Summary Canadian Tax Advice For Non-Resident Investors

By Gregory Roberts


Globally, revenue authorities are tasked with collecting taxes from people residing in particular countries. However, Canada has an authority tasked with collecting taxes from non-residents depending on particular circumstances. Failure to pay these taxes will lead to penalties that may include a jail term. It is therefore important to heed to Canadian tax advice for non-resident investors as given by professionals.

Clarify all details about your residency. Residents are not necessarily those staying in Canada. Persons with ties like businesses, profession, financial, etc are regarded as residents and thus have an obligation to pay taxes. It is by understanding and clarifying your status that you know how much you are supposed to pay and when. Canada has very favorable regulations and provisions that favor non-residents with the aim of eliminating the possibility of double taxation.

If you routinely live in another country where your status is resident, you most likely will be regarded as a non-resident. This puts you in a bracket of persons with obligations because they have strong or weak ties with Canadians. In case you own a home in Canada, have dependents or people under common law in Canada, you are required to pay taxes. If your spouse lives in Canada, you may be eligible to pay taxes especially if you visit the country regularly.

Your status may also be affected by weak ties that are seemingly not binding. The authority considers the ties on individual bases since they are regarded as weak and can only be used where the strong ones do not apply. The ties include membership to social amenities like sport clubs and churches, owning a property like a car and possession of documents like health insurance card, passport or driving license.

You are required to pay taxes on all monies emanating from salaries or investments in Canada. In most cases, employers will deduct and remit the money directly. Your responsibility will be to clarify the status to your employer, ensure that the right amounts are deducted and file returns. The taxation percentage for most foreigners is 25 percent unless there are special circumstances. It helps to consult an expert in order to avoid legal battles with CRA over non-remittance of taxes.

There is a provision for elective filing of returns. It mainly affects persons whose countries of residency have treaties with Canada. The provision is regarded as Part xiii and the amounts deducted are non-refundable. Some of the income sources that must be taxed include pension, timber royalties, rental income, etc.

Employees of the government of Canada working for organizations or embassies are considered factual or deemed residents. It is the residential ties that will determine whether you are factual or deemed. Members of the armed forces with a house yet is stationed overseas may be regarded as factual residents. A fellow soldier who sold his house will be a deemed resident. The two status define your obligation.

American citizens living or working in Canada are required to pay taxes on all monies coming from their investments or professional engagements. The two governments have signed treaties to prevent double taxation. Waivers are provided for withheld taxes depending on individual circumstance. Even Canadians working for American companies in US have to make declarations and pay specific taxes.




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