F-1 Student now on TN visa

trep0024 · Post by **trep0024** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 7:10 pm

I originally moved to the United States in August 2005 and recently got employed (January 2011).

All throughout my college years (August 2005 to December 2010) I filed taxes in both Canada and United States (I had a scholarship in the United States and was working back home during the summer). Now that I am working in the United States full time and not earning any type of income back home, do I still have to file taxes in Canada? The only ties I have to Canada are my family, a (very small) RRSP, a checking account, and one Canadian credit card. My health insurance was cancelled and so was my Canadian driver's license.

My second question is, am I exempt from Medicare and Social Security in the U.S. or does my employer still has to deduct both from my paychecks?

Last question, can I file taxes on my own in the U.S.?

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 11:21 pm

You are resident of US, and non-resident of canada, from the day you got your TN. You will fiel a departure return in Canada, following the steps outlined in the Emigrants guide from CRA, including informing your bank and RRSP that you live in uS.

Wehn you say "family" I presume you mean your parents. they are not dependants, so do not count as a tie. The otherties you mention are minor.

You are not exempt from FICA taxes, as you are employeed in US.

There should be no problem prepping your own taxes. Be sure to follw alll the rules for RRSP, FBAR, 8891, etc. Search this site before asking questions.

JGCA · Post by **JGCA** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 8:07 pm

Yes you can do it on your own, but make sure you get software it a lot easier