Bellanova

Hi all
We live in Nova Scotia. My husband works in Alberta, he travels back and forth for work until we move out there in the summer.
When we come to do our taxes where does he do his, there or here in NS? Theres conflicting advice. Some people say that because the family is still here NS is classed as his home therefore he does them here in NS and other people say that he doesn't have to do them here in NS he can do them out there in Alberta. I'm sure there are lots of people out there that travel back and forth, any advice would be great, thanks in advance

ultrarunner

Do you want the straight and blunt answer?

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) doesn't care where you file from to be honest.....you can file from the moon if you want, and they've made it easy for you by allowing E-File (which means an astronaut can file from space providing they have internet connection)

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/t1gtrdy/menu-eng.html

All CRA is concerned about primarily is that you declare your income completely, and if you have kids....claim the dependents and all that

You can opt to have any refund paid into your bank directly, or have a cheque sent to an address you provide. By now you should have your online profile setup (?), and be able to access it to change your profile info

They also send you a code you need to file your taxes, so you see it doesn't matter where you file from.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/t.../menu-eng.html

To give you an example...in the Ottawa / Gatineau (ex Hull) area, there are people that live on either side, and work on either side. point in case...a person works close to parliament in Ottawa (Ontario), and lives literally 5mins down the street in Gatineau (Quebec)...Just file online under your name and S.I.N (the most important things in the grand scheme of things)

Bellanova

Thanks for the info I'll dig a little deeper

ultrarunner

You've got your work cut out for ya.

Simon Legree

It matters where you claim is your tax domicile. The Provincial tax rates are different. His tax return asks where he normally reside which in your case would be Nova Scotia. When he completes his return he will pay his provincial tax slice to NS even though he commutes to Alberta or wherever to work. When and if you relocate to Alberta that will be your domicile.

montreal mike

yes this is the correct answer

provincial tax jurisdictions do count

Aviator

So much for the straight answer. I guess the ban is over.

Contrary to what was stated a few post up, CRA do care where you reside and where you pay taxes. As Simon stated, your province of factual residence is where you would be paying the provincial taxes to, regardless of where one works.
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/t.../menu-eng.html

Taxes can be filed from anywhere, however the information provided is relevent to the province of residence. It is pretty straightforward.

ultrarunner

Yes the ban is over......the OP didn't say anything about "provincial tax". Again CRA cares about you filing your taxes period

Federal jurisdiction trumps provincial and that is all that matters

JAJ

CRA cares that you declare your province of residence correctly. And the Nova Scotia Finance & Treasury Board also cares, if someone is NS resident.

If a person has a Nova Scotia driving licence, a Nova Scotia healthcare card, and maintains a home in Nova Scotia it would be strongly recommended to assume NS as province of residence unless there is strong evidence/information to suggest that another province should be declared instead.


If they live in Quebec then they have to do their provincial return separately. It is not administered by CRA. And if they don't they will have an issue with Revenu Quebec.

Simon Legree

It isn't "all that matters".
I'd be interested to see how, under the circumstances which the original question was posed, you would file your income tax return without the Provincial Tax bit. It is an integral part of any normal person's return so one would assume that the provincial bit matters. But then you don't appear to be a normal person !

Aviator

It is really not good to give advice that people may rely on when you have no idea what you're talking about.

ultrarunner

The question / post was answered accordingly...I don't see adding anything to this...at least my added CRA link will better help the person.

Your next beef please?

Bellanova

He does hold an NS Health Card, but not DL. He does maintain a home here too, but he also pays for rent out there too.

Aviator

If main home and family are in NS, factual residence would seem to be NS.

Aviator

But incorrectly.