US outland applicants' thread :)

[keesio]

Cool thanks Mich! ... need to go read about it!

Yes, interesting! I wonder how much Canadian specific content is in there but it is certainly worth a look! thanks!

 

[Mariac819]

also according to my husband, there are accountants at H&R Block who specialize in cross border taxes (at least in ottawa). will be finding out about this come tax time.

Good to know since I am in Ottawa as well!

 

[keesio]

also according to my husband, there are accountants at H&R Block who specialize in cross border taxes (at least in ottawa). will be finding out about this come tax time.

yeah, H&R Block has a few people. But they get booked up really quickly. In Toronto, all the H&R block branches share a small handful of cross-border specialists and you need to book early. When I was looking, I had to wait over a month to book an appointment. I ended up going with another accounting firm but they are expensive. US taxes are big business in Canada so expertise is fairly easy to find in the major cities.

 

[michminn]

I think H&R block is more reputable at least they are in the states. Perhaps taking a course on taxes wouldn't hurt any? May save money in the long run?

We Make U.S. Taxes Easy

We know the tax laws on both sides of the border. We have H&R Block Tax Professionals located across Canada that specialize in U.S. tax law and can help you with your filing requirements, both in the U.S. and Canada.

LOL!! I wish I could post the guys face next to the add, he has a cheesy grin.

 

[Mariac819]

I think H&R block is more reputable at least they are in the states. Perhaps taking a course on taxes wouldn't hurt any? May save money in the long run?

We Make U.S. Taxes Easy

We know the tax laws on both sides of the border. We have H&R Block Tax Professionals located across Canada that specialize in U.S. tax law and can help you with your filing requirements, both in the U.S. and Canada.

LOL!! I wish I could post the guys face next to the add, he has a cheesy grin.

LOL

 

[computergeek]

WHO CARES about becoming a Citizen or not. I am just happy being with the love of my life. IS that all you are in it for? Citizenship? It sure seems like it.

Citizenship permits greater freedom of expression - as a PR we are limited in what we can do and say because if we "get in trouble" we can be deported. While not everyone wishes to participate in their community, some of us do. Citizen's can vote. PRs - who pay taxes and live in the community - are prohibited. Just like criminals are.

You can live as a PR and enjoy your life in peace. Citizenship will come with time. I personally am in no rush. I am a USA Citizen, that is enough for me.

Or not. They've moved the citizenship goal post and made it more difficult for some of us to obtain now - it's a strict physical presence test. My work involves visiting customers all over the world. Canada is my home and when I'm outside the country, it's bringing in revenue that pays people's wages, rents, taxes, etc. The new rules say (to me) that my contributions are not valued as much as sitting on my butt at home in Canada.

I do understand they don't want people to come to Canada and "do nothing". But to discourage those of us that are involved in international business seems myopic.

 

[lokyy]

Citizenship permits greater freedom of expression - as a PR we are limited in what we can do and say because if we "get in trouble" we can be deported. While not everyone wishes to participate in their community, some of us do. Citizen's can vote. PRs - who pay taxes and live in the community - are prohibited. Just like criminals are.

Or not. They've moved the citizenship goal post and made it more difficult for some of us to obtain now - it's a strict physical presence test. My work involves visiting customers all over the world. Canada is my home and when I'm outside the country, it's bringing in revenue that pays people's wages, rents, taxes, etc. The new rules say (to me) that my contributions are not valued as much as sitting on my butt at home in Canada.

I do understand they don't want people to come to Canada and "do nothing". But to discourage those of us that are involved in international business seems myopic.

totally agree...

 

[keesio]

The new rules say (to me) that my contributions are not valued as much as sitting on my butt at home in Canada.

If you are talking about the "intent to reside" clause, I think it has been clarified to mean that you will stay in Canada while your Citizenship application is being processed (instead of getting your 1095 days, submitting your application and then moving away). It is similar to inland applicants or PR sponsors for family sponsorship (will stay in Canada for the duration of processing). If so, then that is not much of a change since CIC has already been giving RQs to people who leave after they apply anyway. I guess they now have a legal avenue to deny applicants instead of just delay them though.

I can't confirm that the above is the case but someone in the Citizenship section of this forum has been saying this and it is someone that is usually on the mark (can't think of the user at the moment).

