Can a newcomer permanent resident (in 2020) voluntarily file nil income tax return in Canada for previous years (2018, 2019) as non resident?

[globalcitizen1111]

Hello,

I am a newcomer permanent resident in Canada (in 2020) interested to sponsor my parents for PR in 2021 which requires me to provide NOA for the last 3 years.

Therefore, wanted to know if I can voluntarily file nil income tax return in Canada for previous years (2018, 2019) as non resident wherein I can report / record income from previous country of residence.

Thanks

 

[Qwertypod]

You can't file for any years that you have not been a resident. Even if you file 0, it won't qualify you as the minimum income needed would be obviously more than 0.

 

[globalcitizen1111]

Thank you for your response.

Since you brought up the point about minimum income, as per Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227) don't think minimum income needs to be taxable.

Therefore even if I can file income tax return in Canada as a non resident with 0 taxable income can atleast report / disclose / put on CRA records any non-taxable income from previous country of residence which can be considered as minimum income.

 

[steaky]

Thank you for your response.

Since you brought up the point about minimum income, as per Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227) don't think minimum income needs to be taxable.

Therefore even if I can file income tax return in Canada as a non resident with 0 taxable income can atleast report / disclose / put on CRA records any non-taxable income from previous country of residence which can be considered as minimum income.

To be eligible for sponsoring your parents, your gross income (line 150 of NOA) for the 3 years must meet a certain income. If you file 0 for 2018-19, that's clearly makes you ineligible.

 

[canuck78]

Thank you for your response.

Since you brought up the point about minimum income, as per Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227) don't think minimum income needs to be taxable.

Therefore even if I can file income tax return in Canada as a non resident with 0 taxable income can atleast report / disclose / put on CRA records any non-taxable income from previous country of residence which can be considered as minimum income.

It does need to be taxable income for LICO. Think you need to come to terms with the fact that you don;t qualify to sponsor your parents in 2021.

 

[deadbird]

Thank you for your response.

Since you brought up the point about minimum income, as per Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227) don't think minimum income needs to be taxable.

Therefore even if I can file income tax return in Canada as a non resident with 0 taxable income can atleast report / disclose / put on CRA records any non-taxable income from previous country of residence which can be considered as minimum income.

Sounds like you're a hustler! But nope. This won't work. Creative ideas though.

 

[Copingwithlife]

Hello,

I am a newcomer permanent resident in Canada (in 2020) interested to sponsor my parents for PR in 2021 which requires me to provide NOA for the last 3 years.

Therefore, wanted to know if I can voluntarily file nil income tax return in Canada for previous years (2018, 2019) as non resident wherein I can report / record income from previous country of residence.

Thanks

Sometimes you seriously, like seriously wonder what is going thru people’s heads ....