I arrived and started a job in Ontario on November 15th 2011 and my family are still in the UK until later this year.

I'm guessing I need to complete a tax return for that short period (I was going to use TurboTax online)

Anyway, my question is will I be able to reclaim the tax for any amount that was taken out of my bi-weekly pay for the last 2 weeks in November and in December due to the total amount earned was below a certain amount/threshhold

Probably, you wont see any EI or CPP back, but you likely heavily overpaid any income tax deducted at source.

There are cheaper options than turbotax. Id consider just doing a paper return myself as you wont be able to efile as a first time reporter anyway.

I'm cr@p at tax and anything related that way so thought doing it with turbotax or electronically would make it easier for me. Plus I'll need to do them for future years.

If I print out this time for this short one could I Efile for 2012 ?

Yup.

The only tricky thing with the first return is the pro rating of the allowances etc to take the shorter time into account.

No problem using a software package I suppose, but TT is one of the pricier ones.

Thanks. I'll have a quick Google / search of the forums for other recommendations on the software to use.

I was hoping the software would give me a pro-rata figure - I'm guessing not !

Cheers

It should prorate OK. The package I use does.

There was a recent thread on tax software...
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...t=tax+software

Perfect - thanks. Few to have a look at there and make a decision.

If I was living in a B&B for the 6 weeks last year (and still am!) can that be put against taxes in anyway ?

Doubtful... JonBoyE is the tax guy though...

I doubt you're permitted to deduct accommodation costs, even in the UK.

Only if staying in the B&B was a condition of Animal's employment contract and the employer certifies this to be the case.

It wasn't any specific condition from the employer. It was just the cheapest way for me whilst still paying for the mortgage back in the UK and living here until the family arrive in June/July.

No problems. Hopefully I'll be able to get a few $'s back for the 6 weeks in 2011 to afford them a trip here at Easter

Hi


I think that you will find that you can't efile your first tax return in Canada, it has to be paper based.

Is there an echo in here...