Income Tax Information

Even if you have no income to report or tax to pay, you may be eligible for certain payments or credits. In order to receive these payments or credits, you must file an income tax return.

An Information Session to assist International Students in completing their Tax Returns will be conducted on campus on February 2012, details TBA.

We will offer free tax clinics to all international students on campus ISC from March. As a resident of Canada for part or all of a tax year (January 1 to December 31 2011), you must file a tax return if you:

• owe tax; or
• want to receive a refund because you paid too much tax in a tax year.

You must file an income tax return to receive credits such as:

• The GST/HST credit(goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax)
• Canada Child Tax Benefit payments
• Provincial or Territorial tax credits.

For other examples, please see "Do you have to file a return?" in the General Income Tax and Benefit Guide.

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Free Campus Tax Clinics - from March 5th to March 17th a the ISC and the University Bookstore:

• Other free tax clinics in Windsor

Resident VS Non-Resident / International Students in Canada

For income tax purposes, international students studying in Canada are considered to be one of the following types of residents*:

• resident (includes students who reside in Canada only part of the year) Most students are in this category
• non-resident
• deemed resident
• deemed non-resident

* Most international students will be resident or deemed resident

Your residency status is based on the residential ties you have with Canada. For more information, please see IT-221, Determination of an Individual's Residence Status.

What if I don't have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)? 

• If you don't have a SIN you'll have to complete the following form and have it signed by a professor or the International Student Advisor (ISA). You need to bring your actual passport and a photocopy of your passport and Study Permit:

If this is the first time you are filling for a tax return, there are some important points to know. All relevant steps are covered in our annual information session and this website: Newcomers to Canada.

Mailing your Tax Return:

International Tax Services Office
2204 Walkley Road
Ottawa, ON K1A 1A8

1-800-267-5177 (from Canada and the U.S.) or
(613) 952-3741 for calls overseas (collect calls accepted)

• If you have filed for tax return before you can file electronically at http://www.netfile.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

Or send the printed package to :

Canada Revenue Agency
Tax Centre
Post Office Box 14001, Station Main
Winnipeg MB  R3C 3M3

Local CRA Office:

Office Hours: 8:30 - 4:30

* Service is by appointment only.

Windsor Tax Services Office
185 Ouellette Avenue
N9A 5S8
1-800-959-8281 (within Canada only)

GST Credits - 1-800-959-1953

On the website:

For further Information:

Go to the Canada Revenue Agency website and search for the following publications:

This information is from the Canada Revenue Agency website for International Students in Canada

This information is intended for current University of Windsor students only.