Canadian living in the USA Sponsoring USA spouse of 17 years questions

[Ponga]

Be aware that becoming a U.S. citizen means that you would be forever taxed on your worldwide income! You wouldn't be double-taxed, thanks to the tax treaty between Canada and the U.S., but it would still be a pain.

Are you finding the border crossing difficult with just your GC? IMHO, that's not the best reason to apply for U.S. citizenship, but it may in fact be for you.

Good luck!

Just discovered this link that indicates those with a Green Card are also required to report worldwide income to the IRS:
http://www.brynmawr.edu/controller/documents/AlienvsNonresidentAlien.htm

 

[cillyx5]

Yup. I'm a Canadian citizen with a green card and have been filing my taxes in Canada every year. I'd look into this, as you may still have to show your option C printout.

Where do the outland applications state that you need to send 4x photos of the principal applicant? I don't see it… What am I missing???!

 

[MilesAway]

Yup. I'm a Canadian citizen with a green card and have been filing my taxes in Canada every year. I'd look into this, as you may still have to show your option C printout.

Where do the outland applications state that you need to send 4x photos of the principal applicant? I don't see it... What am I missing???!

It's in the country-specific guide.http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3910e.pdf

 

[keesio]

Just discovered this link that indicates those with a Green Card are also required to report worldwide income to the IRS:
http://www.brynmawr.edu/controller/documents/AlienvsNonresidentAlien.htm

Yep, Green Card holders are permanent residents of the USA and subject to their tax laws anywhere in the world.

And another wrinkle - "long time" Green Card holders are subject to the same US "exit tax" that US citizens get dinged with when they renounce their citizenship (trying to dump your Green Card status). I'm not sure what "long time" is. I think it is at least over 6 years. But something to think about for all the Canadians who want to hope over to the US and get a green card.

 

[cillyx5]

Holy crap, would have totally missed the document checklist for the immigrant.
Everything I have followed only gave me one document checklist… It's for the sponsor. It includes stuff for the immigrant… Everything but the photos.

THANK YOU.

 

[4Canucks]

when you file your Canadian taxes I am assuming there is a part on there that says you are out of the country?

Yup. I'm a Canadian citizen with a green card and have been filing my taxes in Canada every year. I'd look into this, as you may still have to show your option C printout.

Where do the outland applications state that you need to send 4x photos of the principal applicant? I don't see it... What am I missing???!

 

[OhCanadiana]

Was just going to chime in here to share this and saw keesio already shared the info:

Yep, Green Card holders are permanent residents of the USA and subject to their tax laws anywhere in the world.

And another wrinkle - "long time" Green Card holders are subject to the same US "exit tax" that US citizens get dinged with when they renounce their citizenship (trying to dump your Green Card status). I'm not sure what "long time" is. I think it is at least over 6 years. But something to think about for all the Canadians who want to hope over to the US and get a green card.

IIRC, tax residents for 8 out of last 15 years.

 

[OhCanadiana]

Holy crap, would have totally missed the document checklist for the immigrant.
Everything I have followed only gave me one document checklist... It's for the sponsor. It includes stuff for the immigrant... Everything but the photos.

THANK YOU.

Good you caught it in time

There are three parts: sponsor, applicant, and country-specific requirements. You can get details on all three from the links off of http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp

 

[cillyx5]

I file my taxes by showing that I've filed elsewhere (for me, the USA). They use my US filing info to show that I've made money, and that I've already paid taxes on it. Of the 2 years I've filed, I've never needed to pay any extra in Canada.

As for the form I almost missed… Guess it was just confusing because the sponsor checklist includes everything on the USA checklist apart from 2 things. Totally missed that. Got it now, THANK YOU!!!!

 

[saria1]

Just discovered this link that indicates those with a Green Card are also required to report worldwide income to the IRS:
http://www.brynmawr.edu/controller/documents/AlienvsNonresidentAlien.htm

Sadly Ponga, you are correct.

I did want to mention, if you want to make the border crossings easier, you could always apply for the Nexus cards.