Tuesday 26 April 2016

Tax Issues For Investors And Canadian Immigrants Simplified

By Stephanie Brown


Canada has a unique taxation system that is not anchored on citizenship. Rather, your obligations are pegged on worldwide income. Your decision to move into Canada should also including considerations on minimizing your tax burden to the bare minimum. Here are tax issues for investors and Canadian immigrants to consider according to experts.

Some people living away from Canada think that it has an incredible income earning system. Many will be disappointed upon landing and therefore leave the family there to search for work of money abroad. Leaving the family behind does not shield you from taxation obligations. It is the state in which you leave them and your own status abroad that will determine your obligations.

Taking up tax residence exposes you to greater obligations that might be difficult or strenuous to meet. You will have to declare all the income you earn regardless of your country of residence. Many people will hide what is earned away from Canada. You will still be exposed because revenue authorities allover the world are sharing information widely. You will therefore be traced which places you in a compromising situation. This might jeopardize your permanent residency.

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.

Establishing whether you are a tax resident of Canada is a good point to start. This label can be avoided by maintaining minimum ties with Canada or establishing stronger ties elsewhere. It calls for an evaluation of taxation obligations in both countries to establish the most favorable. Does shifting your obligations to another country affect your permanent resident status? The plain answer is no because the two issues are mutually exclusive.

The fact that residency and taxation are mutually exclusive issues means that you can take one and not the other. However, you will still need to minimize your exposure to taxation. The solution is to register an Immigration Trust. This guarantees a taxation holiday running for five years. Your obligations and benefits with the trust will be determined by the interaction between the laws governing the two countries.

Is permanent residency important? To answer this question, it is good to refer to the section of the law that says that 730 days of five years must be spent physically in Canada or on a tour around the world with a Canadian citizen as your spouse. Working for a Canadian company will also increase your chances of getting permanent residence.

Immigration reforms instituted a few years back have made it easy to live and even have a family without taking permanent residency. The multiple entry visa and super visa allow you to enter freely or live with the family for two years. It thus simplifies your interactions without having to take up permanent residency. You have the liberty to later move your interests to Canada and live with the family after completing your errands abroad.




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