An Introduction To Tax Issues For Investors And Canadian Immigrants

By Scott Wallace


When moving to a new nation either for investment purposes or due to permanent immigration, one of the key challenges that you are bound to experience is getting a grasp of the local tax laws. All countries have their own rules, so fitting in may take some time and a bit of research. The insights below cover common tax issues for investors and Canadian immigrants and may help you understand the local laws better.

Under the laws of Canada, one becomes liable to pay tax depending on his immigration status. It is therefore important to know what your official status in the country is. If you have already received your residency papers and are doing business in the country, you need to register with the tax authorities so as to avoid legal complications.

In general, the date that you become mandated to start paying tax is the day the government officially recognizes your residency status in Canada. This can happen as soon as you land at the airport or it may take years if you have issues with the immigration department. Other things that the government looks at include property ownership within the country or if you are married to a Canadian.

Once your tax residency is established, you will be required to pay your taxes and file returns every year. The law requires duly registered residents to pay levies on income generated worldwide. This means if you have income coming in from a business you own overseas, that income is considered taxable. Canadians residing overseas are however subjected to taxation only for the income they make within the country.

One aspect that many immigrants overlook as they relocate is doing a tally of the difference between their original and new levy rates. Since your overseas income is regarded as taxable, do not be surprised when you see a bigger or lower deduction on your financials upon moving. Many immigrants who overlook such aspects often find themselves inconvenienced and in regret once they find out about heftier deductions the hard way. Be careful enough to research about it beforehand.

Canada recognizes income as coming from many sources, just as other countries do. It may be categorized as coming from employment or from royalties and dividends generated through investments. For the latter, the government taxes both local and overseas businesses as long as you are in the country. No matter where your income comes from, ensure you prepare adequately for taxation.

In case you have been transferred by your employer to the country, make sure you avoid being taxed excessively. The date your employer posts you matters a lot as the government will use it to determine the amount that you ought to pay. Ensure your travel log and employment letters indicate when you got posted in detail.

Before you start paying up, ensure you get a tax identification number. Without it, you may be deemed to have evaded tax in future investigations. Remember all returns must be filed by the end of April every year.




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