Tax Issues For Investors And Canadian Immigrants

By Stephanie Brown


Taxation obligations in Canada are not determined by your citizenship status. Rather, the country has adopted a system where you are taxed based on your worldwide income. This demands that immigrants and investors minimize their burden as much as possible. This can be done by considering the tax issues for investors and Canadian immigrants.

While the economy of Canada is considerably stable and rewarding, it does not always offer the promises some people expect. Upon taking citizenship or residency, you may decide to return to your country of origin while you leave your family behind. This enters you into the bracket of residential obligations that have to be met. The family is already considered significantly residing in Canada.

Residency comes with obligations that prove to be a burden to many unsuspecting people. Contrary to many other jurisdictions, you are required to declare everything you earn allover the world. There is a temptation to hide some of the income from Canadian authorities. Unfortunately, with open information sharing allover the world, you will be caught. This has the potential of compromising your permanent resident status. It is in fact a criminal offense.

Failure to declare worldwide income is considered a crime and is worse if you are a resident. The rules that govern acquisition of permanent residence status and immigration are very tough. You run the risk of losing this privilege for failing to declare income. Revenue authorities institute audits on citizens who evade taxation. The solution is to search for as much information as possible regarding your obligations based on your unique status.

Your residency status will give an indication of your obligations. To minimize your exposure, it is advisable that you minimize your links with Canada. Between your country of investment and Canada, find the one that offers the best rates but do not fail to declare your income. Will such steps affect granting of permanent resident status? The answer is a straight no. Each of these issues is handled separately.

Plainly speaking, one can be a tax resident of Canada without being a permanent resident. The vice versa is also true. An immigration trust is the other way to find a solution. The trust grants a resident five years where their income and assets will be exempted from taxes. The details of this trust will depend on immigration and taxation laws governing your country of origin or operation.

When all is said and done, is chasing residency important? A clause that gave special status to workers employed by Canadian firms and spouses living or touring with Canadian citizens for 730 days in five years residency provides an answer. This clause is an easy and legal way to live and work in Canada without having dealing with tax burdens.

The introduction of the super visa and the multiple entry visa made it easy for spouses and families of immigrants or Canadian citizens to visit easily and reside in Canada for up to two straight years. This enables a person to have a family and easily visit them and still explore the option of settling there after making money elsewhere. This makes it easy to navigate taxation laws without losing permanent residency for you or your family.




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