# File previous year tax

**URL:** <https://www.protaxcommunity.com/t/file-previous-year-tax/7804>\
**Category:** Tax Topics\
**Created:** [February 13, 2024, 1:31am UTC](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/t/file-previous-year-tax/7804 "2024-02-13T01:31:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kevin.li.ca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kevin.li.ca](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/u/kevin.li.ca)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 1:31am UTC](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/t/file-previous-year-tax/7804/1 "2024-02-13T01:31:03Z")

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A client came to Canada on a tourist visa in 2022, stayed for two months and then left, and then came back in 2023 with a student visa processed in her home country, arriving in February 2023, can they file taxes for the year 2022?

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**Author:** ![Nezzer](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/www.protaxcommunity.com/nezzer/32/3845_2.png) [@Nezzer](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/u/Nezzer)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 3:05am UTC](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/t/file-previous-year-tax/7804/2 "2024-02-13T03:05:12Z")

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My first thought is, “why in the heck would you bother?” But, I’m guessing it’s not “taxes” that your client is concerned with; it’s more likely the “benefits” they are looking to gain - GST/HST credit, CCB, CAI, etc. Right?

So, then, it’s not a question of “whether you can file the T1” but “can he/she claim Canadian residency.” That is a complex question, and there are several other threads on this forum where that question is discussed. In addition, see:

> **[Determining your residency status - Canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/information-been-moved/determining-your-residency-status.html)**
>
> Information for individuals on residency for tax purposes.

> **[Understanding Canadian Residency Status and Tax Treaties | 2023 TurboTax®...](https://turbotax.intuit.ca/tips/how-to-determine-residential-ties-to-canada-12108)**
>
> Taxes in Canada are based on significant and secondary residential ties. Learn what these are and how they affect you to file your return like a pro.

[https://www.taxtips.ca/personaltax/resident-vs-non-resident-tax-status.htm](https://www.taxtips.ca/personaltax/resident-vs-non-resident-tax-status.htm)

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**Author:** ![kevin.li.ca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kevin.li.ca](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/u/kevin.li.ca)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2024, 2:22pm UTC](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/t/file-previous-year-tax/7804/3 "2024-02-25T14:22:44Z")

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Thank you. Actually the client has no idea if they need to file the tax or not, and I am also confused on this situation.

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**Author:** ![BertMulderCGA](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/www.protaxcommunity.com/bertmuldercga/32/42_2.png) [@BertMulderCGA](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/u/BertMulderCGA)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2024, 1:30pm UTC](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/t/file-previous-year-tax/7804/4 "2024-02-26T13:30:16Z")

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If you do not know how to handle the file, you should not take on the engagement…

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**Author:** ![tedlemcpa](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/www.protaxcommunity.com/tedlemcpa/32/3761_2.png) [@tedlemcpa](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/u/tedlemcpa)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 3:41am UTC](https://www.protaxcommunity.com/t/file-previous-year-tax/7804/5 "2024-02-28T03:41:26Z")

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I read this and felt the same. Kind of weird but did not think about benefits. But that ding’ed.