I landed in Canada in August — do I report my whole year's world income or only from August?
Only from August — from the date you became a resident of Canada for tax purposes. You report your world income (from all sources, inside and outside Canada) only for the part of the year you were a Canadian resident. But the CRA still asks you to disclose your pre-landing income — not to tax it, but to calculate your benefit and credit payments. Those are two different things, and mixing them up is the classic newcomer mistake.
The two-part rule: taxable vs. disclosed
| Period | What you report on the return | Taxed in Canada? |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 – day before you became resident | Foreign income goes on a Statement of Income (SOI), not on your return | No (except Canadian-source employment/business income and gains on taxable Canadian property) |
| Day you became resident – Dec 31 | World income on your tax return | Yes |
Say you landed August 15, 2026. Your January–August 14 income earned outside Canada is not taxed in Canada — the CRA says so plainly. But you still report it to the CRA via a Statement of Income (SOI): the CRA uses it to calculate amounts like the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) so you can start receiving payments as soon as you're a resident, even before filing your first return. The SOI covers income you and your spouse earned outside Canada for the part of the year (or up to two years) you did not reside in Canada.
Why pre-landing income matters for credits: the 90% rule
Here's the wrinkle: reporting pre-landing income isn't just paperwork — it affects your tax credits. Your federal non-refundable tax credits (like the basic personal amount) may be limited for a part-year resident. You can claim the full credits only if the Canadian-source income you earned during the non-resident part of the year is 90% or more of your net world income for that part of the year (or you had no income in that period). Otherwise, those credits are prorated to your days of residency.
Convert every foreign amount to Canadian dollars using the Bank of Canada exchange rate in effect on the date you received the income — not the year-end rate.
Don't forget the deemed disposition
When you became a Canadian resident, the CRA treats you as having sold and immediately reacquired most of your foreign property (shares, funds, jewellery, collections) at its fair market value (FMV) on that date. Record the FMV of your assets on the day you landed — it becomes your new cost base, so only gains after immigration are taxable in Canada. Canadian real estate you already owned is the main exception.
Frequently asked questions
I earned most of my 2026 income before landing. Do I get any credits at all?
You can always claim certain credits tied to your Canadian-source income during the non-resident part of the year (CPP contributions, EI premiums, tuition, donations, and a few others). The remaining credits are prorated by residency days unless you meet the 90% rule. If you think you qualify for full credits, attach a note to your paper return showing your net world income for the non-resident part of the year.
My spouse hasn't moved to Canada yet. Do I report their income?
On your return, enter your spouse's or common-law partner's net world income for the year regardless of their residency status, plus their net world income for the period you were a resident. The SOI likewise covers both of you for the pre-residency period.
I was paid abroad in January but the money arrived in Canada in September. Which part of the year counts?
Generally, employment income is reported in the year it was earned/paid, following your home country's timing — but the CRA's residency split is about when you became resident, not when money moves. Report world income only from your residency start date; disclose pre-landing income on the SOI. If the timing is unclear (bonuses, stock vesting), get advice before filing.
Sources
- https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/newcomers-canada-immigrants.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/newcomers-canada-immigrants/completing-return-newcomers.html
- https://help.wealthsimple.com/hc/en-ca/articles/4409322771355-Newcomer-to-Canada-Reporting-foreign-source-income