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Filing a Tax Return as a non resident newcomer

Hot2Cold

Champion Member
Nov 16, 2014
1,218
631
Hello all,

I am sure that this topic has been done before in some for or the other, but I would like to bring it up again for discussion.

The background
I am a new Permanent Resident of Canada and I landed in 2016. I was in Canada for less than a month, and have since returned. I have got a SIN, and have a bank account in Canada.


The main question
Do I need to file a tax return in Canada?

The investigation
As per this document (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/doyouhavetofile/), neither I nor my spouse meet any of these requirements to file a return.
I understand that being a Permanent Resident as per IRCC is different to being a Tax Resident according to the CRA.
As per this document (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/cmmn/rsdncy-eng.html), we do not have any significant ties in Canada. We do have a bank account, but that is just 1 secondary tie.
Also read: Non-residents of Canada (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/ndvdls/nnrs-eng.html)

Besides, we are both still legal residents of another country (not our country of citizenship). We have not applied for provincial health cover either.

The conclusion
As per my understanding, we do not need to file a return as we are not residents for tax purposes.


Supplementary questions
  • Can someone please let me know if they are in a similar situation? If so, what are you doing about it?
  • Should I file a return anyway?
  • Will this help in meeting the 4 tax returns currently expected during application for citizenship?
  • If I file, will I be liable to pay tax on my non Canadian Income (after DTAA considerations)? Or is this not taxable?
  • Any other points that I may have missed?
 

Gas72

Newbie
Mar 14, 2017
3
0
We are in the same situation and no one is able to give me a clear answer, I had a similar understanding to yours yet I will be very interested to have a firm confirmation on this !


Hot2Cold said:
Hello all,

I am sure that this topic has been done before in some for or the other, but I would like to bring it up again for discussion.

The background
I am a new Permanent Resident of Canada and I landed in 2016. I was in Canada for less than a month, and have since returned. I have got a SIN, and have a bank account in Canada.


The main question
Do I need to file a tax return in Canada?

The investigation
As per this document ([u), neither I nor my spouse meet any of these requirements to file a return.
I understand that being a Permanent Resident as per IRCC is different to being a Tax Resident according to the CRA.
As per this document ( we do not have any significant ties in Canada. We do have a bank account, but that is just 1 secondary tie.
Also read: Non-residents of Canada

Besides, we are both still legal residents of another country (not our country of citizenship). We have not applied for provincial health cover either.

The conclusion
As per my understanding, we do not need to file a return as we are not residents for tax purposes.


Supplementary questions
  • Can someone please let me know if they are in a similar situation? If so, what are you doing about it?
  • Should I file a return anyway?
  • Will this help in meeting the 4 tax returns currently expected during application for citizenship?
  • If I file, will I be liable to pay tax on my non Canadian Income (after DTAA considerations)? Or is this not taxable?
  • Any other points that I may have missed?
 

Gujjuboy

Full Member
Sep 27, 2015
26
7
I am also in similar situation (having PR through SINP nomination) & visited Canada in 2016 for less than a month. someone told me to file the tax return with zero income but need to have confirmation here.
 

Gujjuboy

Full Member
Sep 27, 2015
26
7
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/t4058/t4058-e.html#P83_5491

As per above link.. i think its not required..