CERB question
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2017
Location: Burlington, ON
Posts: 158
CERB question
I did a quick search and hadn't seen this one pop up, yet.
Now does this mean I had to be "residing" in Canada when I earn the income, or does it mean I need to reside in Canada when I'm claiming this benefit? It is unclear and uses past tense for the earnings, and present tense for the living. I called the CRA and they said I should be fine, but weren't 100% sure themselves.
I've earnt $4500 roughly but my UK earnings prior to moving here would top me up past the $5000 mark, so I've claimed for this 4 week period.
If anyone is super clued up on this and able to answer for certain, that would be appreciated.
Does the minimum income of $5,000 have to be earned in Canada?No.
The income does not have to be earned in Canada, but you need to reside in Canada.
The income does not have to be earned in Canada, but you need to reside in Canada.
I've earnt $4500 roughly but my UK earnings prior to moving here would top me up past the $5000 mark, so I've claimed for this 4 week period.
If anyone is super clued up on this and able to answer for certain, that would be appreciated.
Last edited by jimmynoshoes; Apr 16th 2020 at 8:07 pm.
#2
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Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Orton, Ontario
Posts: 2,032
Re: CERB question
I did a quick search and hadn't seen this one pop up, yet.
Now does this mean I had to be "residing" in Canada when I earn the income, or does it mean I need to reside in Canada when I'm claiming this benefit? It is unclear and uses past tense for the earnings, and present tense for the living. I called the CRA and they said I should be fine, but weren't 100% sure themselves.
I've earnt $4500 roughly but my UK earnings prior to moving here would top me up past the $5000 mark, so I've claimed for this 4 week period.
If anyone is super clued up on this and able to answer for certain, that would be appreciated.
Now does this mean I had to be "residing" in Canada when I earn the income, or does it mean I need to reside in Canada when I'm claiming this benefit? It is unclear and uses past tense for the earnings, and present tense for the living. I called the CRA and they said I should be fine, but weren't 100% sure themselves.
I've earnt $4500 roughly but my UK earnings prior to moving here would top me up past the $5000 mark, so I've claimed for this 4 week period.
If anyone is super clued up on this and able to answer for certain, that would be appreciated.
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 635
Re: CERB question
I think you have to be residing in Canada whilst earning, in other words tax resident at the time of earning. That’s my interpretation anyway.
#4
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: CERB question
This is from the FAQ section:
Does the minimum income of $5,000 have to be earned in Canada?
No.
The income does not have to be earned in Canada, but you need to reside in Canada.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/be...questions.html
Does the minimum income of $5,000 have to be earned in Canada?
No.
The income does not have to be earned in Canada, but you need to reside in Canada.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/be...questions.html
#5
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 635
Re: CERB question
It does leave a lot of people who have just moved in the lurch. There seem to be a lot of groups that haven’t been considered when putting this together. It’s kind of a mess and nigh on impossible to reach any officials for guidance.
#6
Re: CERB question
Is this free money or are you expected to pay it back, and if so, how and when? Genuine question, thanks.
#7
Re: CERB question
She has never earned $2,000 a month in her life and so it is a big pay increase for her. That is one of the downside to universal payments.
#8
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: CERB question
US gave out free money though with their stimulus check.
#9
Re: CERB question
It's probably quite an efficient way of doing it in terms of simplicity but it does throw up anomalies. Smaller scale but I got $350 on top of the usual HST credits but my income is unaffected. I sent it to the food bank.
#10
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2017
Location: Burlington, ON
Posts: 158
Re: CERB question
So I've finally managed to clarify with an agent who knew more about this.
So basically, if the foreign income is declared for tax purposes in Canada, then it can be used for the purposes of CERB income calculations. If the income is not declared under tax purposes, then it cannot be. Unfortunately, as we hadn't created enough residential ties to Canada at the time of earnings, I didn't need to declare this income here, so I'll need to repay the $2000. You don't need to be living in Canada, but you need to be a deemed or factual resident for the income to count.
However, if my boss pays me an advance this week, then I'm fine.
-----
In addition, once I'm back in May, I should earn enough to go over the $5000 mark, but still be under $1000 a month, in which case, I repay this $2000, put in a claim for the next period, and then backdate the other dates again and get the $2000 back that I repaid.
So basically, if the foreign income is declared for tax purposes in Canada, then it can be used for the purposes of CERB income calculations. If the income is not declared under tax purposes, then it cannot be. Unfortunately, as we hadn't created enough residential ties to Canada at the time of earnings, I didn't need to declare this income here, so I'll need to repay the $2000. You don't need to be living in Canada, but you need to be a deemed or factual resident for the income to count.
However, if my boss pays me an advance this week, then I'm fine.
-----
In addition, once I'm back in May, I should earn enough to go over the $5000 mark, but still be under $1000 a month, in which case, I repay this $2000, put in a claim for the next period, and then backdate the other dates again and get the $2000 back that I repaid.