File Tax For A Previous Year

[TLOU]

Hey Everyone,

I landed and became a PR in October 2017 and only started working in January 2018 to present.

I only filed my tax for 2018. Was I supposed to file tax for 2017 when I became a PR as well?

I was basically unemployed from Oct 2017 to Dec 2017. I don’t owe anything to the CRA for 2017 and income was 0.

 

[GraceCan]

Hey Everyone,

I landed and became a PR in October 2017 and only started working in January 2018 to present.

I only filed my tax for 2018. Was I supposed to file tax for 2017 when I became a PR as well?

I was basically unemployed from Oct 2017 to Dec 2017. I don’t owe anything to the CRA for 2017 and income was 0.

Yes you need to file taxes irrespective of whether you owe or not, irrespective of your employment status.

 

[ahmed5]

Yes , even if you were not employed , you should file for Taxes

 

[TLOU]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Since I don’t owe anything to the CRA, I would assume it’s fine to file tax today even though the deadline was end of April, is that correct?

 

[FreshCanadianBoi]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Since I don’t owe anything to the CRA, I would assume it’s fine to file tax today even though the deadline was end of April, is that correct?

You can file taxes at any point in the year. The deadline is very important for cases where you owe money (as interest will begin to accumulate), but also for benefits that you may be eligible for. As a matter of fact, if you have only started working in 2018, you may be eligible for credits/benefits for the previous year.

Bottom line - definitely do your taxes.

 

[TLOU]

You can file taxes at any point in the year. The deadline is very important for cases where you owe money (as interest will begin to accumulate), but also for benefits that you may be eligible for. As a matter of fact, if you have only started working in 2018, you may be eligible for credits/benefits for the previous year.

Bottom line - definitely do your taxes.

Ok thanks will do!

 

[21Goose]

Hey Everyone,

I landed and became a PR in October 2017 and only started working in January 2018 to present.

I only filed my tax for 2018. Was I supposed to file tax for 2017 when I became a PR as well?

I was basically unemployed from Oct 2017 to Dec 2017. I don’t owe anything to the CRA for 2017 and income was 0.

Did you file taxes in your home country in 2017? Does that country have a tax treaty with Canada?

If yes, then you may not need to file taxes as you can be considered a deemed non-resident of Canada.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/information-been-moved/determining-your-residency-status.html

If you are a deemed non-resident of Canada, you only need to pay tax on any income earned in Canada. There's a list here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/non-residents-canada.html

If you have no income, and you are a deemed non-resident, then you don't need to file a tax return.

 

[TLOU]

Did you file taxes in your home country in 2017? Does that country have a tax treaty with Canada?

If yes, then you may not need to file taxes as you can be considered a deemed non-resident of Canada.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/information-been-moved/determining-your-residency-status.html

If you are a deemed non-resident of Canada, you only need to pay tax on any income earned in Canada. There's a list here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/non-residents-canada.html

If you have no income, and you are a deemed non-resident, then you don't need to file a tax return.

My country doesn't have a tax treaty with Canada. I am a resident since I landed. Anyway, I already filed my tax for 2017 now.

Thank you everyone!