Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dragonfly123]

Hi Everyone,

I know that this has been probably addressed on here ad nauseum but I can not find any postings when I use the search engine on here. (It's probably me, I know.) That being the case, I decided to post on here because I know there are a lot of informed and helpful people on here.

I lived abroad for five years working for three years in Korea. I paid taxes in that respective country, Korea, but never filed my taxes in Canada. Now, I have returned back to Canada and want to file for those three years I worked in Korea and I want to do it as a NON-RESIDENT (to avoid paying Canadian taxes). My concern/fear is that Revenue Canada's decision of who is a non-resident is quite arbitrary. For the record, I had no possessions in my name - canceled my RRSP, no properties, cars, canceled my gym memberships. I did have a Canadian joint bank account with a family member and a Canadian credit card (had two until I paid off the debt) and obviously a Canadian passport. My health card and driver's license expired while I was gone. I never used my OHIP during that time and of course, had health insurance in Korea. I want to be secure that I will be deemed a non-resident for those years (and not pay taxes).

So,if anyone has been in the same position (I imagine that anyone who returned to Canada or will return to Canada will be exactly in the same position) and can tell me what they did or who they went to see (an accountant who has experience with this specific circumstance), I would be greatly appreciative!

One more note. My first year in Korea, my employer stole my taxes. I phoned the National Tax Service and they had no idea of who I was. Would REvenue Canada have any way of knowing that I worked in Korea that first year as well?

Thanks to all who help me because as tax deadline approaches, I am stressed out about what to do!