Summary Canadian Tax Advice For Non-Resident Investors

By Gregory Roberts


Revenue authorities are tasked with collecting taxes on behalf of governments allover the world. There are provisions dictating the persons to be taxed and the percentages regardless of citizenship. Canada has a unique system where non-residents with ties and interests have obligations to pay certain taxes. Experts have given Canadian tax advice for non-resident investors to make filing easier and help them avoid conflicts with the law.

Be clear on your residency. In case you are considered a citizen of another country yet you have business, financial, professional, etc ties with Canada, you will be required to pay taxes. Unless you have understood your status, it will be impossible to meet your obligations. There are generous residential ties provisions and reasonable regulations for non-residents to avoid double taxation.

If you routinely live in another country where your status is resident, you most likely will be regarded as a non-resident. This puts you in a bracket of persons with obligations because they have strong or weak ties with Canadians. In case you own a home in Canada, have dependents or people under common law in Canada, you are required to pay taxes. If your spouse lives in Canada, you may be eligible to pay taxes especially if you visit the country regularly.

There are weak ties that are only considered if the strong ones are inapplicable. These ties are considered individually. Some of the most common ties include possession of documents like driving license, health insurance card and Canadian passport. Being a member of a religious organization like a church or joining a sports club will affect your residency status. These ties may be regarded as weak but they affect your obligation.

All income that comes from investments in Canada will definitely be taxed. For employees, the taxes are remitted by the employer. Your duty remains to file returns as well as ensure that the employer or accountant makes appropriate deductions. Most foreigners are taxed 25 percent of their earnings depending on other personal details. By consulting an expert, you will be at a better position to meet your legal obligations.

There is a provision for elective filing of returns. It mainly affects persons whose countries of residency have treaties with Canada. The provision is regarded as Part xiii and the amounts deducted are non-refundable. Some of the income sources that must be taxed include pension, timber royalties, rental income, etc.

Employees of the government working within or outside Canada must pay requisite taxes. Their status is either factual or deemed residency, each with specific obligations. For example two solders employed by the government and living abroad have different obligations if one has a house in Canada while the other sold his before departing on mission.

For an American citizen working in Canada, your obligations are on income coming from work or investment in Canada. This is because of a treaty signed with the American government. There is a provision for waiver of withheld taxes under certain circumstances. Canadians employed by American companies are also affected by the treaty especially if they live in America.




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