Serbinski Accounting Firms

AS I said, modifying past tax returns ALLOWS them, not FORCES them to look back if they wish.
I wouldn't worry about it; you have a CPA working with you, so seek his advice.

When your accountant put a departure date of 2016, he is doing it the the 2016 return. They will of course revaluate that return, and 2017, 2018, and 2019, as well as *possibly* (but not necessarily) 2013 14 and 16.

At his point, there is nothing that really needs to be done. You are not cheating the system now, and 2013 is a long time ago.

I am not a working cpa, as my signature indicates,

That is correct that a 401(k) (but not an IRA) would reduce taxes in both countries. IRA contribution will only reduce US tax. It will however build a reserve in your IRA that will not be taxed in future when taking it out if a Cdn resident at that time. Your RRSP contributions, assuming you have ro...

Anytime you adjust an old return, they will scrutinize more closely; this is always the case. And it restarts the clock on them being able to look for errors.

The rules are that ANY pension on which SS was not deducted is subject to WEP. This includes even some US pensions. And it is not the entire amount of the pensions that will be "deducted". There is a formula, based on how long you contributed in US, and a maximum reduction. WEP is ALWAYS u...

No, you will get credit for only the 19 years you paid into social security. The Windfall provisions will take into account both your Cdn company pensions AND your QPP/CPP, but not your old age security.

You could CHOOSE to file as a resident, but this would be a more complicated return, and would include spouse. Since you say you end up using all the tax you pay to US as a credit on your CDn return, it is not worth the bother. Continue filing a 1040NR, expalining why you are non-residnt (not be und...

As long as you TELL your RRSP fund management that you are living in a particular US state, and the firm allows full trading, you are good. many people fake a CDn address (not allowed) to fool the banks, because most have at some time in the past, including BMO disallowed trading.

You can put what you want on W-4, it only determines withholding, not final tax.

Federally, Cap gains are taxed based on residency, so they are not taxable in US. You can report the, for clarity, on the NEC portion of the 1040NR, and use 0% as the taxrate.

For Cali, consult their tax guide.

Report them as normal in Canada, using any tax paid in Cali as a credit in canada.

Just to note that allowing you to "hold or sell" is not really a satisfactory solution for most investors. Move to a brokerage that will allow full managing of one's funds. There are quite a few.

btw, the reason I indicated "(still) resident" in Canada is because the criteria for breaking Cdn residency are a little more stringent than making Cdn residency. If you had been living in the US and lived like you are now, there is no doubt you would be a US resident and CDn non-resident,...

If you file in Canada, your stipend is probably taxable in canada.

Closer connection only works when you meet the Sustantail presence test (which a cumulative 3-year long test) but doe NOT spend 183 days in US in any one calendar year. Since that doesn;t apply to you, you then need to rely on the treaty, which allows one to determine that, although they surpass the...