Living in Canada for 2-3 only while working remotely for US employer

[ahmadka]

I'm currently living and working in the US while on H-1B Visa, but wanted to come to Canada for 2-3 months to explore the job market there. While in Canada, I want to continue working for my US employer remotely. My manager is okay with me working remotely from Canada for 2-3 months. However, my company doesn't have a Canadian branch.

Can I continue to earn US salary the way I'm earning now, or will changes need to be made in some way ?
Also, will I need to file Canadian taxes (which I've never done before) ?

 

[scylla]

What's your status in Canada? Are you a PR? Or not a PR?

 

[KletAnom]

Hi @scylla

Not OP but in a similar situation. I'm a Canadian PR who might need to continue working for a US employer (W2 employee on O work visa) for a short period (1 - 3 months) after landing in Canada. Same questions as OP: How do I file Canadian taxes for 2020 if I'm only on US payroll with usual taxes and deductions (fed, state, fica, etc.)? For US 2020, do I file 1040 or 1040-NR if I move to Canada in June (<180 days). Any other issues you see with this arrangement?

 

[jclarke99]

The following link might be helpful https://hcbtax.com/2019/08/29/canadian-resident-working-for-a-u-s-company/

 

[chs]

Hi @scylla

Not OP but in a similar situation. I'm a Canadian PR who might need to continue working for a US employer (W2 employee on O work visa) for a short period (1 - 3 months) after landing in Canada. Same questions as OP: How do I file Canadian taxes for 2020 if I'm only on US payroll with usual taxes and deductions (fed, state, fica, etc.)? For US 2020, do I file 1040 or 1040-NR if I move to Canada in June (<180 days). Any other issues you see with this arrangement?

Your situation is unique enough that I'd cough up a hundred-ish bucks to be legit on the taxes; surely will be worth the peace of mind. I had a similar situation when I moved to Canada from England; my tax load was split between the two countries that year and it was complicated. I did it myself, but wish I hadn't and it wasn't worth the aggro in the end..