tax back living outside Canada

[EstellePuet]

Hi,

I lived and worked in Canada from January 01 2021 until August 11 2021. Afterwards I moved back to Germany and I'm Currently living in France. Can I still use turbotax? And if yes, how can I fill out the forms?

Thanks for your help!

[Phoebe Nguyen]

We're happy to guide you. Yes, whether you're residing inside Canada or not, for any income earned during your course of being resident in that particular tax year, you should file your return to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). You will need to use our TurboTax Online version to do this. You will then need to print your return as you will not be eligible to use our Netfile service. You will be mailing your return to the address or can choose to Fax it to the number indicated.

Winnipeg Tax Centre
Post Office Box 14001,
Station Main
Winnipeg MB  R3C 3M3
Canada
Fax: 204-984-5164

Non-residency criteria

A person is considered a non-resident of Canada (for Canadian income tax purposes) if they:

• Had no residential ties to Canada and lived outside Canada all year, and weren't a deemed resident, OR 
• Had no residential ties to Canada and they stayed in Canada for less than 183 days, OR 
• Were deemed not to be resident in Canada under the Income Tax Act because of the provisions of a tax treaty Canada has with another country

Where a person's residency status is unclear, they can request an opinion from the CRA by using:

•  Form NR74, Determination of Residency Status (Entering Canada)
•  Form NR73, Determination of Residency Status (Leaving Canada)

As per CRA: If you left Canada on a temporary basis and you meet any of the following, you'll continue to file your income tax returns;

• report all income you receive from sources inside and outside Canada for the year and claim all deductions that apply to you
• claim all federal and provincial or territorial non-refundable tax credits that apply to you
• pay federal tax and provincial or territorial tax for the province or territory where you keep residential ties
• claim any federal and provincial or territorial refundable tax credits that apply to you
• be eligible for the GST/HST credit (goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax), and Canada child benefit.

To learn more, see the article on Factual Residents by CRA.

However, if you've decided to leave Canada permanently, you're considered a non-resident but you can still file your taxes if:

• You owe tax
• You want to receive a refund because you paid too much tax in the tax year.

See the full guidelines on Leaving Canada as per the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). 

Thank you for choosing TurboTax.