Tax Questions Before You Move to Canada
You do not have to be in Canada to talk to a Canadian accountant. Some of the decisions that matter most — what to sell, what to keep, what to write down — only work while you are still on the other side.
- What your apartment, business or investments back home mean here
- The record you should take on the day you arrive — and almost nobody does
- Whether to start your Canadian business before or after you land
Why the timing actually matters
The day you arrive sets your cost
CRA treats what you already own as acquired at its market value the day you become a resident. That number is your cost base later.
Nobody tells you to write it down
CRA says to keep a record of that value. Years later, when you sell, the missing valuation is what turns a small gain into an argument.
Selling before or after is not the same
The apartment you sell the month before you land and the month after can land very differently on a Canadian return.
One conversation is usually enough
This is rarely a long engagement. Most people need an hour of clarity, not an ongoing service.
What we go through with you
- When Canada is likely to start counting you as a tax resident
- Property, savings and investments you already own, and what happens to them on arrival
- Income that will keep arriving from your home country after you move
- Whether the business you run now fits better as a Canadian corporation or self-employment
- What to collect before you leave, while documents are still easy to get
- What your first Canadian tax return will actually involve
Sound familiar?
- You have a move planned and the tax part is the vaguest piece of it
- You own an apartment back home and do not know whether to sell it
- You run a business now and want to keep working after you land
- You leave in a few weeks, while the documents are still easy to get there
- Someone told you something confident and you would like a second opinion
- You would rather ask now than find out in April
What Our Clients Say
Reviews from our public Google profile
Reviews on the chosen topic come first
I used this company's services. Olha calculated my taxes. I was very satisfied. Last year I started my own business and it was my first year filing a return as self-employed, so I had a lot of questions. But Olha explained everything to me and helped me figure out all the questions. I highly recommend
I’m not usually the type to write reviews, but this team honestly deserves it. For the last two years, they’ve filed our family’s tax returns online, always at a time that works for us — even in the evening after a long day. No fuss, no confusion, no wasting our time. Everything is clear, fast, and done right. They actually care if you understand what’s going on, not just “get it done and move on.” I’m impressed every time. It’s a huge relief to have someone you trust with your documents and personal information, especially as newcomers. If you want accountants who treat you like a real person, not just another client, this is the team for you. Five stars from me and my family!
Our family has been in Canada for two years, and we’re very grateful to have found Anytime Accounting after a disappointing experience with other local accounting firms. In our opinion, many of them lacked proper understanding of the tax situations of newcomers and immigrants. Based on our friends’ recommendations, we turned to Olha — and we’re so glad we did. The team is truly professional, handled our taxes with great care and accuracy, and provided us with valuable advice and support for our future interactions with the CRA. We finally feel like we’re in good hands!
Last year, my family used Anytime Accounting's services for the first time, so I would like to express my gratitude to the accountants for their professionalism and efficiency in filing our declarations. Everything was done on time and without errors. We were impressed with your attention to detail, ability to quickly understand complex issues, and, most importantly, clear and understandable advice at all stages of the process. Once again, we thank you very much and hope to become your regular client.
Sincere gratitude for the thorough and free consultation on tax and benefit questions! Olha gave precise and detailed answers to all my questions, thank you. And special thanks for the format of free consultation help for newcomers, this …
I had a great experience with Anytime Accounting for my self-employed tax return. Olha Vozna was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and patient throughout the entire process. She made what can be a stressful time feel completely manageable and ensured everything was handled accurately. I felt confident every step of the way knowing I was in good hands. I highly recommend Anytime Accounting to anyone looking for reliable and professional accounting services!
FAQ
Yes. Where you physically are does not matter; what matters is that the questions are about Canadian tax. We work with people planning a move and people mid-move. If you have already landed, start with your first Canadian tax return — that is the page for the year you are actually in.
Usually the opposite. The decisions that can only be made before you arrive — what to sell, what to document, how to time things — are exactly the ones people find out about too late.
No, that is a different profession and we will not pretend otherwise. We handle the Canadian tax and business side; for status and applications you want an immigration professional.
We work on the Canadian side — how your foreign income and assets are treated here, and what Canada expects you to report. We do not advise on another country's tax law, and you may need someone local there as well.
It depends on your situation, and anyone who answers that in one line without knowing your circumstances is guessing. It is one of the most common reasons people book this call, and it is worth an actual conversation.
A rough date of arrival, a list of what you own, and where your income comes from. Nothing formal — the point of the first call is to work out which parts of your situation need real attention.
Ask before you land
Tell us roughly when you arrive and what you own. Fifteen minutes is usually enough to see what needs attention.
Don't take our word for it
None of this is our interpretation. It is CRA's own wording — check it yourself:
- CRA — Completing your return for newcomers: property you owned before arriving is deemed acquired at fair market value, and "you should keep a record of the FMV"
- CRA — Determining your residency status: what decides when Canada starts taxing you
- CRA — Newcomers to Canada: benefits, credits and your first return
Checked: 2026-07-27