Serbinski Accounting Firms

Well, obviously.
Thanks very much for the advice.

As to why they would make me pay up front - they said I would be paying installment(s) if I didn't, and this would save the hassle.

I will take your advice in the 2nd comment to heart.
Not the advice I got from the current accountant - they said don't file for 2014 - apparently they forgot they ...

Your help is much appreciated.

That leaves me with 2014 US return. I get it - I shouldn't be filing in the US anyways.
However when they did my 2013 return I had paid substantial installments in 2013 (due to the high taxes paid in 2012), and since they only claimed what I made while in the US I ...

I guess this is where the confusion comes in.
When I work in Canada I turn in an invoice to the US firm that sends me a check.
I work for an hourly fee.
When I work in the US I do exactly the same, other than I am at one of the client's facilities for the work and staying in a hotel. I turn in ...

Well, in every year (2010 - 2013) I received a request for more information from the CRA. In each year they requested my US tax return and my professional dues receipts. In each year I sent them the information, and in each year they accepted the information and allowed the Foreign tax exemption ...

I should probably also mention:
In 2010 I was still with the Canadian Subsidiary doing some work for the US Entity in the US (still < 183 test). The US Entity got me an L1B, and had another Canadian accounting firm (large one) do my taxes for me. I paid US tax on 1040NR with them, claiming the US ...

The first accountant was the only one in the smallish city I was living that would do US taxes, and of course he assured me he did them all the time.
Then I moved to a larger city, and the accounting firm I went to is quite large.
I'm just a stupid consultant, so what do I know?

In any case, your ...

As far as am I a contractor - I don't really what the rules are?

Addressing the last line first:
Obviously neither of these accountants ever said I didn't have to pay US taxes on the business income.
I had income from a Canadian company in 2011/2012 (basically continuance - the plant closed and I took a package) and paid normal Canadian income tax on that income ...

I should qualify something.
On the 1040 returns my Canadian income was claimed on line 7, and my business income (all of it) on line 12. Then my Canadian income was backed out on line 21 based on Form 2555.
So I paid US tax on my business income.

I changed accountants last year. When the new accountants reviewed my 2011/2012 tax returns they indicated I was filed with the US using the wrong form (1040). They did my 2013 return using 1040NR, and only claimed the income made while physically in the US.

On the 2011/2012 returns that accountant ...

Hi:
I'm Canadian - live/work in Canada - work some of the time under TN in US. Accountant filed my US taxes incorrectly for 2011 and 2012 under 1040 instead of 1040NR and claimed all business income for the year instead of just earnings while in the US. Discovered this when changed accountants for ...

They are not withholding.

I will specify 1099 vs W-2 to them.

So I don't have to file anything with the IRS?

Thanks for the reply. I'm finding this a little confusing. Let's see if I understand:

I should ask the employer not to issue a W2 and not to withhold anything, and since I don't have a US SSN they wouldn't be able to do that anyways.

They should issue a 1099.
Should the 1099 be only for payment ...

I am receiving 2 year severance continuance from a Canadian company, leading to pension in 2013. Essentially being paid as usual with CPP, UI and income tax withhead.
I am also now working essentially full time by a US consulting agency at an hourly rate plus expenses doing consulting work. I work ...