Drthorne

Hi All,

Looking for a little advice. We moved to Canada in Jan 2017 (Visa's started in Nov 2016) and I am wondering if we have messed up regarding out Tax return. As part of my re-location package we had a third party file out tax returns for the last two years, however it would appear that despite asking for my wife's information no return was filed for her.

My wife had no Canadian Income in 2016 or 2017 as she was a stay at home Mum but I am wondering what issues we have caused from not returning anything. Can this be resolved by filling the relevant paper work retrospectively? We are in the process of claiming child tax benefit (now we are eligible) so assuming this will be effected.

Regards

BristolUK

We experienced something similar. Canada Revenue actually said they didn't need a return from me (the Brit awaiting PR and initially on visitor status and then no status but allowed to stay) just a statement of my income (nil) for my wife's (the Canadian) tax returns.

Then the child benefit she was receiving was royally messed up, suspended, put back into payment and suspended again, paid again and then similar for GST refunds. They decided they did want returns for me after all and they were done retrospectively after I had to apply for a SIN that I wouldn't get but the refusal was needed for a temporary SIN.

It happened to quite a few of us. There are a couple of threads somewhere.

Drthorne

Thanks that helps.

We have our SIN numbers but simply (wrongly) assumed our accountants had done the submission for my wife (even though it was 0). Is it just best to call them to explain the situation. Note we are living in BC (not sure if this makes any difference). Also making the assumption we won't get a fine or anything given no tax was owed.

scilly

Your wife really should file her own tax return, even if she is a stay-at-home mother.

It gets her in the system because she might well return to work at a later period.

I've filed my own tax return since we arrived in BC in late August 1968 although I didn't start work until May 1969 ............ ie, I earned no money in Canada for the year ending December 1968.

In fact, the tax returns used to be easy enough that I could do them for both of us, and I'm no whiz at such things (science background!). I did them until we went on sabbatical in mid-1975-mid-1976, when we handed everything over to an accountant who was well known to us.

Drthorne

Thank you. I guess my key question is, can my wife fill out her 2017 tax return retrospectively and will be any penalty? She got a job this year so will be filling one out for the 2018 tax year.

Regards

Twitcher1958

BristolUK

Should be much easier then.
Yes, that sounds right. I have read many a time that if you don't have enough income to pay tax you don't actually need to complete a return (how anyone knows that is another matter) it's just that you wouldn't get child benefit, GST refunds and the like.
Just use one of the on line Tax thingies - TurboTax, SimpleTax etc. Very simple. The basic free ones are more than adequate, especially for nil income.

Forgot to mention....the tax return will ask for spouse's income. So you'll need access to your return to be able to enter that bit.

SambaDeAmigo

CRA only cares if you owe them money.

Drthorne

Thanks all that really helps. She is going to speak to the CRA tomorrow to clarify. I am hopeful that she can submit here 2017 tax return to at least get her registered on the system thus allowing for our Child Benifit claim to be processed.

Aviator

Even if you do owe money, better to go to them than they come for you!

Collie

Not sure what your status is, but if if you might ever plan on becoming citizens then it's a good idea to get yourselves in the CRA system ab initio. The citizenship application asks whether you've been paying taxes, and any gaps might cause confusion...