Hi,

I'm from the UK and worked in Canada for 5 months last year (May - September), I was under the impression that I would be eligible to claim back a portion of the tax I paid - does anyone else here from the UK (or Canada) have experience with that and would be able to suggest what I have to do?

Thanks,

Matt

If you're back in the UK and working you will need to call your tax office and send in all your forms noting how much you paid to the Canadian government, plus your earnings and tax in the UK. They'll work out if you're owed any money back.

I did mine in 2007 I think...sent in my docs to the canadian govt they said I owed them around $800 which I paid then had to send all the info to the UK tax office and they refunded me around 500 pounds so I think I came out pretty even in the end. Was annoying having to stump up the original $800 though.

You need to file a Canadian tax return. You can download one here and mail it to :

International Tax Services
102A - 2204 Walkley Road
Ottawa ON K1A 1A8

Thanks, but arghh! That is the most complicated, link-laden, web-site I have every seen! I'm really not sure if I have the time to do this, is it compulsory? If it is, can I get someone else to do it for me?

LMAO....yep you can get someone else to help. Try H&R Block

http://www.hrblock.ca/

I'm getting someone to do mine this year... I HATE filling in tax forms.

I worked from May to September in Toronto and then returned to the UK (full-time student) so I have no UK-earnings from that tax year. Did you fill out the forms JonBoyE put in the link?

Cheers.

Ah, brilliant! lol I think that might be the way to go for me.

Yup I had to do it twice once in Canada when I was out here on the Student bunac so got lots of money back I could keep and then because I'd crossed over years and started working full time in the UK I had to do it again...thus having to stump up loadsa cash (well loads to me at the time)

Remember the tax year here is Jan to December so if you didn't work jan - May 2008 and then didn't work September to December 2008 you don't have any other earnings to add so it should be relatively simple and I doubt you'll have to involve the UK tax office. The forms do give you brain ache though...good luck!

Thanks, I didn't have any 2008 UK earnings, so that is good news (in this case!). Is the form I need to fill out this one:

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/5013-r/5013-r-08e.pdf

ergh...makes me fill ill looking at it ;-)

Yeah looks right to me, do you already have your T4 Slip? You'll need to wait for that before you can fill out the form.

Not yet, what sort of date did you get yours?

I think they generally come out in Feb...that's when I'm getting mine anyway. I'd give your employer a nudge then if they haven't gotten it to you by the end of the month.

Cool thanks, you've been a huge help, it's much appreciated!

Ahem. Cough, cough.

Whattttt.....?