taxes, getting married in dec and filing married joint

[Snowisland]

I am USA and soon to be hubby is Canadian. We will marry next month and then file taxes jointly, we will apply for my pr outland. I have no idea how to file the taxes. I live and work in usa and he lives and works in Canada. We did open a joint account at bank together last year. We are delaying our pr application so we can show filing our taxes jointly, thinking that will be helpful in proving relationship. Thanks for any info you can offer.

 

[rhcohen2014]

if you are married, it's not necessary to wait to file taxes to show proof of relationship. you don't even have to change your filing status for application purposes. that is generally more important in commonlaw relationships. especially since you are a US citizen, the burden of proof needed is not terribly significant. your marriage certificate proves you are married, pictures from your wedding and times you've spent together will suffice.

 

[Snowisland]

You made me so happy!!! Wow! So much stress is gone now! TY!

 

[Rob_TO]

There is no such thing as "joint" income tax filing in Canada. Each person needs to do their own individual income tax, although if a couple is married they will list each other as spouses on their taxes, and claim any applicable tax credits.

So in your case, as a US citizen even after getting married to a Canadian, you personally do not have to file any Canadian income tax unless you actually made income in Canada.

However if you get married in Dec 2014, your husband needs to then immediately change his tax status with CRA from single to married. Then when your husband files his 2014 taxes he will do so as married, and list you as his spouse. They will also ask for your Canadian SIN, but since you don't have one he can just put 000 000 000 for this section. They will also ask for your "world" income, which would be any income you made in the US. This will determine your total family income, and will be used to calculate what tax credits your husband will or won't be qualified for.

 

[Snowisland]

Thanks. Do we have to include a tax return with our sponsorship package or just the form that will prove he has not been on any public assistance? And of course paystubs and letter from employer.

 

[Rob_TO]

Thanks. Do we have to include a tax return with our sponsorship package or just the form that will prove he has not been on any public assistance? And of course paystubs and letter from employer.

It really depends on when exactly you submit the PR app. A requirement for the sponsor is to submit their "Option C" printout, which is basically a tax return summary. However if you apply for PR shortly after getting married his latest Option C may be from 2013 when he was single. If you apply a bit later in 2015 then he may use the 2014 Option C which will show married. Either way, it doesn't really matter.

Also some people use their tax info change as proof of legitimate marriage. So when he changes his status with CRA from single to married, can print that page off and include in your PR app as further proof.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Thanks. Do we have to include a tax return with our sponsorship package or just the form that will prove he has not been on any public assistance? And of course paystubs and letter from employer.

no a tax return is not required. an option C is required.

 

[Snowisland]

Thanks everyone!