Canada Expat Tax Residency Tips Rules 2025

Canada Expat Tax Tip #1– Tax Residency.

If you’re a Canadian living abroad (or planning to), figuring out your residency status with the CRA is essential. It determines what income you must report, and whether you’re taxed on global earnings or just Canadian-source.

Canada Expat Tax Tip #2 - Top Tax Mistakes Expats Make.

From double taxation to missed deadlines, discover the most common tax mistakes expats make – and how to avoid them with smart planning.

Canada Expat Tax Tip #3 – Departure Tax & CGT Rules When Selling Property Abroad.

Canadian expats may owe departure tax (deemed disposition) when leaving Canada or selling foreign property.

🦊 Expat Tax Tip #9 - Tax Residency ≠ Citizenship

One of the biggest mistakes expats make is thinking citizenship and tax residency are the same thing. They’re not.

🦊 Expat Tax Tip #10 –Don’t Forget About Exit Taxes

Some countries impose an “exit tax” when you leave and give up tax residency. This is essentially a capital gains tax on your unrealised gains at the time of departure.

🦊 Expat Tax Tip #11 – Keep Track of Days In & Out

For expats, day counting is everything. Tax residency often depends on how many days you spend inside or outside a country. Missing the count by even a few days can change your entire tax status.

🦊 Expat Tax Tip #12 – Watch Out for Double Social Security Contributions

When working abroad, many expats get hit with double social security payments — one in their home country and one in their host country. Unlike income taxes, there isn’t always a credit system to offset this.

🦊 Expat Tax Tip #13 – Inheritance & Estate Taxes Can Follow You Abroad

Expats often assume that moving abroad frees them from inheritance or estate taxes. Unfortunately, many tax authorities still claim rights over your worldwide assets

🦊 Expat Tax Tip #14 – Crypto Isn’t Invisible to Tax Offices

Many expats assume that because crypto wallets are borderless, tax offices won’t notice. In reality, ATO, CRA, and IRS all require crypto reporting — even if the coins never touch your home bank account.

🦊 Expat Tax Tip #15 – How Housing & Travel Allowances Are Taxed

One of the perks of being an expat is often getting housing, travel, or relocation allowances from your employer. But don’t assume these are tax-free!

🦊 Expat Tax Tip #16 – Dividends & Investments Abroad Aren’t Always Tax-Free

Expats often hold shares or ETFs overseas and assume that dividends are only taxed where they’re earned. In reality, most countries tax dividends twice — once at source, once at home.

🦊 Expat Tax Tip #17 – How Stock Options & RSUs Are Taxed When You Move Abroad

Equity compensation is one of the trickiest parts of expat life. When you’re granted stock options or RSUs (restricted stock units), the tax office may treat them differently depending on where you were living when they vested or exercised.

🦊 Expat Tax Tip #18 – Departure Tax & Capital Gains When Leaving a Country

Leaving your home country doesn’t mean leaving tax behind! Many tax offices apply departure tax or capital gains rules when you give up residency. These rules often treat you as though you sold certain assets the day before you leave.

🦊 Expat Tax Tip #19 – Inheritance, Estate & Gift Taxes for Expats

Many expats assume that inheritance, estate, or gift taxes won’t apply if they live overseas. Unfortunately, multiple countries may claim taxing rights — both your home country and your host country. That’s why it’s critical to know the rules where you live and where your assets or heirs are located.