[PSRList] Quick question for experienced sponsors re taxation

[abdiqafar at gmail.com]

The following information applies only for the first tax year that you are a new resident of Canada for income tax purposes. After your first tax year in Canada, you are no longer considered a newcomer for income tax purposes.

Are you a newcomer to Canada?
You become a resident of Canada for income tax purposes when you establish significant residential ties in Canada. You usually establish these ties on the date you arrive in Canada.

Newcomers to Canada who have established residential ties with Canada may be:

protected persons within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
people who have applied for or received permanent resident status from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; or
people who have received "approval-in-principle" from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to stay in Canada.
If you were a resident of Canada in an earlier year, and you are now a non-resident, you will be considered a resident of Canada for income tax purposes when you move back to Canada and re-establish your residential ties.

As a newcomer to Canada, you will need a social insurance number (SIN).For more information, visit Service Canada.

Do you have to file a tax return?
As a resident of Canada for income tax purposes for part or all of a tax year (January 1 to December 31), you must file a tax return if you:

have to pay tax; or
want to claim a refund.
Even if you have not received income in the year, you have to file a tax return so that the Canada Revenue Agency can determine if you are eligible for:

the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit;
the Canada child tax benefit payments; and
payments from certain related provincial or territorial programs.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 19, 2016, at 8:28 AM, Ana Luz Martinez <analuz at kwmc-on.com> wrote:
> 
> Hello Paulina:
> According to my understanding all newcomers who arrived in 2015 by December 30th should file income tax. 
>  Families with children are eligible to apply  for the Canada Tax Benefit as soon they arrive in Canada.  They will ask to declare their income in the last 3 years.   
> The income that they  are receiving as living expenses is the one that the refugees would use for purpose of income tax. 
> I hope that this information would help. 
> Have a nice day.
> 
>> On Fri, Feb 19, 2016 at 10:11 AM, Paulina Wyrzykowski <PaulinaWy at westnh.org> wrote:
>> Do refugee families coming through the PSR have to pay income tax on their living allowance? And conversely, do they qualify for tax credits in their first year if they are low income (as most of them would be)?
>> 
>> Any insights are appreciated - I'm having trouble finding this info in any of the materials.
>> Paulina
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Paulina Wyrzykowski
>> Manager, Family & Newcomer Programs
>> West Neighbourhood House
>> 
>> Tel:416-536-1234 Ext. 412
>> Email:paulinawy at westnh.org
>> 
>> [cid:image51e24b.PNG at d8c30c57.4bbbcd29]<http://www.westnh.org>
>> 1497 Queen St. W., #103
>> Toronto Ontario
>> M6R 1A3
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> West Neighbourhood House works with the community
>> to promote personal and social change.
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> Ana Luz Martinez 
> Settlement Programs Coordinator 
> K-W Multicultural Centre 
> 102 King Street West
> Kitchener, ON N2G 1A6
> 519-745 2531 ext. 130 
> analuz at kwmc-on.com
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