Residency dilemma

[Smos]

Hi,
I moved to US in June 2019 on TN visa. Spouse and child moved in Aug 2019.
We have a rental property that was primary residence and RRSPs in Canada.
We had a consultation with a cross-border accountant today and he mentioned that if not sure we are staying in US long term ( which we are not sure). We should file as Canadian residents in Canada and I do a 1040NR in US.
The tax implications of this seems a lot as Canada taxes are much higher. His reasoning was most about RRSP’s being useless if non-residents.
My questions are :
1. Does this seem like a good option to stay as Canadian residents for full 2019?
2. For 2020 can we still file a departure tax although we exited Canada in 2019?

Thank you.

[nelsona]

Bad advice. You left in June, that is your departure.
You cannot fake a date in 2020.

Intent is no longer part of the residency test. You left. when you v=come back, you came back. Between that you are non-resident.

You do need to be having rent tax withheld monthly so should start that NOW. Poor advice not withstanding.

[Smos]

Thanks Nelsona,
We are having rent tax withheld monthly by an agent.
Can you please let me know if possible to file a dual status in US for me and my wife does not file in US since she had no US income? We both will file dep tax in Canada.
Thanks again.

[nelsona]

Yes. How you file in US is not dependent on how you file in canada.