Planning to land in December...Canadian taxes?

[ilikesushi]

My spouse and I have our COPRs, and we are preparing to head to Canada and land in the middle of December.

We are going to open a Canadian bank account before we land, this week (so early/mid November).

I will not be taking any time off of work, and I'll be working remotely for a US employer (paid in US dollars).

Will I need to file a Canadian tax return next April for the two weeks at the end of the year I'll be in Canada?

Thank you.

 

[Investocrat]

Yes you will.After landing, you are deemed a resident for tax purposes.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

My spouse and I have our COPRs, and we are preparing to head to Canada and land in the middle of December.

We are going to open a Canadian bank account before we land, this week (so early/mid November).

I will not be taking any time off of work, and I'll be working remotely for a US employer (paid in US dollars).

Will I need to file a Canadian tax return next April for the two weeks at the end of the year I'll be in Canada?

Thank you.

You are not required to file but you should do it anyways to establish with CRA the date that you became resident in Canada.

 

[torontosm]

You are not required to file but you should do it anyways to establish with CRA the date that you became resident in Canada.

Given the OP will be working and will have income to declare, he is required to file.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Given the OP will be working and will have income to declare, he is required to file.

OP won't owe anything on that income, so not actually required to file.

 

[torontosm]

OP won't owe anything on that income, so not actually required to file.

How do you figure that? The OP is living in Canada and working in Canada, so is obligated to pay tax in Canada for the 2 week period that he is a resident.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

How do you figure that? The OP is living in Canada and working in Canada, so is obligated to pay tax in Canada for the 2 week period that he is a resident.

OP is moving to Canada in mid-December, so unless they are making $5000+/week, it is unlikely that they will make more than the Basic Personal Amount in that time and so won't actually owe taxes in Canada. As stated in their post, it will be foreign income, so there will be no CPP or EI contributions owing either.

 

[sns204]

I would agree that they won't likely be liable for any tax, but should file just to have record of doing so.

 

[torontosm]

OP is moving to Canada in mid-December, so unless they are making $5000+/week, it is unlikely that they will make more than the Basic Personal Amount in that time and so won't actually owe taxes in Canada. As stated in their post, it will be foreign income, so there will be no CPP or EI contributions owing either.

That makes sense. Thanks for the explanation!

 

[next2015]

OP won't owe anything on that income, so not actually required to file.

You don’t file tax returns because you owe. You file because it’s the law - you must declare your income. Whether you owe or not, is a separate discussion.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

You don’t file tax returns because you owe. You file because it’s the law - you must declare your income. Whether you owe or not, is a separate discussion.

Show your proof.


https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/you-have-file-a-return.html

Note that "having an income" is not listed as a reason requiring a person to file. "Owing taxes" is the requirement.