child benefit after landing and receiving the monthly small amount of money.but I left Canada after 1 month. I plan to go back to Canada for good early 2013!. for the current year do I need to fill up the forms?

A requirement to getting child tax benefit is that you are living in Canada. You are not so you are not entitled to it. If you have been getting it in error, you should notify CRA that you are not living in Canada and offer to pay it back.

By filing taxes right after you arrived, you made yourself a tax resident of Canada. You could ask CRA to not consider you a tax resident of Canada as you are not living in Canada right now. Then you would not have to file. Otherwise, they will expect you to file.

 

[cooldoc80]

dear leon the mightly ;D

could you please help me with this question .

After i become a permenant resident i plan to leave me wife at canada( 6 months a year) and I come visit (3 months a year )


I plan on repeating this scenario for ( four years ) !

my question is , do i have to pay taxis while i'm working outside of canada or not ?


thanks alot for your answer

 

[torontosm]

dear leon the mightly ;D
could you please help me with this question .
After i become a permenant resident i plan to leave me wife at canada( 6 months a year) and I come visit (3 months a year )
I plan on repeating this scenario for ( four years ) !
my question is , do i have to pay taxis while i'm working outside of canada or not ?
thanks alot for your answer

If your wife is living in Canada, you will most likely be considered a resident for tax purposes and will have to pay tax on your global income.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/cmmn/rsdncy-eng.html

 

[cooldoc80]

EVEN IF MY WIFE LIVES ONLY 6 MONTHS A YEAR ? WOULD THAT CONSIDER ME TO BE A RESIDENT AND PAY TAXES?

 

[torontosm]

EVEN IF MY WIFE LIVES ONLY 6 MONTHS A YEAR ? WOULD THAT CONSIDER ME TO BE A RESIDENT AND PAY TAXES?

You can check with the CRA, but I'm pretty sure that it would.

 

[jazibkg]

dear leon the mightly ;D

could you please help me with this question .

After i become a permenant resident i plan to leave me wife at canada( 6 months a year) and I come visit (3 months a year )


I plan on repeating this scenario for ( four years ) !

my question is , do i have to pay taxis while i'm working outside of canada or not ?


thanks alot for your answer

You do realize you'll lose your residency this way too?

 

[cooldoc80]

You can check with the CRA, but I'm pretty sure that it would.

THANKS DEAR

SO, LETS ASSUME I HAVE TO PAY TAXES HOW WILL THEY CHECK MY SALARY AND HOW WILL THEY CALCULATE HOW MUCH I SHOULD PAY ?

ALSO ANOTHER QUESTION PLEASE , IF I HAVE PROPERTIES WHICH I INTEND TO SELL LATER AFTER GETTING PERMENANT RESIDENCY , WILL I HAVE TO PAY TAX CUT ON THEM TOO , OR THINGS I HAVE BEFORE PR DOSENT COUNT ?

THANKS

 

[cooldoc80]

You do realize you'll lose your residency this way too?

THANKS FOR THE REMINDER JAZ , ACTUALLY I INTEND TO STAY 3 MONTHS A YEAR FOR ( 4 YEARS ) AFTER THAT I WILL STAY PERMENANTELY IN CANADA SO HOPFULLY I WONT LOSE MY PR

 

[torontosm]

THANKS DEAR

SO, LETS ASSUME I HAVE TO PAY TAXES HOW WILL THEY CHECK MY SALARY AND HOW WILL THEY CALCULATE HOW MUCH I SHOULD PAY ?

ALSO ANOTHER QUESTION PLEASE , IF I HAVE PROPERTIES WHICH I INTEND TO SELL LATER AFTER GETTING PERMENANT RESIDENCY , WILL I HAVE TO PAY TAX CUT ON THEM TOO , OR THINGS I HAVE BEFORE PR DOSENT COUNT ?

THANKS

I'm not sure how they will check your salary, but I would caution you against lying to the CRA or misrepresenting your income in any way. They can come after you with severe fines and penalties, and can even pursue criminal charges if they want.

As for your properties, you will be responsible for the capital gains you realize when you sell them, or income tax on any rental income you receive from them. For now, you just have to disclose that you own them (assuming they are worth more than $100,000).

 

[kunde052]

Few scenario questions:

1. On PR and I have no income - Should I still file tax returns? ( Assuming I do not need the benefits mentioned here)?
2. On PR and I have no income and only lived 2 weeks in one whole year in Canada - Should I still file the tax returns?? (Assuming I do not need the benefits mentioned here)