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First time filing taxes BC

jenni_usa

Full Member
Jun 23, 2009
36
1
We arrived in BC last summer and will be filing our taxes here in Canada for the first time. Do most people hire someone to do the taxes for them the first time around? We are from the US and I normally do our taxes every year - I am wondering how hard it is to just do them ourselves here. What is the cost of having someone do them (perhaps HR&Block?).

Also, I remember reading somewhere that as a newcomer, Canada gives a lot of tax breaks the first 5 years. Is this true and what sorts of tax breaks do we get? We are here on a work permit, but getting our PR through the provincial nominee program.

And I have seen some stuff on a child tax benefit. What exactly is it and if you are eligible, do you just get this money refunded to you on your taxes or is it some sort of separate payment/benefit?

If you file your taxes electronically here, how long does it take to get the direct deposit if you are entitled to a refund? Is it pretty quick or does it take months?
 

Baloo

VIP Member
Nov 30, 2009
4,879
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jenni_usa said:
We arrived in BC last summer and will be filing our taxes here in Canada for the first time. Do most people hire someone to do the taxes for them the first time around? We are from the US and I normally do our taxes every year - I am wondering how hard it is to just do them ourselves here. What is the cost of having someone do them (perhaps HR&Block?).

Also, I remember reading somewhere that as a newcomer, Canada gives a lot of tax breaks the first 5 years. Is this true and what sorts of tax breaks do we get? We are here on a work permit, but getting our PR through the provincial nominee program.

And I have seen some stuff on a child tax benefit. What exactly is it and if you are eligible, do you just get this money refunded to you on your taxes or is it some sort of separate payment/benefit?

If you file your taxes electronically here, how long does it take to get the direct deposit if you are entitled to a refund? Is it pretty quick or does it take months?
I can offer a couple of answers, ...

You can use a program on your computer to compile taxes, and then file online.
The refund payment arrives within 2-3 weeks (in Ontario).
 

jenni_usa

Full Member
Jun 23, 2009
36
1
Thanks - I actually just found out that if you are filing for the first time you cannot telefile or efile. You have to mail it in.

Now, do we have to report our income prior to moving to Canada for 2010? Obviously we did not have foreign income while living here in Canada, so I am assuming we do not report that...right?