Canadian/US TurboTax?

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InSearchOf...
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 2:07 pm

Canadian/US TurboTax?

Post by InSearchOf... »

Hello,

I moved to the US in August 2010 under TN status earning T4 income until August and then W2 income after that.

If I purchase the respective Canadian and US versions of TurboTax will both packages be able to take my situation into account?

Also, for my Canadian return do I just put all income up to my emigrante date?

For my US return do I only put in income from my residency/arrival date or all income for the year?

Thank you. This is a very informative site.
JGCA
Posts: 754
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 3:05 pm
Location: Montreal, QC Canada

Post by JGCA »

You could file this way show CND income on T1 in Canada till date of departure file a departure tax return on that date( be careful do not select the option of non resident on tax program since you file as a resident of the province you were resising in before you left Canada and the non refundable tax credits will be pro-rated for the days in Canada)

You then can file a 1040NR for only the W2 income in the US for 2010 since you were only there since Aug 10, but it may not be teh best choice since it will result in more tax than a 1040 full and the software will not support a 1040NR, if teh W2 earnings are small file a manual 1040NR if not do a full 1040 show all the CND income and claim a FTC on form 1116 .
JG
flyingfish
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2011 1:34 am
Location: Seattle

Post by flyingfish »

Hi JGCA,

If I came to US under TN visa in APR and my spouse joined me later in 2010, we must file joint 1040 and then use 2555 to report our Canadian income prior to our departure from Canada, right?

How about filing 1040NR in addition to 1040NR? We need to report the arrival dates in form 1040NR, right?

Since my spouse is on 1-year maternity leave, she wanted to use the time to see if the US life style fits her, she may go back to Canada and continue her work. Is there special concern about her tie to Canada?

Thanks a lot
James Fei
JGCA
Posts: 754
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2010 3:05 pm
Location: Montreal, QC Canada

Post by JGCA »

1) Correct the form 2555 will exempt CND earned income from the US tax return so claim the CND earned income tehn use teh 2555 to exclude it.

2) By treaty you can file a 1040 Dual status and teh 1040 NR will serve as a statement of when you came to the US, but as CNd you can file a full year 1040 MFJ tax return as if you entered teh US on Jan 1 and get the standard deucction not available on teh Dual Status Return

3) If your wife leaves the US for Canada you can still file a 1040 MFJ return and get the benefit of the lowere tax but must report her entire income and claim foreign tax credits, should be okay.
JG
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