When you travel between the United States and Canada crossing the border is pretty easy. You may have to stop and talk to the border crossing agent (depending upon which side you are on) and answer a few questions. The goal is to make it somewhat simple and easy for people who want to visit the other country since the US and Canada shares a border.
If you are planning to move from the United States to Canada, however, it is a different story. When you move a large number of goods—with an equivalently high monetary value—you will probably need to apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITN).
What is the Individual Tax Number?
In the United States you receive a Social Security Number at birth or at the time you are sworn in as a citizen (if you have moved to the United States from another country and have gone through the naturalization process). You need the SSN to participate in the various federal benefits available to US citizens. In Canada, you receive a Social Insurance Number at birth. However, if you immigrate to Canada you will apply for an Individual Tax Number in order to receive Canada’s equivalent of the US federal tax benefits.
Why Do You Need An Individual Tax Number?
As mentioned above you are going to need to apply for an Individual Tax Number (ITN) if you are planning to move to Canada and would like to participate in government benefits like income insurance and tax refunds. However, when you import a vehicle you will need an ITN too. You need an itn number Canada for vehicle importation because you have to register something with this much value as an import, as you will need to pay the associated taxes and fees.
International students who have received a scholarship to attend school in Canada must also register for an ITN because that scholarship is considered an “earned income.”
How Do You Get an Individual Tax Number?
The good news is that acquiring your ITN is pretty easy. You simply need to pay a $30 processing fee, fill out an ITN application, and provide the following personal documents:
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- a photocopy of your passport bio data
- a photocopy of your passport with the Canada entry stamps
- study permit (for International students)
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