Canadian Tax Question

[Yellowhead 12]

I moved to California on May 1, 2011 and got married immediately upon arrival. I was a full-time student in 2011, in addition to having tuition credits still on my file from previous years due to how little I made during University. I am now getting ready to file my Canadian tax return using my tuition credits from last year. I did not gain residency until late 2011 in California so I am filing as a married person here, but unsure about what to do in Canada.

Basically, I am curious about general info for filing your first tax return abroad, as well as wondering what happens to those existing tax credits if I stop filing after the 2011 return. Is there anything specific I need to notate on this tax return due to my leaving Canada to live in the USA? Should/Can I still file in 2012 due to the existing tax credits and the fact that I maintain my Canadian passport, travel to and from as well as a Canadian credit card and bank account with high interest savings?

Any information is appreciated. I am clueless as to what needs to be done right now. Eeek.

[tracy&david 2]

You must file your departure tax return to international tax service office in Ottawa. For the details go to Canada revenue agency's website and search for T4056 and you will figure out what tax forms you need to file out. I just got that and have not read through it yet.

Good luck

[SapphireDreams 71]

I moved to California on May 1, 2011 and got married immediately upon arrival. I was a full-time student in 2011, in addition to having tuition credits still on my file from previous years due to how little I made during University. I am now getting ready to file my Canadian tax return using my tuition credits from last year. I did not gain residency until late 2011 in California so I am filing as a married person here, but unsure about what to do in Canada.

Basically, I am curious about general info for filing your first tax return abroad, as well as wondering what happens to those existing tax credits if I stop filing after the 2011 return. Is there anything specific I need to notate on this tax return due to my leaving Canada to live in the USA? Should/Can I still file in 2012 due to the existing tax credits and the fact that I maintain my Canadian passport, travel to and from as well as a Canadian credit card and bank account with high interest savings?

Any information is appreciated. I am clueless as to what needs to be done right now. Eeek.

Your tax credits will just never be used basically. When you cease to become a resident of Canada, you don't need to file taxes anymore, so you wouldn't need the credits. Did you parents help you pay tuition? Your parents might be able to use the credits instead. My Mom used my credits after I left. I currently have a government student loan and could technically get a credit for the interest that I pay towards them but since I don't live in Canada, I can't use the credit. You can also still filed as married. I think I just filed as married, but listed my spouse as having $0 income in Canada. I can't remember exactly, but I got a nice refund.

You need to file an exit return for 2011, you can still use your credits for 2011, and you'll likely get a refund, but after that, I don't see why you would want to file in Canada again and risk the US questioning your residency. Also, if you have no Canadian income to put the credits towards, I'm not sure how that would do anything for you. I could be wrong though, I'm not a tax expert.