PR and Revenue Canada

[SCouch]

When you are granted PR status, do you then fall under the jurisdiction of Revenue Canada? I have a business in the US and I pay taxes in the US. I understand the tax treaty situation but this seems like a lot of unneccessary paperwork. I'm a US lady with a Canadian boyfriend. Frankly I'm tired of being "interrogated" every time I come to Canada. The IO pushes PR status and it makes me wonder if it's all about the money and taxes that Canada is after. Any comments on this issue? Sharon

 

[Leon]

It depends on if you actually live in Canada. If you are in Canada for less than half of the year and you do not own assets in Canada, I don't believe you are required to file taxes. If you are not considering living and working in Canada in the future, you don't really need a PR but to be able to cross the border with less hassle, you could look into getting a Nexus card, see http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/nexus_prog/nexus.xml

 

[SCouch]

Leon - thank you for your reply and I will definitely get a card, however I don't think the card will make it any easier to convince an IO that my home is in Atlanta and it doesn't matter how many times I come to Canada or how long I stay. I don't know why they think I'm trying to "sneak" into this country. I don't need social services, don't need OHIP, don't need a job here and I spend plenty of money and I pay all the taxes. So why can't I come and go and stay as long as I want to stay? When I get homesick I go home for a while. I'm 66 years old! I just want to enjoy boyfriend for as long as I can without all the immigration hassles.

 

[Leon]

I think the idea of the Nexus card is that you are a pre-approved trustworthy traveller and that it is supposed to make your border crossings a lot easier. Try it out anyway. Maybe it will make things easier for you.