Non-residents of Canada are subject to 25% withholding tax of the gross rents they receive on Canadian rental properties. By electing under Section 216 of the Canadian Income Tax Act, you only have to pay income tax on your net Canadian rental income, instead of on the gross amount.
On the Section 216 tax return, you can apply the non-resident tax withheld to offset the income taxes payable, which is usually lower. The Canada Revenue Agency will issue you a tax refund for the excess amount of tax withheld.
