
International students in Canada may need to file a Canadian income tax return and pay taxes on income earned from teaching or research assistant positions, other employment, and investment and business income. Their tax obligations are determined by their residency status, which is based on the residential ties they have established in Canada. Students who have established significant residential ties with Canada are considered residents for tax purposes, while those who have not may still be deemed residents if they stay in the country for 183 days or more in a calendar year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Residency status | Determined by residential ties to Canada |
| Residential ties | Home in Canada, spouse or common-law partner, dependent moving to Canada, lease, bank account, provincial ID |
| Resident | Required to file a tax return, eligible for benefit and credit payments |
| Non-resident | Stayed in Canada for less than 183 days, no significant residential ties |
| Deemed resident | Stayed in Canada for 183 days or more, no significant residential ties |
| Deemed non-resident | No significant residential ties, considered a resident of another country with a tax treaty with Canada |
| Tax obligations | Depends on residency status, earnings, and income source |
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What You'll Learn

International students and residency status
International students in Canada are typically considered residents or non-residents for tax purposes. This classification is based on the residential ties they have with Canada. Residential ties can include having a home in Canada, a spouse or common-law partner, or a dependent who is moving to Canada to live with you. Other residential ties include having a lease in Canada, a Canadian bank account, or a provincial ID.
If you are an international student with Canadian source income or are considered a resident, you can claim tuition credits and are eligible for benefits such as the harmonized sales tax credit. You will need to file a tax return to continue to receive these benefits and credits.
If you do not have Canadian source income and are a non-resident or deemed non-resident, you are not required to file a Canadian tax return. However, filing a tax return can be beneficial even if you do not have any income, as it is the only way to obtain certain benefits and credits.
It is important to note that your residency status can be different from your immigration status. Additionally, your residency status determines your income tax obligations to Canada. If you are unsure about your residency status, you can complete and submit Form NR74, Determination of Residency Status, to the CRA.
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Tax benefits for international students
An international student in Canada is typically considered a resident for tax purposes if they have established significant residential ties. Residential ties can include having a home in Canada, a spouse or common-law partner, or a dependent who is moving to Canada to live with you. If you are considered a resident for tax purposes, you may be eligible for benefit and credit payments to help with your cost of living.
To work in Canada and file taxes, international students need a Social Insurance Number (SIN). This number is used for tax purposes and to access government benefits. As a resident for tax purposes, you must report your worldwide income. Non-residents are only required to report income from Canadian sources.
If you are a non-resident, you will be taxed only on your Canadian-source income. You are considered a non-resident if you do not establish significant residential ties and stay in Canada for less than 183 days during the year.
Even if you do not owe any taxes, it is beneficial to file a tax return. This is because it can help you claim refunds, benefits, or credits that you might be eligible for.
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International students with Canadian source income
As an international student in Canada, your residency status determines your income tax obligations. If you have Canadian source income or are considered a resident, you can claim tuition credits and are eligible for benefits such as the harmonized sales tax credit.
Residency status is based on the residential ties you have with Canada. Residential ties can include having a home in Canada, a spouse or common-law partner, or a dependent who is moving to Canada to live with you. If you have established significant residential ties with Canada, you are considered a resident for income tax purposes.
If you are a resident, you may be eligible for benefit and credit payments that can help with your cost of living. To continue receiving these payments, you will need to file your income tax and benefit return each year.
If you are a non-resident of Canada for income tax purposes, you will still need to file a tax return, even if you do not have any income in Canada. Both non-residents and deemed non-residents are required to pay tax on income received from Canadian sources. This income could include investment earnings from employment, interest or dividends, or taxable scholarships.
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Determining residency status
As an international student in Canada, you may need to file a Canadian income tax return. Your residency status determines your income tax obligations to Canada. Your residency status is based on the residential ties you have with Canada. Residential ties can include having a home in Canada, a spouse or common-law partner, or a dependent who is moving to Canada to live with you. Other residential ties can include having a lease in Canada, a Canadian bank account, or a provincial ID.
If you are an international student with Canadian source income or are considered a resident, then you can claim tuition credits and are eligible for benefits such as the harmonized sales tax credit. If you are a non-resident or a deemed non-resident and you do not have any Canadian source income, then you are not required to file a Canadian tax return.
You are a resident of Canada for income tax purposes if you establish significant residential ties with Canada. You are a non-resident of Canada for income tax purposes if you do not establish significant residential ties with Canada and you stay in Canada for less than 183 days during the year. If you do not establish significant residential ties with Canada, you may be deemed a resident of Canada for income tax purposes if you meet the following conditions:
- You stay in Canada for 183 days or more in a calendar year.
- You are not considered a resident of your home country under the terms of a tax treaty between Canada and that country.
If you are unsure about your residency status, you can complete and submit Form NR74, Determination of Residency Status (entering Canada) to the CRA.
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International students and tax treaties
As an international student in Canada, you may have to file a Canadian income tax return. Your residency status determines your income tax obligations in Canada. Your residency status can be different from your immigration status.
For income tax purposes, international students in Canada are typically considered one of the following:
- Resident: This includes students who reside in Canada for only part of the year.
- Non-resident: This includes students who do not reside in Canada for most of the year and have not established significant residential ties with Canada.
Residency status is based on the residential ties you have with Canada. Residential ties can include having a home in Canada, a spouse or common-law partner, or a dependent who is moving to Canada to live with you.
If you are a resident or a deemed resident of Canada, you can claim tuition credits and are eligible for benefits such as the harmonized sales tax credit. You will need to file a return to continue to receive the benefit and credit payments you are eligible for.
If you are a non-resident or a deemed non-resident and you do not have any Canadian source income, you are not required to file a Canadian tax return.
If you are a resident of another country that Canada has a tax treaty with, you may be considered a deemed non-resident of Canada for income tax purposes. Students from countries that have a tax treaty with Canada may not have to pay Canadian income tax and may be able to request that their employer stop withholding tax from their Canadian employment income with permission from CRA.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in Canada may have to file a Canadian income tax return and pay taxes. Your residency status determines your income tax obligations to Canada.
A resident for tax purposes in Canada is someone who has established significant residential ties to the country. Residential ties can include having a home in Canada, a spouse or common-law partner, or a dependent who is moving to Canada to live with you.
Your residency status can be different from your immigration status. You can determine your residency status by completing and submitting Form NR74, Determination of Residency Status (entering Canada) to the CRA.



























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