DoyleLinda

Just about to do our first tax return. Been here since end of August 2011. We are here on a work permit - OH got LMO and work permit for automotive technician job and i have open work permit. We heard thru another source that there is a chance that we can claim a percentage of our moving costs here along with hotel stay on arrival, and initial set up costs. Does anyone know if this is true? Also in terms of a refund (if there is one) do you get a lump sum repayment or is it paid back to you throughout the year? We are living in Winnipeg and there are mixed stories and nobody has the same one. Just want to find out as much as we can before filing. We also were wondering if we can claim for our rent as we pay cash (which was purely because we had no chequeing account for a couple of months) and now its turned into a habit. We just give the landlord cash every month. Anybody in a similar situation? thanks.

Almost Canadian

You can only claim moving expenses if you moved from somewhere in Canada to somewhere else in Canada for the purposes of work (other criteria apply). The received wisdom is that you cannot claim for moving from a different country to Canada.

If you obtain a tax refund it is given to you in one lump sum (via cheque or direct deposit).

Novocastrian

In addition, it matters not a whit if you pay rent in cash or in some other form. It's not deductable. Sorry.

JonboyE

AC is right about the moving expenses.

Unless you are required by your contract of employment to use part of your home for business purposes then rent is a personal expense and cannot be claimed as a deduction for tax purposes.

DoyleLinda

Thanks for the info. So much for the rent. I had hoped it would be considered since it eats up all our bloody income lol. Thanks for the other info too. Best of luck.

conjonway

Also recommend getting receipts for those rent payments, if you're not already cash is always fishy.