Hi.

I am an international student who came to Canada in 2002. I had paid tuition before coming to Canada from India, roughly $10,000 or so for a 2 year course. At the end of the 2nd year, I applied for an extension because I didn't complete the course yet. Then, towards the end of my 'thesis', my school mentioned to me I need to pay them $5,000 before they give me a degree, which is another story.

I didn't have that money, so I started working a cash job at a coffee time. To try and pay for this new fee (which wasn't mentioned to me in India.). However, I wasn't successful as around that time financial situation back home deteriorated and I was going to have to fend for myself. Which this cash job helped me with. Barely.

Anyway, during these 3 years, a lady helped me do some taxes for $30. I don't know what she did, but I got a tax return usually somewhere in $300 - $500 range. I'm guessing it was a return on tuition and TTC. I don't think I ever paid taxes, but that's because (she said) I'm an international student on a study permit/visa with no income in Canada.

Finally, around 2005 I got another cash job at a restaurant as a waiter. And deposited my cash in my bank account. I don't remember if I took this lady's services and got that tax thing done.Sometimes I even got paid by that restaurant by their cheque.

Mid 2006, 2007 I worked at another place for cash. As they say, independant contractor. Didn't require my SIN. (Which btw starts with 9, as good as none.) They paid me by cheque, and the cheque had their company address, etc in it. I think I deposited them at the same bank. Then, the company had a name change in 2007 late, and same way of paying except new company name on the cheque. Deposited in the same bank. I haven't used the tax services of that lady for these periods.

I want to rectify my taxes situation and pay up, but if I file for returns or even do my taxes, the govt will know I worked when I'm not supposed to. And then they'll kick me out of Canada. I got married and filed for PR a couple months ago. I'm hoping I can do something about this after (God willing) I get my PR? Or should I leave it alone?


Someone please advise.

Hi, I am not a tax expert but I hope that I would be able to give you some advice as nobody else has replied.

First of all, living in Canada you should always file your tax return. Even if you havn't worked for the last year, you will still get a sales tax refund of $100. That's how you got $300 for three years and it has nothing to do with your status in Canada or your education fees.

I don't think that by filing your taxes, Canadian gov't will come to know that you have been working illegally for the last few years, which you shouldn't as govn't has allowed international students to work off campus, because you will not be showing that income in your tax return.

You will be better off by filing your tax return as you will get $100/year as a refund. Furthermore, you will also accumulate educational credits that you can use at a time when you have legal taxable income.