Every department or agency in Canada is not authorized to collect the Social Insurance Number of a Canadian. There are a few specific authorized programs or departments that use a person’s SIN in order to manage a range of activities involving the person holding the number. Basically, any kind of execution of the SIN by the federal government is governed by the Treasury Board policy authorization.

The Canadian Employment Insurance Commission is entitled for issuing SINs. This is the same body, which is responsible for maintaining a record of the information needed to identify applicants who are entitled to various benefits under the country’s Insurance programs. In order to be able to avail these benefits, workers are required to provide their SINs to the respective administrative body.

As per the Canadian Income Tax Act:

1. A person is required to provide his/her SIN for filing an annual tax return.
2. Government agencies need the number for providing the SIN holder with grants, loans, and other types of financial assistance.
3. Employers need the SIN in order to provide an employee with his/her record of employment, as well as other purposes like pension and personal income tax.
4. A person needs to provide the SIN when applying for the Canadian Child Tax Benefit.
5. A person is also required to provide the SIN to banks, or other financial organizations.

Social assistance programs like Canada Pension Plan also require a Canadian’s SIN. These are the programs that offer financial assistance to a person engaged in pensionable job and his/her family when circumstances occur that cause loss of income, such as retirement, death or disability. In order to able to avail such benefits, one needs to provide his/her SIN, along with other details, such as name; sex; and address.

According to the Old Age Security (OAS) Act, a person is required to provide his/her Social Insurance Number at the time of availing the OAS benefits. Over 65-year-old individuals are entitled to the Old Age Security pension. In this respect, an SIN is required to confirm the amount of benefits a person is entitled to; his/her date of birth; sex; marital status; and date of death.

As we have already discussed a few legislated uses of the Social Insurance Number in Canada, it is needless to mention that the use of this personal identification is limited to government agencies and to a very few authorities. Let’s have a look at some more legislated uses of the SIN:

• Canada Student Financial Assistance Act: This act states that the students in Canada are required to provide their Social Insurance Numbers who take grants through the loan program for students. The respective authorities need the number for verifying the students’ details, including name, sex, date of birth at the time of granting the loans.
• Budget Implementation Act, 1998: Under this act, individuals who intends to take Canada Education Savings Grants are required to provide the SIN, so that the respective authorities could verify the former’s eligibility .
• Canadian Labor Standards Regulations: Also known as Canada Labor Code, which looks after the health and safety of employees in workplaces under federal jurisdiction, also requires employees’ Social Insurance Numbers, alongside other details in order to maintain records.
• War Veterans Allowance Act: Force veterans are asked to give their SINs in order to be qualified for financial benefits and allowances. They may be asked for the same by federal, as well as provincial governments.
• Federal Fuel Tax Rebate: When filing for fuel, like gasoline refund claim, the Canada Revenue Agency asks individuals for the Social Insurance Number. The agency is responsible for providing a rebate for a portion of the federal sales tax paid by the individuals on fuels that are purchased not for on-road uses. In this case, the SIN is used as a government account number.
• Labor Adjustment Benefits Act: The Labor Adjustment Review Board requires individuals’ SINs, who aged between 56- and-65-years under the Labor Adjustment Benefits Program. This is a program that offers financial benefits to the afore-mentioned age group people who have lost their jobs.
• Farm Income Protection Act: Agricultural producers or farmers in Canada are required to provide their SINs to the Agricultural and Agri-Food Canada for availing income assistance. The SIN is used to verify whether the information provided to the afore-mentioned department match the information provided to the Canada Revenue Agency for income tax purposes.
• Canadian Wheat Board Act: The Wheat Board in Canada requires the SIN for maintaining a record of the wheat and barley growers’ delivery and sale of their products.

Apart from these, the Elections Canada also uses the SIN.

No matter whether you are a Canadian resident or a prospective immigrant to Canada for work purpose, this write up will help you learn a few important things about the country’s income tax regulations. Income tax filing in Canada is one of the most important aspects that needs your attention when you set to work in Canada. Here, we will throw the lights on few basics of the Canadian Income Tax.

