Resident Tax Canada: Professional Tax Services for Expats and Investors
Just because you’re living outside of Canada doesn’t mean you’re done with the CRA. If you have income in Canada, own property in Canada or still have financial ties back in Canada, then you will have to deal with Canadian tax.
WYCPA is the trusted non-resident tax Canada accountant for expats who want to get it right. Our Chartered Professional Accountants help individuals, investors and companies fulfill their reporting requirements and avoid double taxation on the same income.
How Does Canada Non-Resident Tax Work?
Canadian tax rules are based on your residency status, not your citizenship. Once you become a non-resident for tax purposes, you generally only pay Canadian tax on specific types of Canadian-source income.
What you actually owe depends on your remaining ties to Canada, the income you still receive, and any tax treaty that applies. Getting your Canada non resident tax position right before you file is what keeps you out of an audit and stops you from being over-withheld on your investments.
Who Needs Dedicated Non-Resident Tax Services?
Left unmanaged, cross-border tax exposure can turn into penalties fast. Our non-resident tax services are built for people in situations like:
- Emigrated Expats: Permanently relocated outside Canada but still hold assets here
- Foreign Property Owners: Own Canadian residential or commercial rental property
- International Pensioners: Receive Canadian pension or retirement income while living abroad
- Corporate Shareholders: Earn dividends from private or public Canadian corporations
- Cross-Border Workers: Working internationally while keeping financial ties to Canada
What Canadian Income is Taxable for Non-Residents?
Even after you sever your residency ties, the CRA still has taxing rights over certain Canadian income.
We handle compliance and tax planning for:
- Rental Real Estate Income: Canadian rental income, often filed under a Section 216 election so you're taxed on net income instead of gross rent
- Pensions & Registered Funds: RRSP, RRIF, or OAS distributions, which may benefit from a Section 217 election depending on your total income
- Corporate Distributions: Dividends, interest, or director fees from Canadian entities
- Taxable Canadian Property: Capital gains from selling Canadian real estate or business assets
Filing a proper non-resident tax return in Canada using the right elections means you pay what you actually owe, not more, while staying compliant with non-resident withholding rules.
Cross-Border Tax Planning and Compliance
Managing tax across two countries takes more than filing once a year and hoping it works out. Our cross border tax Canada planning is built to keep Canadian tax law and your new country’s rules working together instead of against each other.
Our non-resident advisory work covers:
- Residency Determinations: Formally establishing your non-resident status with the CRA
- Section 216 & 217 Structuring: Reducing withholding tax on rental and pension income where it applies
- Tax Treaty Review: Using applicable treaties to avoid being taxed twice on the same income
- CRA Compliance Management: Handling foreign income reporting and the non-resident paperwork that comes with it
Why Choose WYCPA for Your Non-Resident Taxes?
Getting started with our Vancouver accounting firm is straightforward.
35+ Years of Canadian Tax Experience
Decades of experience handling international tax files
Chartered Professional Accountants
Certified experts in cross-border and corporate tax structures
Coordinated Advisory Approach
Departure tax, non-resident compliance, and estate planning handled together
Year-Round Support
Available wherever you're based, whatever the time zone
Get Help With Your Canadian Assets From Abroad
Cross-border tax doesn’t have to derail your finances. Get your Canadian income streams and CRA obligations sorted by experts who deal with non-resident tax in Canada every day.
Book Your Non-Resident Tax Consultation With WYCPA
FAQs
A non-resident is someone who's lived outside Canada for the tax year and has severed significant residential ties here, things like a home, a spouse, or dependents.
Not always. If your only Canadian income is bank interest or dividends that already had the correct non-resident withholding tax applied at source, you may not need to file. If you have rental income or pension income, though, filing is usually worth it. It lets you claim deductions you'd otherwise lose.
These elections let non-residents choose to be taxed on net Canadian income after expenses and deductions at regular graduated rates, instead of paying a flat withholding tax on the full gross amount.