Hi,
I am a Canadian citizen living and working in the US and so is my wife. We are both US tax residents for tax purposes.
Last year (2024), my wife invested a bunch of money from her Canadian bank savings (TD Canada Trust) account into a GIC offered by the bank. This GIC matures in 2026. I am curious:
1. Do I need to report interest on the GIC for this year to the IRS?
2. Does the GIC count as a PFIC and thus subject to cumbersome reporting requirements like the TFSA? I saw other posts on this forum saying it does not but just wanted to clarify?
Thank you.
Is a GIC considered a PFIC?
Moderator: Mark T Serbinski CA CPA
Re: Is a GIC considered a PFIC?
FWIW I've asked several cross-border accountants about our Tangerine GIC and all said that a GIC is not considered a PFIC. As for reporting the interest, it was only reported (by the accountant that prepared our return) when the GIC matured and the interest was paid (though that doesn't necessarily mean there aren't other ways of doing it or that it was done correctly...).
also, AFAIK TFSA account itself isn't a PFIC but may be considered a trust and require separate reporting. Although, three different cross-border accountants I've consulted on this have told me that they don't treat TFSAs as a trust.
hope this helps.
also, AFAIK TFSA account itself isn't a PFIC but may be considered a trust and require separate reporting. Although, three different cross-border accountants I've consulted on this have told me that they don't treat TFSAs as a trust.
hope this helps.
Re: Is a GIC considered a PFIC?
Thank you for your help.
The GICs aren't held in a trust and are in a savings account so I assume foreign accounts reporting (form 8938, FATCA) should be enough for this.
With respect to TFSA, it depends on how your TFSA was opened. Some companies like Questrade open it as a trust whereas banks like CIBC, TD, etc. will not unless you opt for investing in the market using the TFSA.
Thank you.
The GICs aren't held in a trust and are in a savings account so I assume foreign accounts reporting (form 8938, FATCA) should be enough for this.
With respect to TFSA, it depends on how your TFSA was opened. Some companies like Questrade open it as a trust whereas banks like CIBC, TD, etc. will not unless you opt for investing in the market using the TFSA.
Thank you.
Re: Is a GIC considered a PFIC?
Currently with Wealthsimple and I'm reading that it is opened as a Trust ... But I've mentioned this to my accountant and they still didn't want to report it as a Trust. My initial reaction was to trust them but I'm re-considering.