New to Canada or filing from abroad

First Canadian returns, without the guesswork.

A new country creates enough paperwork. Your tax return should begin with a clear timeline, not a pile of assumptions.

Your first return sets the starting point.

Your first Canadian return may involve income from before and after you arrived, Canadian tax slips, self-employment, family information, or property and accounts outside Canada. The dates matter. So does the difference between something the CRA needs and something that is merely sitting in your folder.

We help you organize the facts, identify the Canadian filing work, and tell you what information is still missing. We do not promise a refund or pretend every first return is complicated. We do make sure the questions are asked before the return is filed.

Canadian property. Canadian filing questions.

Living outside Canada does not make Canadian rental income disappear from the tax conversation. Non-resident property owners may need to consider withholding and Canadian filing requirements, supported by clear rental income and expense records.

We handle the Canadian side and work with non-resident clients remotely. Start with the property ownership details, rental statements, dates, prior filings and CRA correspondence. If the facts do not support a quick answer, we will say so.

Start with the timeline.

Tell us when you arrived, left, bought or began renting the property, and when the income was received. Then gather the related slips, statements, prior returns and CRA letters. Do not send passwords or access codes.

Tell us which side of the border you are on.

Describe the move, income or Canadian property. We will tell you what Canadian filing work may apply and what records are needed to assess it.

Common questions

Asked about this all the time.

What is different about my first Canadian tax return?
Your first return may require more context than a standard annual filing. Bring the dates relevant to your move, Canadian tax slips, information about income received before and after arriving, and any foreign income or property records that may be relevant. Do not guess at residency questions. Set out the timeline clearly so the filing position can be reviewed from the facts.
I live outside Canada and rent out Canadian property. Can you help?
Taxplan handles Canadian rental and property income for non-resident clients and works with them remotely. The file may involve withholding and Canadian filing requirements as well as the rental income and expense records. Start with the ownership details, rental statements, income and expense support, dates, prior filings and any CRA correspondence. The correct work depends on your circumstances, so the facts need review before advice is given.

All questions answered here