Korean Job Discussion Forums

[goodfella]

hi. i had a quick and weird question. since we all get a g.s.t. cheque when we are back home in canada. i was wondering what did you guys and gals do as to that subject? i mean, did you have to inform the gov't back home or did you just keep receiving while not being there? coz im still
of canadian citizenship, and im over year only a year at a time not
living here constantly, with going back home and such. just wondering
if anyone had any imput?? thanks

[oneiros]

It's been a few years since I've paid taxes in Canada, so my memory is a bit hazy. As I seem to recall, g.s.t. rebates are calculated based on your income tax return of the previous year. As long as you filed your income tax return, you will keep receiving g.s.t. rebate cheques while you're here. I don't think it's necessary to let the government know that you are not residing in Canada from a legal standpoint.

[vdowd]

It may depend if you have claimed non-residence status. I did so last year when I filed my income tax return but was told by the interrnational tax office that I must return the GST cheques (received by my sister in Canada and thankfully not cashed) that I was not entitled to (as applicant for non-resident status) to the GST office in my province.

I sent theGST cheques back by registered mail and made a copy of all the documents and kept them in my personal files. In addition, I made copies and sent a letter (with copies) explaining the return to the GST office and included the same with all the information to the international tax office. Even then they delayed and queried for 6 months whether I had made the return to the GST office. You know how hard it is for two Federal Government office to share information! It takes forever for the information to get down the line and sometimes requires a kick-start from you.

They initiallly said I owed them $600 (estimate) dollars due to outstanding GST given to me. When the dust settled they owed me my $560 income tax refund (for the few months worked in Canada in 2002) because I had returned the GST and could prove it. YOU ARE ONLY ENTITLED TO GST IF YOU ARE RESIDING IN CANADA.

I just have to say that I think the few dollars that you would deposit from the GST cheques are not worth it. Don't cash them, return them and keep proof or they may be the fianl tie to make you responsible for the Canada tax on income earned in Korea. I much prefer the 5% tax rate here to the 25-30% tax rate in Canada that I would pay if I was deemed a Canadian resident.

It your choice - a few bucks in the bank or pay a shi t load of maoney to the Candian government when you file taxes as the law requires.

vdowd

[dominic]

if you declair non residency so u dont have to pay tax on ur world income, they will make u pay the gst checks back, so i wouldnt bother cashing them, they are going to nail u either way.

[vdowd]

Dominic I think we tied for that answer.
vdowd

[dominic]

almost tied on the same timing too. i wasnt as lucky as u were, i cashed them hoping they wouldnt have figured it out, but they did, it was only 450, but it would have been easier to just never have cashed them, i hope the original poster takes ur advice

[Ilsanman]

I am unable to claim non-residency, so I guess I will pay income tax next year. I will cash my GST cheques if they like it or not. If I pay the same income tax as all other Canadians I am entitled to GST rebate.

[oneiros]

And that's why you should never, ever listen to my advice on taxes. I hope we learned a lesson today here boys and girls.

[Juggertha]

I will not be declaing any income for the time I am here. I would not expect any GST for that time as well.

Some good advice here to not cash them if you getthem and dont think you qualify.

[sparkx]

[goodfella]

but it doesnt matter if you have income or not, you still get a g.s..t check
even if its 0$ income!!
what do u guys think?