Income splitting for couples on Family Class Sponsorship

[quebecnewhusband]

2 questions... My wife arrived in Canada in August 2014 and applied inland for permanent residency in October. She didn't get any income in Canada in 2014 because she's not allowed to work yet. She got Aknowledgement of Receipt (AOR), but not Approval in Principle (AIP) yet.

1- Does she HAVE TO fill a tax return?

2- If it's not mandatory, can she still do it? And if she does, can we benefit, as a couple, from the new income splitting program? Basically... I make $65 000 a year. Can we each declare $32 500 and pay less taxes?

 

[steaky]

Although she's not allowed to work yet, there is no law that doesn't allow her to earn investment income during her stay in Canada. If so, she will have to fill a tax return.

 

[justagirrl]

The new income splitting for 2014 is a "family tax cut" - do you have children? If not, you are not eligible.