Should we put our previous income in Child Benefit Form !

[Hasni]

Dear friends, Regarding CCTB (child benefits), the form asks for previous one year and two year income from the day we became permanent resident. Now this form shall be filled and applied by my wife as she would be the main applicant. She has never been to any job hence no previous income, but being her spouse I will have to put my income as the form asks for main applicant and spouse's income. Obviously I need to put my income here but my question is, can we put any amount, or it should not be above a certain benchmark or we should put our genuine income. Secondly, income put here may effect the benefit amount that we shall be getting or it's just a formality, pls suggest. Thanks

 

[torontosm]

Dear friends, Regarding CCTB (child benefits), the form asks for previous one year and two year income from the day we became permanent resident. Now this form shall be filled and applied by my wife as she would be the main applicant. She has never been to any job hence no previous income, but being her spouse I will have to put my income as the form asks for main applicant and spouse's income. Obviously I need to put my income here but my question is, can we put any amount, or it should not be above a certain benchmark or we should put our genuine income. Secondly, income put here may effect the benefit amount that we shall be getting or it's just a formality, pls suggest. Thanks

You have to put the actual amount, and should not even consider fabricating a number to maximize benefits. You will have to disclose the same when you file your income taxes this year, and any discrepancies may be examined further. These are legal documents and failure to tell the truth could have severe consequences.

 

[Hasni]

You have to put the actual amount, and should not even consider fabricating a number to maximize benefits. You will have to disclose the same when you file your income taxes this year, and any discrepancies may be examined further. These are legal documents and failure to tell the truth could have severe consequences.

correct, but in my case I landed for just 15 days and came out, hence don't meet the residency obligations which is necessary if my worldwide income has to be taxed. So when I fill the form and mention my last year income, it should not be more than a formality, atleast that is what I understand. Further when I file my tax returns this time, which would be my first tax return, I am gonna put my income as zero. Please comment if I am not taking it correctly. Thanks

 

[torontosm]

correct, but in my case I landed for just 15 days and came out, hence don't meet the residency obligations which is necessary if my worldwide income has to be taxed. So when I fill the form and mention my last year income, it should not be more than a formality, atleast that is what I understand. Further when I file my tax returns this time, which would be my first tax return, I am gonna put my income as zero. Please comment if I am not taking it correctly. Thanks

Disclosure of income prior to your becoming a resident (for tax purposes, as defined by the CRA) has nothing to do with income taxes. While you will not be taxed on your global income prior to your official "residency" date, you must still disclose all global earnings.

When you file your annual taxes next year, you will be asked when you effectively became a tax resident. You will also be asked to distinguish between income earned prior to that date, and income earned subsequent to that date. You will only be taxed on the subsequent income. However, the prior income must still be disclosed.

Based on a quick review of your previous posts, I understand that you just arrived in Canada a week or so ago. I would advise you to try and stay on the right side of the law, and ignore the advice of people who tell you to lie or misrepresent things on government forms to maximize benefits. Over the long term, it will only cause you difficulties, undue stress and problems.

 

[Hasni]

Disclosure of income prior to your becoming a resident (for tax purposes, as defined by the CRA) has nothing to do with income taxes. While you will not be taxed on your global income prior to your official "residency" date, you must still disclose all global earnings.

When you file your annual taxes next year, you will be asked when you effectively became a tax resident. You will also be asked to distinguish between income earned prior to that date, and income earned subsequent to that date. You will only be taxed on the subsequent income. However, the prior income must still be disclosed.

Based on a quick review of your previous posts, I understand that you just arrived in Canada a week or so ago. I would advise you to try and stay on the right side of the law, and ignore the advice of people who tell you to lie or misrepresent things on government forms to maximize benefits. Over the long term, it will only cause you difficulties, undue stress and problems.

thanks dear,agree with what you said, I did a short landing (15days) in Nov2013, and now shall be going again in the running month. Can you suggest me any audit / law office who can help me filing my tax returns and applying for CCTB. In Mississauga