Non Resident Tax Returns in Canada
If you live outside Canada but earn rent, sell property, or receive other Canadian source income, you may have a Canadian filing obligation. We prepare and file your non resident tax return Canada wide, every return prepared and filed by a CPA and ready to stand up to CRA review.
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Are you a non resident for Canadian tax?
For Canadian tax purposes, you are generally a non resident if you live in another country and do not have significant residential ties to Canada, such as a home, a spouse, or dependants here. Non residents are taxed only on certain Canadian source income, not on worldwide income. Common situations include owning a rental property in Canada, selling Canadian real estate, holding Canadian investments, or earning a Canadian pension after moving abroad. If any of that sounds like you, a return may be required, and we can confirm exactly where you stand.
Canadian income that we handle for non residents
Canadian rental income
Rent from real property in Canada, reported correctly so you pay tax on the right amount.
Selling Canadian property
Reporting and clearance when you sell Canadian real estate as a non resident.
Investment income
Interest, dividends, and royalties from Canadian sources paid to non residents.
Pension and other income
Canadian pensions and similar payments received after you move abroad.
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Part XIII withholding and the elections you can make
Part XIII withholding tax
Many kinds of Canadian source income paid to non residents, including rent, dividends, and certain royalties, are subject to Part XIII withholding tax. The common rate is 25 percent of the gross amount, though a tax treaty between Canada and your country of residence may reduce it.
The section 216 election for rental income
If you receive rent from Canadian real property, you can elect under section 216 to be taxed on your net rental income, after expenses, rather than 25 percent of the gross. For many landlords this lowers the tax owed and can recover tax that was withheld during the year.
The section 217 election
For certain other Canadian source income, such as some pensions, a section 217 election lets you file a Canadian return and be taxed at the same rates as a resident. When that produces a lower result, you may recover part or all of the tax that was withheld.
Prepared and filed by a CPA
We work out whether an election helps you, then prepare and file the right return. Every return is prepared and filed by a CPA and built to stand up to CRA review. See all our tax services.
Sources, Canada Revenue Agency: Electing under section 216 and Electing under section 217.
From first call to filed return
Confirm your status
We review your ties to Canada and your income to confirm whether you are a non resident and what needs to be filed.
Choose the right path
We check whether a section 216 or section 217 election helps you, and we manage the forms and approvals that go with it.
Prepare and file
Your return is prepared and filed by a CPA, on time and ready to stand up to CRA review, with clear answers along the way.
Selling a Canadian property as a non resident comes with its own reporting and clearance steps before and after the sale. We coordinate those with your return so nothing is missed. Pair this with our personal tax returns if you also have Canadian residency periods to file.
Not sure if you need to file in Canada?
Book a free consultation. We will confirm your status, explain Part XIII and your election options, and tell you exactly what it takes to file your return right.
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