To claim or not to claim your non-resident spouse on your Canadian tax return

[Rob_TO]

yes, I read the link. thank you again for that link. I don't think I'm going to claim it then. I'll just state that I'm married.

Showing you've changed your marital status from single to married with CRA, is enough proof to include in the PR app in terms of taxes.

But do you know if CIC also have the same restrictions? Like you said you found this fishy, CIC have no clue who I am and want evidence for me supporting her. If get a written letter from her ex boss, receipts from wire transfer, text messages supporting this between her and I. If there's link for this, that'll be helpful.

CIC does not have the same restrictions, and you are open to include anything you think may help. All the proof you submit will be assessed as an overall picture of your relationship/marriage to show it is genuine. So definitely include the details exactly as you've described here, and the financial support will be just 1 of what I assume are other pieces of evidence you'll also be submitting.

 

[msb]

Showing you've changed your marital status from single to married with CRA, is enough proof to include in the PR app in terms of taxes.


CIC does not have the same restrictions, and you are open to include anything you think may help. All the proof you submit will be assessed as an overall picture of your relationship/marriage to show it is genuine. So definitely include the details exactly as you've described here, and the financial support will be just 1 of what I assume are other pieces of evidence you'll also be submitting.

Hi
My husband is an outland applicant. I do not support him as he has a job in his country, he makes a very low amount though. So i cannot claim him as my dependant. How will this work for me? Can i claim at least the cost of the sponsorship application? I use ufile, i hope it will be easy to file..

 

[calvinw06]

Showing you've changed your marital status from single to married with CRA, is enough proof to include in the PR app in terms of taxes.

CIC does not have the same restrictions, and you are open to include anything you think may help. All the proof you submit will be assessed as an overall picture of your relationship/marriage to show it is genuine. So definitely include the details exactly as you've described here, and the financial support will be just 1 of what I assume are other pieces of evidence you'll also be submitting.

Oh this is good status for CIC? hehe I just hope whatever I do now and evidences I saved is enough proof for CIC. I didn't think I had to declare I was married with the CRA lol. I thought if I did the sponsorship application. It'll change my status automatically. *slap forehead*

I just want to do things the right way lol...another question about the wire transfer for CRA. Is that the only supporting evidences they're looking for when it comes to "money". For example, I gave her money to bring back home after our marriage and honeymoon together. I wish I took pictures of her holding the cash to prove that I bought that much with me. But just never thought of it.

On the hand with CIC, I'm planning to do exactly this in the Fall when I do go see her Lima again. Going to bring money to her again to avoid all those bank fees and take pictures of her holding the money. That's like the only solution I can think of now to prove I financially support her. Do you think this is a good idea and workable?

 

[msb]

Oh this is good status for CIC? hehe I just hope whatever I do now and evidences I saved is enough proof for CIC. I didn't think I had to declare I was married with the CRA lol. I thought if I did the sponsorship application. It'll change my status automatically. *slap forehead*

I just want to do things the right way lol...another question about the wire transfer for CRA. Is that the only supporting evidences they're looking for when it comes to "money". For example, I gave her money to bring back home after our marriage and honeymoon together. I wish I took pictures of her holding the cash to prove that I bought that much with me. But just never thought of it.

On the hand with CIC, I'm planning to do exactly this in the Fall when I do go see her Lima again. Going to bring money to her again to avoid all those bank fees and take pictures of her holding the money. That's like the only solution I can think of now to prove I financially support her. Do you think this is a good idea and workable?

I sent a letter from CRA that shows all my income taxes the last few years has filed and no money owed
That letter shows my marital status as married. I had advised them i was married as i called them to change ny name last year

 

[Rob_TO]

Hi
My husband is an outland applicant. I do not support him as he has a job in his country, he makes a very low amount though. So i cannot claim him as my dependant. How will this work for me? Can i claim at least the cost of the sponsorship application? I use ufile, i hope it will be easy to file..

No, you can't claim the cost of the app. Since he doesn't live with you in Canada, you can't claim anything for him on taxes.

