Like every other developed nation, taxation in Canada is complex. The uniqueness of tax issues for investors and Canadian immigrants lies in the fact that taxation is based on residency. This means that you pay taxes for all income you earn in Canada and outside the country. As such, you need to have clear residency determination to know how much you are required to pay.
There are taxation courts to determine how much you pay based on residential ties. Your ties may be regarded as either strong or weak. Ties categorized as strong include instances where one has rented or owns a dwelling place. Residency of spouses or dependents is also regarded as strong ties. Persons who travel in and out of Canada frequently are also evaluated to determine their obligations and nature of ties.
There are weaker ties that affect the taxes paid. They will only apply if the major or stronger ties are divided or can not be applied. The weaker ties include personal properties like furniture, vehicles and cloths, social ties like membership to a church, club, etc, economic ties including investments, credit cards and bank accounts. Personal ties that include non-dependent relations, voting rights, driving license and health care plans are also scrutinized.
Determining your resident status is the work of Canadian Revenue Authority. Their investigations involve several questions aimed at ascertaining the information they already have. There is a NR74 form to be filled that captures your status. It is the information you give that will determine your status.
Categories that are deemed to be resident and thus automatically taxed include government employees like those enlisted in the armed forces. Sojourners or people who have been in Canada for 183 or more days are also taxed as residents. The days may be broken or continuous. CRA will make a determination after evaluating all available facts from your stay.
It is common to confuse part-year residents with sojourners. To get a clearer picture, a person whose status was approved in April will have entered the taxation bracket by December. For those whose status is approved in September, taxation window opens before confirmation of their status. However, global taxation regime kicks in before residency taxation.
There are treaties signed with countries of origin to avoid double taxation. For an immigrant or investor, CRA will evaluate the treaties and communicate on the taxation regime to be used. You are however required to report it as taxable income. Deductions will be done by CRA before local laws apply. Passive income like dividends, royalties and interests is not exempt from taxes. However, there is a minimum that is charged to ensure that you retain as much as possible. Foreign tax credits will also reduce the chances of double taxation.
Some moving charges will be included in exempted amounts. Exemptions are not granted for a move beginning or ending in Canada. However, if the move will make you a Canadian resident, the cost will be deducted from your taxes. CRA applies rules based on personal situations. By engaging a taxation expert, you will get the right figure and avoid legal challenges or confrontation with the law.
There are taxation courts to determine how much you pay based on residential ties. Your ties may be regarded as either strong or weak. Ties categorized as strong include instances where one has rented or owns a dwelling place. Residency of spouses or dependents is also regarded as strong ties. Persons who travel in and out of Canada frequently are also evaluated to determine their obligations and nature of ties.
There are weaker ties that affect the taxes paid. They will only apply if the major or stronger ties are divided or can not be applied. The weaker ties include personal properties like furniture, vehicles and cloths, social ties like membership to a church, club, etc, economic ties including investments, credit cards and bank accounts. Personal ties that include non-dependent relations, voting rights, driving license and health care plans are also scrutinized.
Determining your resident status is the work of Canadian Revenue Authority. Their investigations involve several questions aimed at ascertaining the information they already have. There is a NR74 form to be filled that captures your status. It is the information you give that will determine your status.
Categories that are deemed to be resident and thus automatically taxed include government employees like those enlisted in the armed forces. Sojourners or people who have been in Canada for 183 or more days are also taxed as residents. The days may be broken or continuous. CRA will make a determination after evaluating all available facts from your stay.
It is common to confuse part-year residents with sojourners. To get a clearer picture, a person whose status was approved in April will have entered the taxation bracket by December. For those whose status is approved in September, taxation window opens before confirmation of their status. However, global taxation regime kicks in before residency taxation.
There are treaties signed with countries of origin to avoid double taxation. For an immigrant or investor, CRA will evaluate the treaties and communicate on the taxation regime to be used. You are however required to report it as taxable income. Deductions will be done by CRA before local laws apply. Passive income like dividends, royalties and interests is not exempt from taxes. However, there is a minimum that is charged to ensure that you retain as much as possible. Foreign tax credits will also reduce the chances of double taxation.
Some moving charges will be included in exempted amounts. Exemptions are not granted for a move beginning or ending in Canada. However, if the move will make you a Canadian resident, the cost will be deducted from your taxes. CRA applies rules based on personal situations. By engaging a taxation expert, you will get the right figure and avoid legal challenges or confrontation with the law.
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