Are You Living and Working in Canada? Then Claim This $2,000 CRA Tax Credit (2024)

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The CRA offers many benefits and tax breaks to Canadians, but it offers a $2,000 tax credit, even if you are not a citizen.

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Puja Tayal has been writing for Motley Fool Canada since 2020. Her love for writing inspired her to start a college newsletter. With a Bachelors's degree in Finance and Accounting and CFA Level 1, Puja strives to transform stock discussions into breakfast table chats through her articles. A movie buff and a finance geek, Puja weaves superheroes, cartoons, and novels to tell you a story touching different aspects of investing, from portfolio and tax planning to retirement savings. Follow her on Twitter for more stories.

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| More on: REI.UNXIT

Canada offers many benefits to its citizens and the immigrants who live and work in Canada. In the COVID-19 crisis, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) opened up the $2,000/month Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) to immigrants as well. The CRA offers more benefits to those who regularly file their income tax returns. If you are above 18 years of age and working in Canada, you can get a tax credit of around $2,000.

Claim the $2,000 basic personal amount tax credit in 2020

If you are filing returns in Canada, you pay federal tax and provincial tax. Every year, the CRA calculates a basic personal amount (BPA) after adjusting for inflation. For the 2020 tax year, theBPA is $13,229— a $931 increase from last year. You can claim this enhanced BPA if your 2020 net income is less than or equal to $150,473.

How does the BPA work? The CRA exempts the minimum federal tax rate on the BPA. For 2020, the minimum federal tax is 15%. Hence, you can reduce your tax bill by $1,984, which is just $16 short of $2,000.

And if you are above 65 years of age, you also get a $1,145 in an age tax credit, which has a similar calculation as the BPA tax credit. You can monetize this tax credit by investing the money in the stock market.

The changing phase of the stock market

The Toronto Stock Exchange has some good stocks that even Warren Buffett likes. While some of the best tech stocks trade on the NASDAQ, some of the best energy stocks trade on the TSX. In this past decade, Canadian software stocks have picked up momentum. The 2030 decade will see the rise of stocks that facilitate the move to digitization.

The tech stocks like ShopifyandLightspeed POSare making shopping and dining digital. Then there isConstellation SoftwareandEnghouse, which are acquiring software companies that serve the niche verticals. The first two stocks have been the winners of 2020, surging 145% and 77%, respectively. But their exorbitant rally has now made them a little risky. The latter two stocks surged modestly around 27-29%.

The market is currently unstable, as it is in the middle of a turnaround, where a COVID-19 vaccine can bring the pandemic-driven rally to a standstill. If you are still bullish on the tech stocks, rather than risking buying one overvalued stock, diversify your risk with a technology ETF.

iShares S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index ETF (TSX:XIT) gives you exposure to the price movement of Shopify and Constellation Software at $41. If you go to buy these stocks individually, you need at least $3,000. But the ETF has almost 50% of its holdings in these two stocks, which increases its upside. At the same time, it has invested the other half of its holdings in 17 tech stocks. This has reduced its downside.

In the second week of November, the vaccine news pulled down stock prices of Shopify and Constellation by 11% and 4.5%, respectively. But the ETF fell only 4%. In the week before that, the two stocks surged 11% and 12.4%, respectively, and the ETF rose 9%.

Enhance the $2,000 BPA tax credit with the power of compounding

You can divide the $2,000 BPA tax credit between the XIT ETF and the post-pandemic stocks that will surge with the economic recovery. One post-pandemic stock isRioCan REIT (TSX:REI.UN). The stock fell 33% to the 2009 level, as the pandemic forced non-essential retailers to close their stores temporarily. Some retailers couldn’t bear the losses from the lockdown and closed their stores or reduced their store chains permanently.

As the economy recovers, the closed stores will reopen with new tenants and higher rent. This will increase RioCan’s stock price by 50% in the next two years. The stock has already started to recover, surging 23% this month.

A $1,000 in XIT ETF and a $1,000 in RioCan will balance your risk, and you will stand to gain in whichever way the stock market moves.

Are You Living and Working in Canada? Then Claim This $2,000 CRA Tax Credit (2024)

FAQs

Who is eligible for Canada employment tax credit? ›

All income reported on lines 10100 and 10400 is eligible for the Canada employment amount. Self-employed individuals are not eligible to claim this amount.

