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Taxes

azumaetar

Full Member
Mar 3, 2017
35
11
Hello,

I'm going to fill the forms for citizenship, how should I do the taxes? My common law sponsor me and for now he is the only working, I never filed taxes because he told me that I am in his as a dependant. So do I need to file taxes on my own anyways or should I just summit my common law's taxes statement?

Thanks in advance,
 

abbas.pasha

VIP Member
Sep 17, 2016
3,337
1,908
Hello,

I'm going to fill the forms for citizenship, how should I do the taxes? My common law sponsor me and for now he is the only working, I never filed taxes because he told me that I am in his as a dependant. So do I need to file taxes on my own anyways or should I just summit my common law's taxes statement?

Thanks in advance,
You can refer this before submitting your application

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-0002-application-canadian-citizenship-under-subsection-5-1-adults-18-years-older.html

Step 1 – Make sure you're eligible
To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you:

  • must be a permanent resident (landed immigrant) of Canada
  • must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the 5 years immediately before you apply
  • may need to file personal income taxes for at least 3 years within the 5-year period
  • must demonstrate adequate knowledge of English or French (if you are between 18 and 54 years old when you apply)
  • must demonstrate you have knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship (if you are between 18 and 54 years old when you apply—this is assessed after you apply)
  • can’t have any unfulfilled conditions related to their permanent resident status
  • can’t be under a removal order
  • can’t be inadmissible or prohibited on criminal or security grounds

Question 12.
To determine if you were required, under the Income Tax Act, to file income taxes, please refer to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) information on Newcomers to Canada (immigrants).

  1. If you have one, provide the 9-digit number for your
  2. In the chart, tell us about your income tax filing for the last 5 years.
    • Under the Required to file column
    • Under the Taxes filedcolumn
      • check “Yes” if you filed a tax return that year
      • check “No” if you didn’t file a tax return that year

Note: The tax years are auto generated once you enter your eligibility period in question 9. Additionally, you need to complete this chart in full even if you didn’t live in Canada for part of your 5 year eligibility period.


  1. Check “Yes” to authorize the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to provide details of your tax filing information (including income, benefit and residence information) to IRCC.

    By checking “Yes” you’re also authorizing us to collect your tax filing information from the CRA to help
    • determine if you meet the income tax and physical presence requirements for citizenship
    • examine your tax information in activities to support quality assurance and integrity in the citizenship program

  2. Subsection 8(1) of the Privacy Act and paragraph 241(5)(b) of the Income Tax Act allows the CRA to provide personal information to IRCC, with the consent of the relevant individuals. This consent is required under paragraph 2(1)(e) of the Citizenship Regulations, No. 2.
 

rajkamalmohanram

VIP Member
Apr 29, 2015
15,802
5,769
Hello,

I'm going to fill the forms for citizenship, how should I do the taxes? My common law sponsor me and for now he is the only working, I never filed taxes because he told me that I am in his as a dependant. So do I need to file taxes on my own anyways or should I just summit my common law's taxes statement?

Thanks in advance,
Only CRA can tell if you "had" to file a tax return or not. If you didn't work but obtained GST/HST credit, for example, then you might have to file tax returns in that case. It is best to call CRA and ask them. And going forward, it is always best to file a tax return irrespective of whether you "have" to file or not. Filing a 0 income return just for documentation purposes doesn't hurt.
 
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Buletruck

VIP Member
May 18, 2015
6,694
2,534
Everyone should file taxes, income or not. That's how you qualify for things like CT rebate, GST rebate and TFSA Benefits
 

RubenClements

Newbie
Apr 6, 2024
1
0
Navigating taxes can be confusing, especially in unique situations like yours.
From what I've learned, it's essential to file your own taxes if you have income, even if you're listed as a dependent. It's worth checking with a tax professional to ensure everything's in order. By the way, have you ever heard of what is a backdoor Roth IRA? It's a tax-efficient investment option that might interest you as you navigate your financial journey.
 

Buletruck

VIP Member
May 18, 2015
6,694
2,534
From what I've learned, it's essential to file your own taxes if you have income, even if you're listed as a dependent. It's worth checking with a tax professional to ensure everything's in order. By the way, have you ever heard of what is a backdoor Roth IRA? It's a tax-efficient investment option that might interest you as you navigate your financial journey.
Ah....the uneducated scammer! No such thing as a Roth IRA in Canada dopey!