The Canada Revenue Agency requires its residents to file for a tax return for the previous year. In certain cases, Canada may also require international and non-resident individuals to file an income tax return. This means the entitled individuals are needed to file for the return to pay the accurate amount of income tax owed to them; to avail a various benefits, including the benefits under the Old Age Security Program; and to pay back overpayment of the benefits, like employment insurance.

For your information, usually the deadline for filing income taxes in Canada is midnight of April 30. In case, if you owe income tax and delay in your filing for the return, you may be asked for penalty and interest on the unpaid amount by the Canada Revenue Agency.

Before filing your Income Tax Return, make sure you have the following things with you:

• Your Canadian Social Insurance Number.
• Self-employment income information.
• Various tax information slips, including slips from your employer; slips from the Canada Revenue Agency for the amount of income you received and how much was deducted.
• Tax deduction receipts.

You can file an Income Tax Return through a number of ways. It is up to you as to which way it would be convenient for you. You can do this through any of the ways- by mail, where the only cost involved is just a stamp; or by Touch-tone Phone, called TELEFIL; NETFILE, which is via Internet; or EFILE, where you prepare the income tax return by your own and take it to a service provider in order to process it electronically.

Before we go into detail about the Canadian Social Insurance Number, let’s give you a brief introduction of the same. Well, Canadian Social Insurance Number is used as a unique piece of identification. It is a confidential number pertaining a Canadian citizen’s personal information. It is a thing to be treated with utmost care. Now, here are a few things that you should know about the Social Insurance Number.

Though the Canadian SIN was initially created to administer federal programs, today it is needed for a variety of purposes, including various income and tax related purposes. To be precise, the federal government in Canada uses the number to carry out certain government programs. Originally, it was used for programs like Pension Plan and unemployment insurance programs.

You will need the SIN in order to work in Canada, so that you could file taxes, as well as receive various Canadian governments’ benefits. However, not all government departments in Canada are authorized to collect your SIN. Banks can also use the number for income related purposes. Below are a few usage of the SIN:

• The SIN comes into play when it comes to insurable/pensionable job or employment. You are required to show your Social Insurance Card within 3 days from the date of joining a job.
• The SIN is used to file your income taxes. You may be asked to provide the number by federal, provincial, as well as municipal government agencies, whichever is applicable or which makes income tax information for you!
• You may be required to provide the SIN to banks and other financial unions.
• Any other authorized federal government agencies in Canada may ask you for your SIN.

Be always careful in providing your SIN to any agency or department. Whenever you are asked for the same, always make sure if it is required indeed by law. Never forget to ask the agency for what purpose they need your SIN. If you find that any other piece of identification would work for the purpose, then avoid providing your Social Insurance Number. Once you are provided with a SIN, it is your duty to take care of it. Be always watchful when using it!

Amongst all the immigration facets like accommodation, employment, settling down, post-landing issues and so on, taxes are another critical issue that new residents to Canada must know before moving to the country. The information in this blog throws some light on tax payment in Canada, but it is generalized information and should not be taken as legal words.

Tax revenues open a pathway for the new immigrants to avail facilities like health facilities, public utilities and so on. Therefore it is the responsibility of every citizen to pay tax on time. You can file the tax through tax preparation companies or visit Canada Revenue Office to know more about the taxes associated with your income.

Residents of Canada are taxed on the basis of their income, as it is a must to show the assets and liabilities due in one’s balance sheet in order to show a proof of your income status. For this, it is essential for you to keep a record of all the bank statements, salary slips and other financial documents before filing the tax return. If you have any property, attaching the documents of the same becomes an essential part of filing your tax returns.