 

[Mariac819]

Citizenship permits greater freedom of expression - as a PR we are limited in what we can do and say because if we "get in trouble" we can be deported. While not everyone wishes to participate in their community, some of us do. Citizen's can vote. PRs - who pay taxes and live in the community - are prohibited. Just like criminals are.

Or not. They've moved the citizenship goal post and made it more difficult for some of us to obtain now - it's a strict physical presence test. My work involves visiting customers all over the world. Canada is my home and when I'm outside the country, it's bringing in revenue that pays people's wages, rents, taxes, etc. The new rules say (to me) that my contributions are not valued as much as sitting on my butt at home in Canada.

I do understand they don't want people to come to Canada and "do nothing". But to discourage those of us that are involved in international business seems myopic.

See your arguments are educated and logical. Unlike the other person who just insulted the country and provided no intellectual information to back up their comments.

 

[MizAngel]

also according to my husband, there are accountants at H&R Block who specialize in cross border taxes (at least in ottawa). will be finding out about this come tax time.

When I did my taxes at H&R Block last year, they told my husband that for them to file for him, the cost would START at $300 and only went up depending on how complicated it was. Pretty sure we're going to have to pony up and pay that this year

 

[Mariac819]

When I did my taxes at H&R Block last year, they told my husband that for them to file for him, the cost would START at $300 and only went up depending on how complicated it was. Pretty sure we're going to have to pony up and pay that this year

What a rip off

 

[MizAngel]

What a rip off

Yeah. Last year we didn't have to deal with it because he hadn't started working in Canada yet, but he just started working a couple weeks ago so I think we'll probably have them do it this year. I don't think I want to try to figure it out myself.

 

[chala]

Yeah. Last year we didn't have to deal with it because he hadn't started working in Canada yet, but he just started working a couple weeks ago so I think we'll probably have them do it this year. I don't think I want to try to figure it out myself.

Maybe you can try doing it yourself online on the H & R Block website for a small fee. (there is even a no charge version for simple returns). I have done this the last 2 years without any issues. It was fairly straight forward .

 

[scubadive1]

Thank you Maria and RhCohan for your responses. I have been working the past few days and I am just getting back on line.
Confused? Well that it is a way to look at it. I was a little south of sarcastic also. What a quagmire. I spent about 4 hours earlier in the morning that day reading various threads. I learned alot from your responses. I will continue to do homework.

I am trying to develop a plan. So I have a couple of thoughts today.

The first is the U.S. 6 month Visa. On what basis will 6 months of time be granted (i.e. give me a few examples of typical reasons for a 6 month visitor visa request). Can I process this 6 month visa request today, prior to going to the border to assure I get 6 months. Lately I have traveled in by car for 10 days or so, and no stamp was placed in my passport. Another visit I flew in, with a entry date stamp only; no defined end date. So I see no signs of a “traditional” visa with a termination date.

The second is, in terms of common law is it possible to develop compliance under a visa and a visa extension request (and how plausible is a 6 month visa extension request)? In terms of getting married does it matter whether it is in the U.S. or Canada, or wherever? And what would a typical timeframe for PR be for this avenue?

Thanks for entertaining my post.

 

[Mariac819]

Thank you Maria and RhCohan for your responses. I have been working the past few days and I am just getting back on line.
Confused? Well that it is a way to look at it. I was a little south of sarcastic also. What a quagmire. I spent about 4 hours earlier in the morning that day reading various threads. I learned alot from your responses. I will continue to do homework.

I am trying to develop a plan. So I have a couple of thoughts today.

The first is the U.S. 6 month Visa. On what basis will 6 months of time be granted (i.e. give me a few examples of typical reasons for a 6 month visitor visa request). Can I process this 6 month visa request today, prior to going to the border to assure I get 6 months. Lately I have traveled in by car for 10 days or so, and no stamp was placed in my passport. Another visit I flew in, with a entry date stamp only; no defined end date. So I see no signs of a “traditional” visa with a termination date.

The second is, in terms of common law is it possible to develop compliance under a visa and a visa extension request (and how plausible is a 6 month visa extension request)? In terms of getting married does it matter whether it is in the U.S. or Canada, or wherever? And what would a typical timeframe for PR be for this avenue?

Thanks for entertaining my post.

It doesn't matter if you get married in Canada or the USA.