2010 Tax thread - For Canada and the U.S.

[trailmix 77]

So i've seen tax questions all over the forum here, just thinking if we all pool our questions and answers it would be helpful

While the thread last year was stellar, it is now long and cumbersome to read through I imagine.

Edited January 30, 2010 by trailmix

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Since no one else is biting...I'll go first!

Question: if I obtain my SSN before my wife files her taxes, will she be able to file as married-joint with me, thus receiving a reduction for the 2009 tax year?

I'm pretty sure the answer is YES to that...but I'd like a bit more feedback if anyone can provide it.

[wmtc 0]

My wife's interview is on 03/11/10 by the time she get her passport back and then get her ssn it might take 2months, i want to wait until she come's here to file my taxes but i think it going to be impossible before the tax deadline.

Another question i had is can i file joint tax return if she does not meet the tax deadline or do i jus go ahead and file married but single tax return im very confused here, can anyone shed some light!!!

Edited January 30, 2010 by wmtc

[ashenflowers 5]

That's how I feel about the E.I. and AOS threads, to be honest.. they're just long and cumbersome. lol

Either way, thanks for making this thread... I have no answers or questions yet, just wanted to say that.

[Malrothien 6]

Since no one else is biting...I'll go first!

Question: if I obtain my SSN before my wife files her taxes, will she be able to file as married-joint with me, thus receiving a reduction for the 2009 tax year?

I'm pretty sure the answer is YES to that...but I'd like a bit more feedback if anyone can provide it.

Yes, she will get a deduction.

My wife's interview is on 03/11/10 by the time she get her passport back and then get her ssn it might take 2months, i want to wait until she come's here to file my taxes but i think it going to be impossible before the tax deadline.

Another question i had is can i file joint tax return if she does not meet the tax deadline or do i jus go ahead and file married but single tax return im very confused here, can anyone shed some light!!!

You can file for an extension for free.

[trailmix 77]

You can file for an extension for free.

But, if you don't actually owe them any money, there is no need to file an extension. Assuming you just have employment income.

Edited January 30, 2010 by trailmix

[Sam and Ben 2]

Oooh, thank you! I agree with Ashen... I've read through most of the other tax thread, but it is incredibly long and perhaps, partly, outdated.

So, this will be the first time I file taxes myself... I usually just hand them off to the woman who does the taxes for my parents' business. Is ufile.ca still the best option for a first- (and last-) timer? Hubby uses TurboTax, but I assume that's a U.S. only program?

Also, regardless of what program I use, I assume I can't efile it? I have to mail it in to the International Tax Office in Ottawa, right?

If so, about how long should I allot myself for mailing time? I know my former employer tends to be a bit lax in sending out T4s.

[trailmix 77]

That's what we did for 2008, used ufile. Filed as non-residents and mailed our return in. It took them a couple of months to process it.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Yeah so for the tax reduction and the marriage thing... Do you have to marry before Jan 1st 2010 to recieve the deduction or is marrying before the tax deadline still allow us to? This is for both the canadian and american side.

[trailmix 77]

Yes, you would have had to marry in 2009 to be able to claim married for that year

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Yes, you would have had to marry in 2009 to be able to claim married for that year

That's what I thought.

Thanks.

[rae_and_scott 1]

Can anyone recommend a good cross-border accountant in the Vancouver area?

Thanks in advance.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

My Canadian accountant claims he can do my final Canadian tax return without any problems, so I'm just going to hand it off to him. I've never done my own taxes and wouldn't know where to begin! Hopefully he doesn't mess it up. If he does then out of sight out of mind...

So, wait, if you file as married you get a tax deduction? How does that work? I don't have any US income for 2009, just my foreign Canadian income, so will that hurt my husband's refund amount?

[Sam and Ben 2]

My Canadian accountant claims he can do my final Canadian tax return without any problems, so I'm just going to hand it off to him. I've never done my own taxes and wouldn't know where to begin! Hopefully he doesn't mess it up. If he does then out of sight out of mind...

So, wait, if you file as married you get a tax deduction? How does that work? I don't have any US income for 2009, just my foreign Canadian income, so will that hurt my husband's refund amount?

I'd just as soon have my regular accountant do my taxes like always, but I just assumed that there'd be signatures and whatnot that would be required, wouldn't there?

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I'd just as soon have my regular accountant do my taxes like always, but I just assumed that there'd be signatures and whatnot that would be required, wouldn't there?

My accountant said we could do it through fax, mail and e-mail. He said that original signatures wouldn't be required. I'm not really sure what he uses or how he does it, but he's always done everything really well for me and my family in the past, so I'm trusting his judgment!

Worse case scenario I have a good excuse to take off to Canada for a few days