It is mandatory for you to get a SIN as soon as you move to Canada. SIN identifies for Social Insurance Number and is a must to avail the vital services in Canada. GST credit is given to the eligible new residents who file their annual taxes (FORM RC151). In addition there are other benefits such as scholarships, Canada Child Tax Benefit Application, to name a few, which are awarded to the qualifying candidates. To know more, consult an Immigration and Visa adviser today.

After gaining the PR Status in Canada, it is mandatory that the migrant must apply for the following:

• A Permanent Resident Card: once acquiring the status of a Permanent Resident in Canada, you become eligible to get a Permanent Resident Card, which would be provided to you, free of cost. It is a wallet sized card that is essential for all the migrants living as Permanent residents in Canada (every country has its own mandates). It expires after every 5 years.
• SIN Card: SIN stands for Social Insurance Number and is required to work in Canada. So you are required to apply for the same as soon as possible in order to start your professional career. Ensure that you have a PR Card and a confirmation of PR and Visa counterfoil before applying for a SIN Card. Also make sure that you have all the documentation required to apply for the card. Consult an Immigration veteran to know more about it.*Applicants can apply for a SIN Card at any Service Canada Center.
  *(Never reveal your SIN Card Number to anyone!)
• The Health Card: it allows access to the health care facilities provided by the Canadian government. As a PR, you are eligible for various health care facilities. Everyone must have their own health cards, including all your family members. Certain services are not covered in Health care and for that it is advised to take a Private Health Card!

For other important documents, IDs and paperwork required after landing in Canada, consult an Immigration and Visa guide now!

Now that you have arrived in Canada, certain mandatory requirements are a must to be fulfilled. The initial culture shock of the new place would make it a difficult for you to settle down. But, worry not! The service of an immigration and visa specialist is an important guiding factor at this stage.

You would need to find a job for yourself so that you can support self and dependents. Along with this, comes chalking out a suitable accommodation. The following details would help you with the same –

Apply for a Canadian identification which includes a driver’s license, a health insurance card which are mandatory to be carried at all times.
Open a local bank account, apply for private health insurance incase you do not qualify for the immediate public health insurance coverage of the local province.
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) has to be applied for.
Last but the not least, start searching for a job.

In your initial days of landing, you can prioritize the below mentioned activities as the major ones –

Look for accommodation and housing options.
Get accustomed to the local area. It would be ideal if you go through a map and find out about the various modes of transportation available.
Exchange money to get and use the Canadian currency.
Get your hand on a local telephone and make a record of all the telephone numbers that are important.
Get to know more about Canada and enroll your children to an appropriate school.

The first few months should see you doing the following –

Work on your language and communication skills.
Register with a doctor in the community.
Immunize your children.
Know more about the various services offered in your local community which is now your home.
Get in touch with the Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) assessment centre in your community. It is suggested that you enroll yourself for language classes.
Apply for tax and the various tax benefits and other credits.

As time passes and you get acclimatized to your surroundings, you can slowly learn more about your rights and responsibilities as put forth by the Canadian laws.

Above all, it is best to consult an Immigration and Visa firm where the consultants would see to it that you go through a smooth ride post landing in Canada.

Now that you have landed in the new country, there would be many changes you would experience, some expected and others unexpected. This article gives you an insight on such instances.

It is always better to get acquainted with the changes you would need to adapt to. To help you with this, consult an Immigration and Visa Specialist who is adept with all the information in this regard. A Visa Expert would provide you with all the relevant information which would help you better adjust with your new environment. And the more you learn, the better it is.

Since, it is going to be extremely challenging dealing with the extreme weather or the culture shock, it is highly important that you are mentally prepared for the same. Some such challenges include the following:

• Canada could be considered as a mix of cultures where you can find people from different ethnicities from across the world. Thus, you would meet people totally different from you in all aspects. You would have to get used to the local customs and traditions followed by the citizens.
• You might end up feeling uncomfortable, alienated, insecure and uncertain of the decision you took. This would lead to an increase in your stress levels. You might feel helpless and how to react to situations initially.
• You might have to get used to the Canadian accent or even learn English or French according to the province in which you reside.
• Getting your children enrolled into a school, get yourself a job and a house to live in a decent community.

