The Canuck EI Thread

[NikLR 13,227]

Thanks NLR and Lakehouse (Lakehouse, I owe you a private email, thanks so much for the beautiful E-card! ) - so if I understand NLR correctly, my online application WAS accepted and now I just wait for postal mail?? It's frustrating to not be able to follow anything on the Service Canada website. How long does it usually take to get the mail from them??

Interesting about the visa expiration date - I read mine that 'as of endorsement date' the stamp on my CR-1 visa makes it a temp green card good for a year, so Dec 2015. I will follow up/watch for this info.

I would guess that you may have had someone handling your file who wasn't familiar with these types of claims.

Anyway, thanks to you both, I'll let you know how it all proceeds.

Peace all.

Did you pay the ELIS fee?

When the POE endorsed the visa (stamped the passport next to it) there should have been a date written down that would have been 1 year, minus 1 day, from the day you entered and that is when the temporary green card expires. They count the day you enter as 1.

I think it took almost a month to get my mail from Service Canada? But after that you can fax and call. I used a program on my computer called "hello fax" because it's free. (no I don't have an actual fax machine... I scan it and email/fax it.. LOL)

[Sylea 30]

Thanks NLR - yes, I paid the fee and it shows my application for the I-551 as pending. I think I need to update my profile to show my US adddress, etc, but it wants scanned copies of my passport and drivers license to do so. I'll assume that means I should go get my Michigan DL pretty quick as I'm not sure whether lack of any of this information will hold up production of my card.

My additional nightmare as of today, is that the moving company just advised CBP has told them my personal effects cannot be shipped without a copy of the front and back of my actual green card. They will not accept my endorsed CR-1 Visa, even though it says "upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residency for one year'.

I'm completely choked and will now be paying additional storage fees until I get my green card.

As far as my EI claim - I guess I just wait for postal mail now?? The system did say on December 25th that my application had been submitted, but now the Service Canada website just says I cannot access any further information as I am outside of Canada.

If you or anyone has any light to shed on moving my goods, that would be helpful. The only small mercy is that my storage fees are under $10 a day. How long is it taking to get the permanent card and what else do I need to do to expedite it??

Feeling pretty freaked out!

Thanks.

[NikLR 13,227]

Don't worry about the scanned copies. I was able to update (not sure how) without adding scanned copies of anything. But either way , it won't hold up production.

[Sylea 30]

Ok so updated my address and phone number in ELIS, now I guess I just wait and check and check and wait.....

I received my questionnaire from EI, ,completed and faxed it all into the number on the letter, with a copy of my CAD passport showing my endorsed visa.

Can I expect to be able to see any updates on my Service Canada account?? Right now it's saying because I'm outside Canada EI information is not available to me. How long did it take to get a reply from EI once you sent in your completed form?? Should I also mail in my original form?? or is the fax enough??

I've had to say I won't be available to work until February 1st - I'm waiting for my personal effects to be shipped and arrive, hopefully by the end of this month.

What's been the timeline for other folks??

Peace all.

Edited January 8, 2015 by Sylea

[Sylea 30]

Update - just had a lovely conversation with a fellow from Service Canada, after calling to follow up to make sure they received my faxed questionnaire. He was super friendly, and explained the whole process.

We did a report for my first 3 weeks, where he basically said if I wasn't in the process of travelling and moving, would I have been ready and able to work, and I said yes. He said good.

I indicated I have already been making calls and talking to people about work in the area, but that I was waiting for movers to come before I considered myself fully available to work. He said this was fine.

The person handling my claim was away today, but he said I could expect some paperwork in the next week or so.

Always shocked and a very nice surprise to get a friendly helpful government clerk!

Peace.

[JustBreathe 22]

As tax season approaches I am getting anxious about filing Canadian taxes and American taxes since I recieved EI last year while living in the USA.

Can someone who has gone through this please fill me in on what I need to do?

Thank you

[NikLR 13,227]

My Canadian taxes were okay. I didn't get nearly the refund I thought I would but at least it was something. There are a bunch of extra forms you need and they will send you a T4A for your tax return.

For the US taxes you file a form 2555 to have an exemption for your Canadian earnings.

[JustBreathe 22]

thanks for the reply!

what extra forms do I need for Canada? Where is that information found?

[Sylea 30]

My Canadian taxes were okay. I didn't get nearly the refund I thought I would but at least it was something. There are a bunch of extra forms you need and they will send you a T4A for your tax return.

For the US taxes you file a form 2555 to have an exemption for your Canadian earnings.

Hey NLR - did you just file the form 2555 with the IRS on your first year in the US?? I will have to file CAD income tax for 2014 (left my job mid December) so do I qualify for the foreign income exemption?? My husband will be filing his US tax return as 'married filing jointly'.

Just curious if you know.

Peace.

[NikLR 13,227]

You do qualify and if you have any rrsps or accounts that make interest you should use the form. Alao if you worked more in Canada than the usa, like 90% in Canada, you'll get your full refund. There is a special form.

Try this forum too for Canadian/American taxes. http://forums.serbinski.com/viewforum.php?f=2

[kc247 22]

Does anyone know if filing taxes with all this extra stuff is doable on Turbo Tax? That is how my husband usually files. I didn't realize it would be so complicated! I'm assuming EI sends us something for taxes. Does EI count as foreign income just like any money we made while in Canada? I am guessing I have to wait until I get my T4 from my previous job before I can file my US taxes, and whatever EI sends?

[NikLR 13,227]

EI gives you a T4E. I think you may need to download it yourself (i had to dowbload both my t4 and t4e.

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/service/itemized_statements.shtml

[rshree 16]

Hi NLR,

For Canadian tax returns

1. Can we use netfile or only paper returns?

2. my marital status has changed but hubby does not have SIN # & it is me (Canadian) who emigrated to USA. So, in "Non-refundable tax credits" do we get only basic personal amount or do we get spouse amount as well?

3. I called CRA & they said just send us a letter stating your hubby's full name & date of marriage;

I worked in Canada till May 2014 & getting EI since Aug 2014 & have no USA earnings!

I never thought it is going to be so confusing!

[NikLR 13,227]

Hi NLR,

For Canadian tax returns

1. Can we use netfile or only paper returns?

2. my marital status has changed but hubby does not have SIN # & it is me (Canadian) who emigrated to USA. So, in "Non-refundable tax credits" do we get only basic personal amount or do we get spouse amount as well?

3. I called CRA & they said just send us a letter stating your hubby's full name & date of marriage;

I worked in Canada till May 2014 & getting EI since Aug 2014 & have no USA earnings!

I never thought it is going to be so confusing!

1) ONLY paper returns

2) put all 0000 in the SIN number spot. Do not claim your husband's income on your taxes but put down that you are married. You were supposed to report to the CRA that your marital status changed within 30 days.

Also there is a form for if you made more money in Canada than in the USA, then you get a full refund vs a partial.

[rshree 16]

Thanks NLR. I made more money in Canada, of course.

Yes. all the tax return software say that to put 000 in SIN # field. My question is: Do we get extra tax credit based on new marital status with additional family member(spouse) than filing as single in previous tax returns? I mean can I expect more refund?