1 Residency and Liability to Tax

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Sarah packed her bags from Montreal to Rome
One-hundred-eighty days beneath Italian stone
But her mortgage payments still flow north each month
Primary ties determine where the taxman hunts
Dwelling place and spouse location, children too
Social connections paint the residency clue

[Chorus]
Two-fifty says you're deemed Canadian bound
Sojourning past the line, tax net comes down
Dwelling test, social ties, where your heart belongs
Economic roots run deep, that's the residency song
Part-year splits the calendar clean
Non-resident source rules keep the borders keen

[Verse 2]
Marcus left Toronto, Sydney called his name
July fifteenth departure, splitting tax year's game
January through July, full Canadian rate
August through December, only Maple Leaf estate
Departure day precision cuts the liability
Source-based income follows where the money flees

[Chorus]
Two-fifty says you're deemed Canadian bound
Sojourning past the line, tax net comes down
Dwelling test, social ties, where your heart belongs
Economic roots run deep, that's the residency song
Part-year splits the calendar clean
Non-resident source rules keep the borders keen

[Bridge]
When treaties clash and countries both claim rights
Tie-breaker rules illuminate the fights
Permanent home first, then personal center
Habitual abode where deeper roots enter
Nationality breaks the final deadlock tie
Tax burden follows where the strongest links apply

[Verse 3]
Non-resident earning rental income streams
Employment wages, business profit schemes
Twenty-five percent withholding at the source
Section two-sixteen starts the collection course
Unless the treaty cuts a different deal
Canadian source taxation keeps it real

[Chorus]
Two-fifty says you're deemed Canadian bound
Sojourning past the line, tax net comes down
Dwelling test, social ties, where your heart belongs
Economic roots run deep, that's the residency song
Part-year splits the calendar clean
Non-resident source rules keep the borders keen

[Outro]
Count your days and map your connections true
Residency determines what the Revenue will do

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