Canada GST Cheque

[thursdayschild 0]

I had no idea about this, but it does make sense. Are there any other things that we need to change residency with when we move?

[SapphireDreams 71]

The individual wasn't eligible to receive GST, CTC or anything else during the time they entered the US on their K1 and now. No, it probably won't make much difference in the end, but honesty is always the best policy.

I would think that if the Canadian is going to abandon the K1/AOS process and move back, without ever having truly become a permanent resident and was out of Canada for less than 6 months, they could just be deemed a visitor in the US for that period and technically still qualify. I'm not saying I'm right, but if someone files their taxes in Canada for 2011 and doesn't file an exit return because they've moved back to Canada at the beginning of 2012, then technically they didn't really leave and were just visiting the US on the K1 visa.

I could be wrong, but on paper, for the purposes of the GST cheques, how would Canada ever know someone left Canada for 3-4 months intending to live in the US and then came back? They really wouldn't. It's our exit return taxes that truly prove we've left the country and that is why is takes so long for them to find out that they shouldn't be sending the checks anymore right? Or, if they knew that someone was out of the country for say 4 months, but then moved back... well then they might still qualify for the rest of the year since they are a resident again.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I would think that if the Canadian is going to abandon the K1/AOS process and move back, without ever having truly become a permanent resident and was out of Canada for less than 6 months, they could just be deemed a visitor in the US for that period and technically still qualify. I'm not saying I'm right, but if someone files their taxes in Canada for 2011 and doesn't file an exit return because they've moved back to Canada at the beginning of 2012, then technically they didn't really leave and were just visiting the US on the K1 visa.

I could be wrong, but on paper, for the purposes of the GST cheques, how would Canada ever know someone left Canada for 3-4 months intending to live in the US and then came back? They really wouldn't. It's our exit return taxes that truly prove we've left the country and that is why is takes so long for them to find out that they shouldn't be sending the checks anymore right? Or, if they knew that someone was out of the country for say 4 months, but then moved back... well then they might still qualify for the rest of the year since they are a resident again.

True, you're probably right, there hasn;t been enough time to establish anything.....I guess I get tired of folks here who are constantly looking for a way around the rules. I mean cripes, isn't anyone just honest anymore, you know?

[C <3 C 1]

I guess I'm confused, the taxes run for CTC from July to July from the prior year. So the month that you leave you are no longer eligible for this or any other tax credit I paid into while I was a resident?? Just curious I would hate to end up owing a chunk of money, after I moved!

[pocheros 101]

You are not eligible for most tax credits if they are dated after the day you POE. For example, I POEd on September 9th. If they mailed me a GST credit dated September 5th I could deposit it.

I believe the child tax credit is slightly different from the other ones and you may still be eligible for it after you move but I'm not sure. Hopefully someone else can clear that up.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I guess I'm confused, the taxes run for CTC from July to July from the prior year. So the month that you leave you are no longer eligible for this or any other tax credit I paid into while I was a resident?? Just curious I would hate to end up owing a chunk of money, after I moved!

Well you didn't 'pay into it' really...They are administering them from July to June most likely because they're basing it on the previous tax year. Most folks have filed their taxes by end of June so they can do their fancy calculations based on the previous year's income.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Several posts containing personal information have been removed at the OP's request. Several posts answering or quoting the removed posts have also been removed as the situation is no longer on view.

[canada_socks 97]

I just got off the phone with the CRA. Apparently the GST/HST line cannot change your residency- for that you have to contact the international office at 1-800-267-5177. Have your social insurance number ready.

They moved the international tax office from Quebec to Ottawa: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/cntct/international-eng.html

Here is the new address, and the one the lady told me to mail my cheques back to:

International Tax Services Office

Post Office Box 9769, Station T

Ottawa ON K1G 3Y4

CANADA

I hope talking to that lady helped. She had a thick accent so I had some trouble understanding her :S I think she said they would update my information and that I should receive a letter in a few weeks stating that I am no longer eligible for the credits. Sigh... let's hope it works.

Going through my mail I found something from the CRA saying that I was no longer eligible for the Ontario sales tax credit, which makes sense because I called the provincial line so it wouldn't affect the GST credit. So I urge anyone who hasn't called the international office yet to do so.

I finally got through! The guy told me the address you posted to mail my tax return, but gave me a totally different address for sending my cheques back to. He told me it was Canada Revenue Agency, Ottawa Technology Centre, Ottawa ON K1A 1B1. What is the Ottawa Technology Centre????

[pocheros 101]

I finally got through! The guy told me the address you posted to mail my tax return, but gave me a totally different address for sending my cheques back to. He told me it was Canada Revenue Agency, Ottawa Technology Centre, Ottawa ON K1A 1B1. What is the Ottawa Technology Centre????

Hmm, not completely sure. It is related to the CRA though. Check this link: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/cntct/prv/tstc/twts-eng.html I still don't know if I'm going about this correctly since it's only been 2 1/2 weeks since I talked to the CRA and mailed my cheques back, so I haven't got any mail or any kind of confirmation from them yet.

The technology centre is kind of an odd name for a CRA branch

[CANbirdUSman 11]

It's so funny to me that this seems like it should be common knowledge...so much you need to know to move countries...

You'd think...

However, sometimes common knowledge isn't common.

[canada_socks 97]

Hmm, not completely sure. It is related to the CRA though. Check this link: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/cntct/prv/tstc/twts-eng.html I still don't know if I'm going about this correctly since it's only been 2 1/2 weeks since I talked to the CRA and mailed my cheques back, so I haven't got any mail or any kind of confirmation from them yet.

The technology centre is kind of an odd name for a CRA branch

Yea, I know! Maybe I will send it where yous ent yours...if we send our taxes there I am sure they can figure it out if I send my GST cheque back with a note explaining why...

[pocheros 101]

It's been over a month since I talked to the CRA and sent my cheques back and still nothing... no letter in the mail (like they said I was supposed to get), nothing. I'm guessing they're just moving at a snail's pace like usual but maybe I'll give them a call soon... I really hope my letter didn't get lost in the mail.

Edited February 28, 2012 by pocheros

[Udella&Wiz 325]

It's been over a month since I talked to the CRA and sent my cheques back and still nothing... no letter in the mail (like they said I was supposed to get), nothing. I'm guessing they're just moving at a snail's pace like usual but maybe I'll give them a call soon... I really hope my letter didn't get lost in the mail.

You know how it is - probably took a week or 2 to get there and trhen a week or 2 in the mail room and now it's on someone's desk - I honestly wouldn't expect any notification for a month or 2. You didn't cash them so you're in good shape.

[Elisinha 1]

Wow! This is a really good stuff. I am working on my taxes right and very close to book my interview. You know what ?

I going to call the GST number and ask them to send me check instead of direct deposit. Because i will have the chance to send the cheque back, Well, I will close my banck account any way. I dont think I will be here when they start paying 2011..

[pocheros 101]

Wow! This is a really good stuff. I am working on my taxes right and very close to book my interview. You know what ?

I going to call the GST number and ask them to send me check instead of direct deposit. Because i will have the chance to send the cheque back, Well, I will close my banck account any way. I dont think I will be here when they start paying 2011..

I wouldn't recommend closing your bank account (if it's a Canadian bank account) because when you do your taxes next year they won't direct deposit into American bank accounts and American banks are very finicky with Canadian cheques (and Canadian cash too, for that matter). They are not as internationally friendly as Canadian banks are :/ So the easiest method for your tax refund is direct deposit into a Canadian bank account.

It is a good idea to start getting GST cheques though. The CRA is sooo slow processing everything...

Edited February 29, 2012 by pocheros