Retaining residency while living outside canada after getting passports

[liz9000]

Hi All
I need an advice from my senior members.
One of my close friends (married couple) lived in Canada till 2007 and got their passports. As they got passports, they got job in UK and have been living there since 2007.
They have not applied any tax returns since 2007.
Are there any factors that can affect their residency?
Are they liable to spend any time living in Canada in five years or ten years in order to secure their residency?

 

[canadianwoman]

If they have Canadian passports, they must be Canadian citizens. A Canadian citizen does not have to reside in Canada, and can come back any time.

 

[Bangkokcanuck]

This is very true but Residency and Citizenship are two very different things.

If you live outside of Canada and have not file to be a Non Resident you are expected to pay taxes on your worldwide income. I know this for a fact from personal experience. I had to file papers, close bank accounts, suspend health care, not own worldly goods in Canada etc..etc...

If one is not aware of this they might find a very disappointing surprise from RevCan one day... I got a bill for over 5k before I figured out how to stop it from happening in the future...

 

[canadianwoman]

True. I thought the OP meant that her friends were afraid of losing their residency, though - as in not being allowed back into Canada.

 

[Bangkokcanuck]

True. I thought the OP meant that her friends were afraid of losing their residency, though - as in not being allowed back into Canada.

yes I am not 100% clear on the actual question but when I saw residency and citizenship (i.e. passports) involved I thought I would make sure they understand that living outside of Canada does not automatically mean you don't have to pay taxes here..something to keep in mind before taking a job overseas.. make sure they get all the info from a good tax laywer or the gov't first.

But of course a citizen can come and go as they please whenever they please...