We help non-residents of Canada file their required tax returns, obtain tax clearance certificates, and stay fully compliant with CRA rules from anywhere in the world.

Canadian Tax Help for Non-Residents, Expats, and Property Owners

If you’re a non-resident of Canada, your tax filing obligations haven’t disappeared  they’ve just changed.

Whether you’ve left Canada permanently, are a non-resident earning rental income, or recently sold Canadian property, you may be required to file special tax returns and forms like:

• Section 216 or 217 returns
• Exit returns for departing residents
• T2062 / T2062A clearance certificates
• Non-resident withholding tax remittances

At TaxHelp.ca, we specialize in helping:

• Former Canadian residents
• International property owners
• Non-resident landlords
• Snowbirds
• Executors of estates involving non-resident beneficiaries

…navigate the CRA’s complex rules and avoid unnecessary penalties, withholding tax, or compliance issues.

We act as your trusted Canadian tax partner, even if you live halfway around the world.

Canadian Exit Tax Returns: What to File When You Leave Canada

If you’ve permanently emigrated from Canada (e.g., moved to the U.S., Europe, or elsewhere), you must file a final personal tax return for the year you leave, often called an exit return.

This final return includes:

• Worldwide income up to your departure date
• A detailed departure schedule (Form T1161 and Schedule A)
• A declaration of deemed dispositions (capital gains) on most Canadian assets
• Whether Section 118.94 and Section 220(4.5) elections apply

Why this matters:

The CRA considers you to have sold most of your property (except certain exceptions like RRSPs) when you cease Canadian tax residency triggering capital gains tax, even if you haven’t actually sold anything.

This is called the departure tax, and the penalties for not filing the proper paperwork are significant  up to $25 per day, and 5% to 10% of the unpaid tax.

Section 216 Tax Return: For Non-Resident Rental Income

If you are a non-resident who earns rental income from Canadian property, you are subject to 25% non-resident withholding tax on gross rents unless you take steps to reduce it.

To reduce this burden and report actual net rental income (after expenses), you can file a Section 216 return.

Section 216 returns allow you to:

• Pay tax on net rental income, not gross
• Claim expenses like mortgage interest, property tax, repairs, management fees, and depreciation
• Potentially reduce your overall tax burden significantly
• Request refunds of excess withholding tax paid

We help you:

• Register with the CRA as a non-resident landlord
• Submit NR6 forms to reduce required withholding
• File annual T1159 Section 216 returns
• Issue proper NR4 slips to the CRA and tenants

Section 217 Tax Return: For Canadian Pension or Old Age Income

If you’re a non-resident receiving:

• CPP or OAS
• RRSP/RRIF withdrawals
• Annuities
• Employer pensions

…you may be subject to 25% non-resident tax withholding. However, you may benefit from filing a Section 217 return, which calculates tax as if you were a Canadian resident.

This can reduce your tax rate or even result in a full refund depending on your income level and tax treaty status.

We’ll help determine if you’re eligible, file your T1 Section 217 return, and ensure you claim every deduction available.

Selling Canadian Real Estate as a Non-Resident: T2062 & T2062A

If you’re a non-resident selling Canadian real estate, the CRA requires you to report the sale and prepay capital gains tax by filing:

• Form T2062: For gains on most capital property (e.g. houses, land, buildings)
• Form T2062A: For depreciable property (e.g. rental property with CCA)

These forms must be filed within 10 days of the sale or risk a $25/day penalty, up to $2,500.

Once filed, the CRA will issue a Certificate of Compliance, which your legal representative must provide to the buyer to release holdback funds (usually 25–50% of gross proceeds).

We help with:

• Preparing the T2062/T2062A forms
• Calculating capital gains and depreciation recapture
• Coordinating with your lawyer or notary in Canada
• Submitting the request for clearance certificate
• Filing the final T1 return with the actual gain, once assessed

CRA Clearance Certificate for Non-Residents

Whether you’re winding up a trust, selling property, or finalizing an estate, the CRA requires a clearance certificate to confirm that all taxes owing by the non-resident have been paid.

Clearance certificates are especially important if:

• You’re distributing the proceeds of a property sale
• You’re an executor dealing with a non-resident beneficiary
• You want to avoid personal liability for taxes owed by a non-resident taxpayer

We handle the entire process for you — from the T2062 filing to the clearance certificate request to the final return.

Who We Work With

• Non-residents selling Canadian rental or vacation property
• Expats who recently left Canada and need to file exit returns
• Non-resident landlords and property investors
• Seniors living abroad with Canadian pensions
• Executors of estates with non-resident beneficiaries
• Immigration lawyers, accountants, and financial advisors looking for a tax partner

Get Expert Help With Non-Resident Tax Filings Today

Don’t risk penalties, missed deductions, or CRA withholding. We help you stay compliant and save money with fast, remote, expert non-resident tax services.