People who certify photocopies must compare the original document to the photocopy, state their official position or title, sign and print their name, give their telephone number and indicate the date they certified the document. They must also write the following statement on the photocopy: This
photocopy is a true copy of the original document which has not been altered in any way.
If a document has information on both sides, both sides must be copied and certified.
You cannot certify photocopies of your own documents, and you cannot ask a relative to do it for you.
Please write your Social Insurance Number on any photocopies that you send us.
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
(Refer to question 12 on the application)
The GIS is a non-taxable monthly benefit paid to residents of Canada who receive an OAS pension and who have little or no other income. GIS payments may begin in the same month as OAS pension payments.
To receive the GIS, you must:
!be 65 years of age or older;
!be a resident of Canada;
!have a low income; and
!be in receipt of the OAS pension.
If you wish to be considered for GIS, please check "yes" in question 12 and we will send you a form with more information. You may also obtain the GIS application form on our Internet site at www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca and mail it with your OAS application.
Allowance
If you qualify for the GIS and have a spouse or common-law partner* between the ages of 60 and 64, he or she may be entitled to receive the Allowance.
The Allowance is a non-taxable monthly benefit paid to the spouse or common-law partner of someone who is receiving the OAS pension and who qualifies for the GIS.
If this is your situation, we will send your spouse or common-law partner a form with more information.
*A common-law partner is a person of the opposite or same sex who has been living with you in a conjugal relationship for at least one year.
Taxes and your pension
Income tax
Your OAS pension is taxable. We will not deduct income tax from your monthly payment unless you request it. Once we have approved your pension, we will send you a letter stating the amount of your pension. It will give you information on how to ask for income tax to be deducted.
You may also obtain the tax deduction request form on our Internet site at www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca and mail it with your application.
Non-Resident Tax
If you live outside Canada, we may deduct a Non-Resident Tax from your monthly OAS pension. The tax rate is 25% of your monthly OAS pension unless you live in a country that has a tax treaty with Canada.