 

[Rob_TO]

Oh this is good status for CIC? hehe I just hope whatever I do now and evidences I saved is enough proof for CIC. I didn't think I had to declare I was married with the CRA lol. I thought if I did the sponsorship application. It'll change my status automatically. *slap forehead*

I just want to do things the right way lol...another question about the wire transfer for CRA. Is that the only supporting evidences they're looking for when it comes to "money". For example, I gave her money to bring back home after our marriage and honeymoon together. I wish I took pictures of her holding the cash to prove that I bought that much with me. But just never thought of it.

On the hand with CIC, I'm planning to do exactly this in the Fall when I do go see her Lima again. Going to bring money to her again to avoid all those bank fees and take pictures of her holding the money. That's like the only solution I can think of now to prove I financially support her. Do you think this is a good idea and workable?

Sure this is all good for CIC and your PR application, but will not help with CRA in terms of being able to claim her as a dependent for tax credits. The specific evidence they are looking for to show financial support (like wire transfers addressed specifically to the spouse), is detailed on the website linked to in previous post. Showing a photograph of someone holding cash, will not work.

 

[msb]

No, you can't claim the cost of the app. Since he doesn't live with you in Canada, you can't claim anything for him on taxes.

So when i file my taxes this week, i just put his name and zeros for his SIN, do i even bother putting an income? His job is seasonal and he did not make much last year, maybe 4-5k if that

 

[Rob_TO]

So when i file my taxes this week, i just put his name and zeros for his SIN, do i even bother putting an income? His job is seasonal and he did not make much last year, maybe 4-5k if that

It depends, if you get any other tax credits (like GST/HST credit, child credits, etc) that depend on income, CRA may want his world income so they can add it to yours, to use as a "family income" to calculate what amount in credits you're actually eligible for.

 

[msb]

It depends, if you get any other tax credits (like GST/HST credit, child credits, etc) that depend on income, CRA may want his world income so they can add it to yours, to use as a "family income" to calculate what amount in credits you're actually eligible for.

Ok i will add an apprx canadian amount of what he made. They do not have t4's in his country so thats all i can provide is an estimated amount

 

[Rob_TO]

Ok i will add an apprx canadian amount of what he made. They do not have t4's in his country so thats all i can provide is an estimated amount

From what i've seen of this situation, CRA does not usually ask for proof of the income. They simply ask for the world income and will take your word that what you state is accurate.

Of course in case one is ever audited in the future, at that time they may ask for further proofs.

 

[msb]

From what i've seen of this situation, CRA does not usually ask for proof of the income. They simply ask for the world income and will take your word that what you state is accurate.

Of course in case one is ever audited in the future, at that time they may ask for further proofs.

There would be no proof. DR does not get anything to show anual income!

 

[pie_vancouver]

So when i file my taxes this week, i just put his name and zeros for his SIN, do i even bother putting an income? His job is seasonal and he did not make much last year, maybe 4-5k if that

4k-5k cad? is there a tax agency in his country where people file ITR? even if that is seasonal unless it is under the table job.

 

[msb]

4k-5k cad? is there a tax agency in his country where people file ITR? even if that is seasonal unless it is under the table job.

Nope. Never heard of income tax from him. No its not under the table job.

 

[manitobagirl]

I have a question. I did send money to my husband who is outland applicant, but some receipts i did not keep it. But i was sending money through Western Union. Can they give me a print out?.And another question, is it advisable to claim him as a dependant? Or just to change my status to married?

 

[Rob_TO]

I have a question. I did send money to my husband who is outland applicant, but some receipts i did not keep it. But i was sending money through Western Union. Can they give me a print out?.And another question, is it advisable to claim him as a dependant? Or just to change my status to married?

Read posts from first page, and link to CRA site on the topic. Claiming a non-resident spouse as dependent for tax credit is very complex and requires more than just showing a few money transfers.

For purposes of PR application, just showing married status on taxes is good enough.