Is income tax based on where you live or work Canada? ›

Under the Canadian income tax system, your income tax obligations to Canada are based on your residency status. You need to know your residency status before you can know what your tax responsibilities and filing requirements to Canada are.

What is the 90% rule for non-residents? ›

The 90% rule refers to at least 90% of a non-residents income from the tax year being sourced in Canada. If you have earned at least 90% of your net income in the tax year in Canada you will be entitled to claim non-refundable tax credits, allowing you to earn up to $15,705 tax free income in Canada.

How much money can you make before you have to claim it Canada? ›

You can earn up to $15,000 in income before you have to pay provincial or federal income tax on it. If you earn via capital gains or dividends, all amounts earned are taxed on your income taxes.

What are tax credits in Canada for individuals? ›

A tax credit reduces the amount tax you pay, and, depending on the credit, can help you get money back in the form of a refund or tax benefit. Your eligibility for certain tax credits depends on a number of factors, such as your income, employment, marital status and if you have any dependents.

Am I eligible for the employee tax credit? ›

You may qualify for ERC if your business or organization experienced a significant decline in gross receipts during 2020 or a decline in gross receipts during the first three quarters of 2021.

Do you pay taxes if you live in Canada and work in the US? ›

If you are living in Canada permanently (and not simply visiting on a travel visa), you will likely be considered a Canadian tax resident and have a Canadian tax return filing obligation. However, you may also have U.S. Federal and State tax filing obligations if you worked for a U.S. based employer. Dual Canadian-U.S.

Can I live in Canada and work remotely for a US company tax? ›

Working in Canada without informing your US employer means they will likely continue deducting and withholding US taxes. However, Canadian authorities would expect you to pay income tax as a resident if you remain in Canada over 183 days.

How to determine if you are a resident for tax purposes? ›

California Residency for Tax Purposes

An individual who comes to California for a purpose which will extend over a long or indefinite period will be considered a resident. An individual who comes to California to perform a service for a short duration will be considered a nonresident.

How much income is tax free in Canada? ›

Tax-free basic personal amounts (BPA)

This means that an individual Canadian taxpayer can earn up-to $15,000 in 2023 before paying any federal income tax. For the 2024 tax year, the federal basic personal amount is $15,705 (for taxpayers with a net income of $173,205 or less).

Do I have to file taxes in Canada as a non-resident? ›

Your tax obligations. As a non-resident of Canada, you pay tax on income you receive from sources in Canada. The type of tax you pay and the requirement to file an income tax return depend on the type of income you receive. Generally, Canadian income received by a non-resident is subject to Part XIII tax or Part I tax.

What happens if you don't report foreign income in Canada? ›

Any income earned in offshore accounts has to be declared by Canadian residents. Failure to do so is tax evasion and can lead to jail time. Is a gift from a foreign person taxable? There is no gift tax in Canada.

What is the new $1200 benefit in Canada? ›

The CRA will give $1,200 to low-income seniors who meet certain criteria. This tax-free money helps them with the rising cost of living. It's available to those who qualify for CPP and OAS.

How much income can go unreported in Canada? ›

The CRA will charge a penalty if a corporation does not report an amount equal to or greater than $500 that is required to be included in computing its income on its return in a tax year and any of the three previous tax years.

What happens if you don't declare all your income Canada? ›

You must include all your income when you calculate it for tax purposes. If you fail to report all your income, you may have to pay a penalty of 10% of the amount you failed to report after your first omission.

Who is eligible for Canada work benefits? ›

Basic amount eligibility

Earn working income and your net income is below the net income level set for your province or territory of residence. Are a resident of Canada throughout the year. Are 19 years of age or older on December 31, or you live with your spouse or common-law partner or your child.

Who is eligible to claim the Canada Training credit? ›

To be eligible, you need to be a worker: with at least $10,000 in earnings for work (including maternity or parental leave benefits) with an income below about $150,000. between the ages of 25 and 64.

Am I eligible for employment in Canada? ›

Foreign nationals looking to work in or visit Canada may need to get a work permit, a visitor visa or both to enter Canada. There are temporary and permanent immigration programs that you may be eligible to apply for.

Who qualifies for GST credit in Canada? ›

You are eligible for this credit if you are a resident of Canada for income tax purposes at the end of the month before and at the beginning of the month in which the CRA makes a payment (read When your GST/HST credit is paid). In the month before the CRA makes a quarterly payment, you must be at least 19 years old.

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