Cdn non resident/student tax question

usagirl · Post by **usagirl** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 12:48 am

Hi!

I'm a Canadian who has been living out of Canada since 2001. I am not earning any income as I am currently completely my degree through distance education from a Cdn university.

I am unsure if I am supposed to be paying any kind of taxes. Am I still supposed to file tax returns? If I have to file tax returns for earlier than the previous year, is that possible?

Secondly, is there any particular procedure to declare yourself as a non resident Canadian? I own no assets in Canada.

I would appreciate any advice to my queries! Thank you!

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 1:42 am

Generally, since you ahve no income, you are not required to file a tax return, neither in Canada, nor US.

To determine what your tax residency status is, however, since you say you are a student, living in US, not a student at a US school, I would have to know on what immigration status you are in the states on.

Those leaving canada, typically file a 'departure' return in the year they leve Canada, following the"emigrants' guide for that year.

Again, if you had no assets, and no income in 2001, you are fine.

usagirl · Post by **usagirl** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 11:12 am

Thanks for your reply Nelsona. I am living in the US on an H4 visa (married to an H1 visa holder). I wonder if that changes anything?

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 5:12 pm

So, you should be filing a US tax return joint with your husband, even if you have no income, as this will reduce his US taxes.

You are a US tax resident, so have nothing to report in Canada, unless you are getting grant money, which would need to be reported in both countries.