During such circumstances, it is important that you do not give up hope. It is all a matter of time for you to adjust to the new country. All you need to do is keep trying and learn at every step.

A Visa Veteran would help you contact an Immigrant – Serving Organization which would help you with the necessary resources to cope with the circumstances.

The Canadian government offers various services to all the newly landed immigrants on its soil. These are executed via the Immigrant Serving Agencies or organization in the various communities throughout the country.

For some of the provinces, the respective provincial governments are responsible are implementing such programs. These include British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba. You can contact the concerned provincial authorities to know more on the same.

The various Immigrant Serving Organizations cater to the following services –

• Getting in touch with the local Canadian officials who could help with the various services.
• Housing and accommodation facilities.
• Applying for the Social Insurance Number (SIN) and a Health Insurance Card.
• Register with a Doctor to rush to incase of emergency.
• Helping to enroll your children in a good school.
• Availing language skills classes.
• Referring to the services offered by the government and the community.
• Making you familiar with the day to day activities such shopping, banking and so on.

To know more, contact an Immigration and Visa veteran who is updated in this regard. He would help you find an Immigrant – Serving Organization in your community which will make it easier for you and your family to better acquaint with the new country.

Jobless people in Canada can find some ease in this article. With the Employment Insurance (earlier known as the Unemployment Insurance) by your side, you would hardly find yourself in any financial despair in Canada.

Canadian workers pay some amount in the Central Fund. In the later stages, when these workers leave their jobs or are unable to continue with their work, they can draw the same in accordance with their earlier made contributions. The amount received as an Employment Insurance depends upon the previous salary of the applicant as well as on the unemployment rate.

The financial aid was first attempted in the year 1935 and holds tremendous importance for places that have higher rates of unemployment. Here is a list of benefits associated with the Employment Insurance:

• Regular Employment Insurance benefits: These benefits are for those who are currently available for work but lost their jobs without their fault. For example due to seasonal lay-offs and so on.
• Maternity, Parental and Sickness benefits: As the name suggests, those who are pregnant, performing their parental duties for the newborn or adopted child or sick can avail these benefits. You are required to fulfill mandatory conditions such as showing a proof that your regular weekly earnings are reduced by more than 40% and so on.
• Compassionate Care benefits: The benefits are for those who have to miss their work for a dying relative. The benefit came into existence on January 4, 2004, when eligible applicants who are absent from their jobs to take care of a gravely ill relative; can get up to six weeks of employment insurance benefit for a time span of six years.
• Fishing benefits: A fisher by profession is a self employed person. But if you are not self-employed and are in the fishing occupation, then you can avail the Employment Insurance benefits.

When you should submit the application? It would be a wise option to apply for the Insurance as soon as you become unemployed otherwise there are chances that you may miss out on some key benefits.

Documentation

While making the application, you are required to show mandatory documents like your Social Insurance Number, Personal Identification, Record of Employment, Bank statements, Employment Details, Medical Certificate (If you are seeking sickness benefits) and Adoption Certificate (provided you are an adoptive parent).

*The documentation required may vary in the case of online registration.

Rules to Avail Employment Insurance

The applicant is required to fulfill the following mandatory conditions while applying for the same:

• You should be willing and able to work.
• You should be in a process of job seeking exercise and should have a record of the employers you have contacted (Date and Time of contact).
• Keep a record of the money earned when on Employment Insurance and report the same on schedule.
• Report all money earned (That includes your self-employment earnings too).
• Report when you are not available for work or are absent from your residence.

So if you have paid Canadian Employment Insurance premiums and are unemployed, it is best to apply for Employment Insurance as soon as possible.

Also, to claim employment insurance, it is mandatory to be a Canadian Citizen or have a Permanent Resident card. It would be a wise option to hire the services of an experienced Immigration and Visa consultant and secure a hassle free future for you and your family in Canada!