No Income, Student - Income tax returns for citizenship

[quasar81]

I have a friend(Age 25+, in case if it matters if he is adult or not) who came here as PR in 2013 and in 2015 started doing his MBA. He doesn't have any income in 2015 and 2016. He will have 4 years of PR residency in 2017.

Will that(Zero income tax in 2015/2016) create trouble when he files for Citizenship in 2017, all assuming C-6 doesn't pass and current law is in effect.

 

[quasar81]

Bump. Any guidance here. Thanks in advance.

 

[keesio]

Not having income is not an issue. But has he been filing his taxes during that duration?

 

[quasar81]

Not having income is not an issue. But has he been filing his taxes during that duration?

Yes. This year he plans to file with $100 or so of income he had while doing some research work assistance with a professor....that's all he made this year..

 

[chikloo]

Yes. This year he plans to file with $100 or so of income he had while doing some research work assistance with a professor....that's all he made this year..

Ask your friend to keep his proof of financial support during this unemployed period. If he got it from friends / family please ask him to get an affidavit.

this will help incase he gets rq. he should not have any issues in getting a citizenship.

 

[alexchristi]

Yes. This year he plans to file with $100 or so of income he had while doing some research work assistance with a professor....that's all he made this year..

He has to file taxes for each year that he wae present in Caanada. Even if he had zero income.

 

[links18]

He has to file taxes for each year that he wae present in Caanada. Even if he had zero income.

Untrue. You only have to produce tax returns if you were required to file them. People with no income probably aren't required to file.

 

[dkera]

Untrue. You only have to produce tax returns if you were required to file them. People with no income probably aren't required to file.

people with no income aren't required to file.

It's kind of dumb to not file as you miss out on credits.
That said, if he hasn't filed for 4 years he can't apply for citizenship yet.

 

[alexchristi]

According to the CRA website:
"Even if none of these requirements apply, you should file a return if:

You want to claim a refund.
You want to claim the working income tax benefit for 2016.
You want the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit (including any related provincial credits). For example, you may be eligible if you turn 19 before April 2018.
You or your spouse or common-law partner want to begin or continue receiving Canada child benefit payments, including related provincial or territorial benefit payments.

You have incurred a non-capital loss (see line 236) in 2016 that you want to be able to apply in other years.

You want to carry forward or transfer the unused part of your tuition, education, and textbook amounts. See line 323."

To me it looks like he has to file taxes in order to be able to claim his tuition later on.
Also he can go and find one of those student tax clinics ( not for profit) and file all four years at once...for freeeee.

 

[JpEtCaro]

According to the CRA website:
"Even if none of these requirements apply, you should file a return if:

You want to claim a refund.
You want to claim the working income tax benefit for 2016.
You want the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit (including any related provincial credits). For example, you may be eligible if you turn 19 before April 2018.
You or your spouse or common-law partner want to begin or continue receiving Canada child benefit payments, including related provincial or territorial benefit payments.

You have incurred a non-capital loss (see line 236) in 2016 that you want to be able to apply in other years.

You want to carry forward or transfer the unused part of your tuition, education, and textbook amounts. See line 323."

To me it looks like he has to file taxes in order to be able to claim his tuition later on.
Also he can go and find one of those student tax clinics ( not for profit) and file all four years at once...for freeeee.

Do you still have the link of were you took your quote alex ?

 

[Mumby]

Hey JpEtCaro,

Here you go:
cra-arc.gc.ca/doyouhavetofile