MOVING TO THE U.S. FROM CANADA
Coordinating a move to the U.S. from Canada without a financial transition plan can lead to adverse tax consequences and missed financial planning opportunities.
MOVING TO THE U.S. FROM CANADA
Coordinating a move to the U.S. from Canada without a financial transition plan can lead to adverse tax consequences and missed financial planning opportunities.
Moving to the U.S. from Canada requires thoughtful financial planning strategies that address departure taxes, transitioning assets and investment interests across the border, managing Canadian dollar investment accounts while tax managing them based on the U.S. tax rules, as well as creating a cross-border estate plan. Cardinal Point helps coordinate the financial transition across the border and then continues to oversee the relationship when the move is complete. We focus on assisting clients in the following areas:
- Exit and departure planning strategies to minimize tax and prevent residency questions or issues
- Preparation of Canadian departure tax returns
- Determine best approach to wind up Canadian corporations
- Advice on specific assets that should transfer to the United States or remain in Canada
- Transition of specific Canadian investment accounts to the United States
- Coordinated investment management services for U.S. and Canadian accounts
- Advice on Canadian retirement distribution strategies while residing in the United States
- Holistic advice on cross-border financial and estate planning
- Incorporation of U.S. gift and estate strategies within the financial plan
- U.S. investment and retirement account creation
- Assistance with ongoing cross-border tax planning strategies
- “Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty” advice to avoid double taxation
- Guidance on retirement benefits, such as CPP, OAS, Social Security and Medicare
- Assistance with currency conversion strategies
- Canadian stock option and company bonus plan advice before exiting Canada
- Residential and commercial real estate advice
- Health, life, disability, long-term care, business and property insurance review
- Guidance on the unique economic and regulatory environment in the United States
- Personal and corporate Canada and U.S. tax preparation including annual foreign account disclosure filings
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OUR RECENT PUBLICATIONS
EBook: The Health Savings Account in a Canada-U.S. Context
A good savings or investment account allows you to avoid tax on contributions, income, and distribution. Not all available options meet these goals. For Americans living in the U.S., the Health Savings Account (HSA) does, in certain circumstances. For Americans living in Canada, though, the HSA’s benefits disappear as contributions cannot continue and tax liability opens up in Canada for income in the plan. Similarly for Canadians living in the U.S., benefits cease for Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) and Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs). Take a look at this e-book for more detail on the savings and investment plans available and see how they compare.
Infographic: Can A Foreign Spouse Claim U.S. Social Security?
US Taxation of Your Canadian Rental Home
For Canadians moving to the U.S., the options for their home are to sell it, to keep it as a secondary residence, or to rent it. Each has its pros and cons.
Choosing to rent creates tax and capital gains issues in Canada and in the U.S., ongoing tax filing requirements, and the need for a dependable local property manager. Decisions need to be made in a timely way to maximize available tax exemptions. It is complicated, but it may be a wise choice. Cardinal Point’s cross-border specialists can help you decide if it is right for your specific situation and then show you how to use the Canada/U.S. Tax Treaty provisions to your advantage.