GST/HST Credit: Have you applied for the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit? You may be eligible to receive this credit. If you are not sure whether you qualify, you should file a return and complete the GST/HST area on page 1 of your tax return.
Community Volunteer Income Tax Program: Maybe you could benefit from a volunteer’s help to complete your income tax return. If you would like to know more about the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, call 1-800-959-8281.
Extended stay in the U.S.: Did you spend some time in the U.S. for a vacation or for your health in 2000? If you did, you may have to check your residency status to determine if you are subject to U.S. income tax. If this is the case, you may be able to claim a foreign tax credit to reduce your Canadian taxes payable.
Exemptions at the border: Do you know that, even if you spend part of the year in the U.S. for your health or pleasure, you are still considered a “visitor” by the U.S. Immigration Service? When you return to Canada, the same exemptions apply to you as to other returning residents.
Retirement: When you retire, you may have to pay your income tax directly to the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency by quarterly instalment payments if your tax is not withheld at source. For example, bond interest, certain pension payments, rental, investment, and self-employment income do not have tax withheld. For most taxpayers, instalment payments are due on March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15.
Pension benefits: You have to start receiving a pension from your registered pension plan (RPP) by the end of the year you turn 69.
RRSPs: Your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) must mature by the end of the year you turn 69. If your RRSP has matured, you either have to: cash in your RRSP and pay income tax in that year on the money you receive; or use the money in the plan to buy an annuity for life, an annuity spread over a number of years, or a registered retirement income fund.
Medical Expenses: Don’t forget to claim medical expenses paid for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents. This is the way it works: you can claim your expenses that are more than $1,637 or 3% of your net income, whichever amount is less. In addition, there are new amounts you may be able to claim this year.
Tax Credits: As a way to reduce your tax, you may be able to claim non-refundable tax credits. In addition to the basic personal amount, you may be able to claim amounts such as the age amount, spousal amount, disability amount, and pension income amount. Some of these amounts have increased for 2000.
Information Resources: See the following publications for the information you need to take advantage of tax credits and fulfil your tax obligations:
You can get these publications by visiting your tax services office, calling 1-800-959-2221, or visiting our website at : www.ccra.gc.ca
Address Changes
Recipients of the following payments must advise the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) of any change in their address.
Eligibility for these programs is based in part on an individual’s residency. To be eligible for the CCTB or GST/HST credit, an individual must be resident in Canada. In addition, eligibility for each provincial or territorial child benefit and credit program requires residency in that particular province or territory. For these reasons, the CCRA will stop issuing payments under these programs when it receives information that it no longer has a client’s correct address.
Advising the CCRA of a change of address: Clients can let us know about a change in their address: in person at their local tax services office, by calling the CCRA at 1-800-959-8281 (English) or 1-800-959-7383 (French) or by writing to the CCRA.