Hi all,

Been a while since I've been on here. Hope you're all well. I tried to browse a couple of months ago but my laptop antivirus seemed to have taken a dislike to this website!

Anyway, I came to Canada on an IEC visa in Feb and now, due to various reasons, I am heading home mid November. I was just wondering if there are any forms I have to complete before I leave, like tax returns, my SIN number? Also unsure of what to do with my bank account, It is probably best to keep it open incase I come back.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Jennika

Speaking from when I left the first time (I came back later):

SIN: No forms here. Your SIN will expire, which is fine. If you ever come back they will reactivate it.

TAXES: Make sure all your old employers have your contact information in the UK including an address so they can send you your T4s. You will be expected to do your taxes as normal. The tax forms have the necessary places to indicate you are out of the country. I used ufile.ca for the tax return following my departure and it was all fine. I encourage you to do these on time and promptly when you get all your T4s so you have no trouble in future.
EDIT: Also, again for your ease, keep your employer's information written down somewhere and stay in touch with old managers etc.

BANK ACCOUNT: Close it. Can be done in branch. Pay your bills off beforehand of course and make sure there are no outstanding cheques. You can get another if you come back and you don't want to be paying fees.
Further hint: If you might come back in future, when you get home, open an HSBC UK account as you can then use that banking history with HSBC Canada if you ever return, I did and it was great.

There are no other forms to complete etc provided you've closed all your accounts etc. For most 1 year folks, you won't have things like a credit card account or phone account, but contact those companies ahead of time if you do. It might be a good idea to keep copies your airline tickets etc just to prove you left the country before your IEC visa ran out etc (but there are lots of ways to do that so don't stress too much about it).

I recall there is a specific CRA form that has to be completed with you are severing all residential ties. Have a read of the following http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts.../lvng-eng.html

We left and did nothing. We came back and nothing happened. Dont worry, just go home.