Filing taxes requirements for citizenship

[andrew999929]

hello folks,

I have a question for a friend. He landed in Canada in August 2018. He did not work at all in 2018. Should he file taxes for 2018? Will the 5 Months of 2018 he spent in Canada be counted for his citizenship application later on or not? I heard it won’t be counted if you don’t file taxes for that year... is it true? And can he file for taxes for 2018 even if he didn’t work in 2018? Thank you

 

[zardoz]

hello folks,

I have a question for a friend. He landed in Canada in August 2018. He did not work at all in 2018. Should he file taxes for 2018? Will the 5 Months of 2018 he spent in Canada be counted for his citizenship application later on or not? I heard it won’t be counted if you don’t file taxes for that year... is it true? And can he file for taxes for 2018 even if he didn’t work in 2018? Thank you

It would be sensible to file, if only for the record.

 

[mad_hatter]

Even though your friend did not work in 2018, however, all income, such as stock trading,interest, dividend, rental income, is taxable.

 

[torontosm]

Even though your friend did not work in 2018, however, all income, such as stock trading,interest, dividend, rental income, is taxable.

Also, any overseas income would need to be declared and could be subject to tax.

 

[andrew999929]

He has no foreign income. Should he file for tax?? And will it be counted for the citizenship duration requirement If he didn’t file?

 

[BC4life]

hello folks,

I have a question for a friend. He landed in Canada in August 2018. He did not work at all in 2018. Should he file taxes for 2018? Will the 5 Months of 2018 he spent in Canada be counted for his citizenship application later on or not? I heard it won’t be counted if you don’t file taxes for that year... is it true? And can he file for taxes for 2018 even if he didn’t work in 2018? Thank you

Did he settle ie rent an apartment, open bank accounts, went to school etc.? If he settled here then he is probably part-year resident for 2018, and liable for tax on his worldwide income from the day he became resident, even if he made 0 in Canada. He definitely should file his taxes.

 

[andrew999929]

Guys he has no world wide income. My question is really simple here. Should he file for taxes for 2018 so it could be taken into consideration when applying for citizenship later in or it won’t affect.

 

[mad_hatter]

Did he not bring any money to Canada when he settles in Canada? Interest from bank deposit is income. If he truly has no income, filing a tax return would not do him any harm. He may even get a GST rebate.

 

[andrew999929]

If he didn’t file for 2018, will he be able to count the days he spent in 2018 for his citizenship application?

 

[zardoz]

If he didn’t file for 2018, will he be able to count the days he spent in 2018 for his citizenship application?

Yes. They can be counted.

 

[andrew999929]

Thank you

 

[Alex54321]

Thank you

Yes. They can be counted.

Finally there is an answer!!!

My question is a bit different.

My spouse is in the same situation, moved to Canada as PR in August 2018 with no income for 2018 whatsoever. No income at all for 2018 - Canadian or worldwide.

Lets assume she is Canadian PR, married to non-resident of Canada who has only US income.

She put on her Canadian tax return - married, and put her husband name, SIN ( if there is one) and husband's Income.

My question is simple.

1. What is considered as husband's income?
Is it US gross income (the sum of everything an individual earns in a year, ) or US Adjusted Gross Income (deduction for retirement plan contributions, HSA deductions, etc) ?
2. Whatever is in answer of Q1 is it for whole year or from time of landing: Aug 2018-Dec 2018 ?

Thank you.

 

[canuck78]

Finally there is an answer!!!

My question is a bit different.

My spouse is in the same situation, moved to Canada as PR in August 2018 with no income for 2018 whatsoever. No income at all for 2018 - Canadian or worldwide. No questions about filing Canadian tax return for 2018, but my question is about me, her husband still living and working in USA ( only USA income!!! ) and considering myself non-resident of Canada for 2018. Please do not start discussion about my status, significant residential ties, deemed resident, factual resident, deemed non-resident, etc.

Lets assume she is Canadian PR, married to non-resident of Canada who has only US income.

She put on her Canadian tax return - married, and put her husband name, SIN ( if there is one) and husband's Income.

My question is simple.

1. What is considered as husband's income?
Is it US gross income (the sum of everything an individual earns in a year, ) or US Adjusted Gross Income (deduction for retirement plan contributions, HSA deductions, etc) ?
2. Whatever is in answer of Q1 is for whole year or from time of landing: Aug 2018-Dec 2018 ?

Thank you.

First you should have moved to Canada with your spouse because that is the only reason she was award PR.

1.Gross income is what must be declared.

 

[Alex54321]

First you should have moved to Canada with your spouse because that is the only reason she was award PR.

1.Gross income is what must be declared.

Thank you for the answer for the "Gross income", but what about the US/Canada treaty as far as retirement contribution deductions? As I remember US 401(K) contributions are similar to RRSP contributions and are deferred income.

Secondly, I respectfully asked not discuss husband's status and could you please point to immigration law which states that:
a) "sponsor should have moved to Canada"
b) " is the only reason she was award PR"

Thank you.

 

[canuck78]

Thank you for the answer for the "Gross income", but what about the US/Canada treaty as far as retirement contribution deductions? As I remember US 401(K) contributions are similar to RRSP contributions and are deferred income.

Secondly, I respectfully asked not discuss husband's status and could you please point to immigration law which states that:
a) "sponsor should have moved to Canada"
b) " is the only reason she was award PR"

Thank you.

The spouse is declaring how much the other spouse makes. Simple as that. Not sure why you're filing in the first place.

In order to get PR you had to prove that the Canadian spouse planned to relocate to Canada or else you would have not received PR. We see many people being denied because they haven't convinced CIC that they will relocate once the spouse has been granted PR. Next year you will have to file your taxes in the US and in Canada if you don't relocate. Anticipate that not relocating will come up and you will be asked about it because CIC doesn't like when they are lied to.