Question about taxes with spouse residing abroad

[bttmntl]

I went to H&R Block to file my taxes and the employee was asking for the personal info of my spouse, including SIN number.

We're in the process of applying for permanent residence through spousal sponsorship but right now he is just a Mexican citizen... and while he spent some time in Canada before we got married in 2012, he wasn't earning an income.

The guy at H&R Block said something about me writing a letter to the Canada Revenue Agency to explain the situation but he said this is very rare and wasn't 100% sure so I decided to come back after doing some more research.

How did the rest of you handle this? I'm not worried about getting the maximum benefits or anything, just don't want to unintentionally violate some of the rules.

 

[MadeInCanada]

Last year I wrote a letter including all my personal information (DOB SIN ect...) Then the name DOB of my husband where he lives what his job is and his current salary and that he is currently a non resident. How much money I received from him (in Canadian funds).

It kept them happy till this year where I will do it again. Mailing it tomorrow actually.


Take Care

 

[jarry96]

I went to H&R Block to file my taxes and the employee was asking for the personal info of my spouse, including SIN number.

We're in the process of applying for permanent residence through spousal sponsorship but right now he is just a Mexican citizen... and while he spent some time in Canada before we got married in 2012, he wasn't earning an income.

The guy at H&R Block said something about me writing a letter to the Canada Revenue Agency to explain the situation but he said this is very rare and wasn't 100% sure so I decided to come back after doing some more research.

How did the rest of you handle this? I'm not worried about getting the maximum benefits or anything, just don't want to unintentionally violate some of the rules.

You may claim your non-resident husband as a dependent even thought he has no SIN as long as his income is below the threshold and as long as you have supported him. You should attach a letter to your tax return stating those facts along with copies of remittances or other proof to show that you did in fact support him during the year you claim him.

 

[jarry96]

You would need to find out what his total income was for the year and then translate it into Canadian dollars using the official average exchange rate for 2012 as posted on the Bank of Canada website. You would then enter that amount in the space provided on the tax return.