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Hello,
I have spent the last 3 days trying to figure my tax requirement with no luck. I called CRA and the person was not sure, and my accountant seems clueless as well, I could really appreciate your input.
I arrived to Canada as an international student:
2012 - 2018: I was on a work visa as I work in the medical field, but I was also on a scholarship, and basically my income and tuition were paid fully by my government. I received deposits in my Canadian's bank account ( scholarship allowance) , and my country's bank account ( my salary as I was sent from a company for training ) during that time. I was under the impression that i did not need to file tax back then.
in 2018, I got my PR while still on my scholarship. I went to H&R to file for my tax that year, and they said that my income should be 0 as I am here on a scholarship, and did not receive any income from Canada since my money came from my government.
in 2019, I got a job in Canada, and now i am preparing to submit my tax.
I hired an accountant this time, and he notified me that I need to file for taxes from 2012- 2018 and I may owe me as well.
During 2012-2018, I stayed in a rented apartment, I was single, no children. I did have a Canadian bank account, a Canadian driving license and OHIP.
My scholarship was generous, and I was able to save a huge amount of it, and I had more than 100K saved in my account after 5 years on that scholarship. My accountant said that I owe money because its more than 100K, even though I was on a scholarship.
I really will appreciate it your input and guidance
Thank you
It appears that you became a resident of Canada when you moved to Canada in 2012 on a work-visa. This is because you remained in Canada full-time from 2012 to present, and received your PR card. In the past, I have encountered a similar situation as yours, where the CRA opined that the individual became a tax resident of Canada on the date of his arrival to Canada (he also had a work-visa), because subsequent facts proved that his intention at the time he moved to Canada was to remain in Canada permanently. He also applied for his PR card and received it. Also, please see this link regarding tax residency of students studying in Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/international-students-studying-canada.html
As a result, you should file a tax return for the 2012 to 2019 tax years. Your scholarship may be taxable in Canada. However, certain exemptions are available, but to make a proper assessment, I need more information from you.