Guidance on selling home from overseas

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TimeToExplore
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Guidance on selling home from overseas

Post by TimeToExplore »

Really hoping I can get some ideas on the best way forward here.

I'm selling a home that I've owned for 8 years and lived in for 6 of those. In 2015 I left Canada to travel and to visit family in Europe. I've been back to Canada since then, a couple months of times.

I can't tell what kind of resident I am. I haven't made any employment income, either in Canada or elsewhere. Am I still a factual resident for tax purposes? When I sell the home I understand that I need to get a certificate and some of the funds will be withheld. But that only seems to be the case if I'm considered a non-resident, and since I still have the house, and bank accounts, I do not think that's me.

Finally, last question. While I've been away I've had various people stay at my house; friends, family, house swappers. Sometimes it's been vacant. Is this an issue that will impact the sale and the taxes? The home is not really my primary residence anymore, but I still get mail there and had the utilities in my name.

Any wisdom on what to expect with all this would be very appreciated.

It's possible that I can return to Canada to finalize the sale, but I'll only do this if it is worthwhile and there are advantages. I can take up residency in the house as well, it will be vacant within a few weeks.

Ideas? Comments?
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AltaRed
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Re: Guidance on selling home from overseas

Post by AltaRed »

Are you a Canadian citizen? Landed immigrant? It's not clear to me what you can possibly do for a living to support yourself and pay ongoing operating expenses for the house if you do not have employment/business income of some kind.
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adrian2
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Re: Guidance on selling home from overseas

Post by adrian2 »

TimeToExplore wrote: 10 May 2017 17:56 I can't tell what kind of resident I am. I haven't made any employment income, either in Canada or elsewhere. Am I still a factual resident for tax purposes?
Have you been filing Canadian tax returns in recent past?
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TimeToExplore
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Re: Guidance on selling home from overseas

Post by TimeToExplore »

I'm a Canadian citizen and the last tax return I filed was for 2014. I've lived off of work I've picked up while away, savings, and friends/family/church. I swapped homes with a couple that travelled to Canada, I stayed in their place and they stayed in mine.
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