Canada-U.S. Cross-Border Tax Planning Resource Hub

New Ebook - Canadian Deductibility of 401(K) Contributions and U.S. Deductibility of RRSP Contributions A Canadian working in the U.S. may be offered a 401(k) plan with matching contributions by their employer. The plan will lower U.S. taxable income, but what effect will it have on Canadian taxable income? Are the matching contributions taxable in [...]

While it is common knowledge that U.S. citizens and green card holders are responsible for filing U.S. tax returns, most people who move to the U.S. on a non-resident visa – such as a TN, E1 or E2, O-1, L-1 – are unfamiliar with the U.S. tax residency rules that can subject them to U.S. taxation on their worldwide income.

Before Canadians become permanent residents of the U.S., it is important to understand and prepare for the significant differences between these countries as to cross-border financial planning. Mistakes and missed deadlines in these matters can be costly. There are many considerations. Some are obvious, but many are not.

A Canadian inheriting a U.S. IRA faces different tax implications than an inheritance in Canada would generate, namely, income tax and income withholding in the U.S. and income tax in Canada. It may be possible, though, for such a beneficiary to defer taxes in both countries by establishing an Inherited IRA account.

If you are considering moving from Canada to the US, you should plan well in advance—especially for financial and tax considerations. Residency is a key tax issue, and as it is not specifically defined but more inferred by the Canada Revenue Agency, extreme care must be taken to ensure compliance. Cardinal Point specializes in precisely these issues and can offer you a complete checklist of very specific actions to take as you move through this complicated process as well as expertise in both Canadian and US investment opportunities.

A Canadian inheriting a U.S. IRA faces different tax implications than an inheritance in Canada would generate, namely, income tax and income withholding in the U.S. and income tax in Canada…

The Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) is available to all Canadian residents and Americans living in Canada as a tax deduction on the sale of a Qualified Small Business Corporation (QSBC). It is indexed to inflation, and it can be used in part. Three tests must be met to claim an LCGE, and there are complicated regulations governing each of these.

If you have moved from Canada to the U.S., the normal intricacies of tax issues become particularly complicated in certain circumstances.

Canadian citizens are not subject to capital gains tax when they sell their principal residences. Americans selling their homes in Canada, unfortunately, may have to pay the tax. As Terry Ritchie explains in this Globe and Mail video segment, Americans face the tax whether their home is in the United States or Canada. In most […]

In this video clip, Terry Ritchie updates Rob Carrick on the IRS crackdown on Americans who live and work in Canada but haven’t been filing their annual tax returns. There is serious documentation required by U.S. tax authorities regarding financial holdings. Last September, a new program was introduced for Americans living and working abroad: the […]

The tax team at Cardinal Point Capital Management has put together a few highlights of what is old and what is new for taxes and compliance in the United States this winter of 2023–2024. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is still in play until 2026 and the lower tax rates, higher gift and estate tax exemption and complex foreign reporting are both your planning opportunities and your foreign compliance burden. The SECURE Act 2.0 offers better choices for retirement savings. Clean energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act are fully available for 2023 and forward. Beneficial Ownership Reporting will start in January 2024.

2023 was a busy year of changes for taxation in Canada! Changes to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) are substantial and will affect most taxpayers with capital gains and stock options. The tax team at Cardinal Point Capital Management has put together this letter to explain AMT at a high level and point out some other measures that warrant notice. These other measures include: the First Home Savings Account, anti-flipping rules for principal residences, the Underused Housing Tax, vacant home taxes expanded reporting for all trusts (including bare trusts), enhanced GAAR, and the Mandatory Disclosure Rules. Let’s jump in with the increased limit for withdrawals of EAP (the grant portion) from an RESP.

Currently, the U.S. lifetime gift tax exemption is $12.92 million. Read all about it and learn specific considerations and strategies to make the most of your financial gifts in this article, “How Cross-Border Clients Can Utilize the U.S. Gift Tax Lifetime Exemption before Rules Change.”

The successful transfer of assets to intended beneficiaries according to one’s desires is a vital goal in U.S. estate planning. However, many people – including some less informed and experienced financial and tax planners – often fail to understand the crucial role that is played by 1) the specific way that assets are owned and 2) exactly how they are transferred. Strategizing and planning accordingly is extremely important in order to avoid unwanted tax implications and other obstacles to the transfer of wealth. This article offers valuable insights in that regard, to help ensure that estate plans are structured for maximum benefits to secure one’s financial legacy.

If you are planning to relocate from Canada to the United States, you will still want to hold on to the wealth potential of Canadian investment accounts. But there are special considerations and tax planning strategies for those who have Registered Retirement Savings Plans, Registered Retirement Income Funds, Locked-In Retirement Accounts, and/or Life Income Funds. This insightful article provides an overview of the applicable rules and regulations along with key strategies for optimizing your tax and wealth management planning. It also describes the kind of tax reporting that may be mandatory to ensure full compliance with the laws of both Canada and the U.S.

Cross-border residency may create numerous significant Canadian tax issues for you, in both countries. That’s increasingly important since many people now work remotely across borders. Certain criteria are used to determine Canadian residency for tax purposes, but filing official forms to determine your tax status may also trigger reviews or audits that are not in your best interest. On the other hand, cross-border taxpayers may avoid double taxation thanks to treaties other countries sign with Canada. Tax rules are always complex, and those involving dual residency can be extremely complicated. That is why insight from an expert cross-border tax planning professional is strongly advised.