Tax Issues For Investors And Canadian Immigrants Simplified

By Stephanie Brown


Taxation obligations in Canada are not determined by your citizenship status. Rather, the country has adopted a system where you are taxed based on your worldwide income. This demands that immigrants and investors minimize their burden as much as possible. This can be done by considering the tax issues for investors and Canadian immigrants.

Some people living away from Canada think that it has an incredible income earning system. Many will be disappointed upon landing and therefore leave the family there to search for work of money abroad. Leaving the family behind does not shield you from taxation obligations. It is the state in which you leave them and your own status abroad that will determine your obligations.

Residency comes with obligations that prove to be a burden to many unsuspecting people. Contrary to many other jurisdictions, you are required to declare everything you earn allover the world. There is a temptation to hide some of the income from Canadian authorities. Unfortunately, with open information sharing allover the world, you will be caught. This has the potential of compromising your permanent resident status. It is in fact a criminal offense.

Failure to declare worldwide income is considered a crime and is worse if you are a resident. The rules that govern acquisition of permanent residence status and immigration are very tough. You run the risk of losing this privilege for failing to declare income. Revenue authorities institute audits on citizens who evade taxation. The solution is to search for as much information as possible regarding your obligations based on your unique status.

Establishing whether you are a tax resident of Canada is a good point to start. This label can be avoided by maintaining minimum ties with Canada or establishing stronger ties elsewhere. It calls for an evaluation of taxation obligations in both countries to establish the most favorable. Does shifting your obligations to another country affect your permanent resident status? The plain answer is no because the two issues are mutually exclusive.

The fact that residency and taxation are mutually exclusive issues means that you can take one and not the other. However, you will still need to minimize your exposure to taxation. The solution is to register an Immigration Trust. This guarantees a taxation holiday running for five years. Your obligations and benefits with the trust will be determined by the interaction between the laws governing the two countries.

When all is said and done, is chasing residency important? A clause that gave special status to workers employed by Canadian firms and spouses living or touring with Canadian citizens for 730 days in five years residency provides an answer. This clause is an easy and legal way to live and work in Canada without having dealing with tax burdens.

Immigration reforms instituted a few years back have made it easy to live and even have a family without taking permanent residency. The multiple entry visa and super visa allow you to enter freely or live with the family for two years. It thus simplifies your interactions without having to take up permanent residency. You have the liberty to later move your interests to Canada and live with the family after completing your errands abroad.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment