Canadian now in USA Taxes?

[FaK 0]

So we are happily living in USA thank God! I am the Canadian Citizen I had applied for Candian Immig for my wife (US Citizen) because it was taking too long for my US process (2 + years) when I finally did get the green card I moved to USA and we did not do anything about the Candian PR Visa that was approved for my wife.

Now with the Tax season in the horizon what steps do I need to take for my Canadian taxes? I had been filing for taxes in Canada as married (and applied for Candian PR for wife). Now what do i do? Id appreciate all the help.

Thanks,

FaK

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You need to notify Canada Revenue Agency that you are now living in the US permanently (or at least you have given up your Canadian residency for the time being). They will then send you the appropriate tax package to your US address - it is the same package you would file in Canada). At the beginning it has a place where you put the date you left Canada. If you had no income from Canada after that date then your taxes and credits are pro-rated to that date. You would file your tax return at the International Tax Office in Ottawa who would process it. You will need to do your Canadian taxes prior to your US taxes as you can use some of your Canadian tax information with your US return (ie. declare world income in the US and take an international tax credit to avoid double taxation).

There is an excellent booklet from CRC about taxes and emigrating at this link (along with other useful links:) http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/ndvdls/menu-eng.html

You may also find it a good idea to purchase one of the big Tax Guides for US taxes that are on sale in the US. Be prepared that you will need to consider both your Canadian and US taxes as intertwined for this first year and make the appropriate adjustments and claims.

One good thing to remember - Canada taxes on where its citizens are resident - in Canada; US taxes its citizens wherever they are resident so if you do relocate to Canada in the future, your wife would still have to file a US tax return.

Edited December 26, 2008 by Kathryn41

[Flames9_RN 358]

Check out the Canada WIKI VJ page http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada

As well search out posts from VJ memeber Ziggy, he has posted a lot of tax info.

And search out http://forums.serbinski.com/ (which is on Wiki) its a tax forum

[♥Stiggy♥ 0]

So if you have no Canadian income for a tax year, you still have to file the following year? Hope you dont have to pay anything in two countries

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You need to file an 'exit' return to Canada Revenue Agency even if you have no income I would think. This officially advises them that they no longer need to consider you a resident of Canada for income tax purposes. Sure makes for an easy return if you have no income! There are tax treaties between Canada and the US (and many other countries) that allows each to recognize taxation requirements with the other and to make allowances by filing specific forms to ensure there isn't double taxation.