Canadian in USA & CRA

This is our main tax information forum which deals with topics concerning Canadians living and working in the U.S., U.S. citizens contemplating working in Canada, and all aspects of Canadian and U.S. income tax and related adminstrative issues.

Moderator: Mark T Serbinski CA CPA

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john09
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:07 pm

Canadian in USA & CRA

Post by john09 »

Hello,

I am a canadian citizen who left last year 2015 to USA as permanent resident, i worked only in Canada in 2015 before i left, I know i need to file canadian taxes to get any refund and also let them know i have left, but every software i downloaded from CRA site to prepare my taxes online doesn't allow me to mention i am no longer a canadian resident and indicate my new US address, do i just print out the returns and add a note that i am no longer a resident for tax purposes in Canada and state my departure date?
does anyone know of a different software, even if i pay, that can be useful besides the free ones i downloaded from CRA site?

Thanks in Advance,
SM
Posts: 94
Joined: Fri Mar 20, 2015 3:43 pm

Post by SM »

Ufile should have no problem handling this. To notify CRA that you are no longer a resident, all you need to do is enter your departure date on the return. This date will also be used to calculate your basic personal exemption (it may need to be prorated); so make sure you do enter a date on the software.

Make sure you are also compliant with all of the proper departure forms; T1161, T1243, etc (if applicable to your situation).

Entering your US address on any Canadian software is always tricky. I normally just put the state, zip code and USA all on the province line, but this is with Intuit Profile. Not sure how this will work on Ufile.

Departure returns can never be efiled they have to be mailed, so you may just have to manually put the address on after you print the return.
john09
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:07 pm

Post by john09 »

Thanks SM for the response and the tips,

I have one question, under "Enter your province or territory of residence on December 31, 2015:"
do i just put other or i put USA? if i put BC it will technically be false, si i am thinking i can generate the return with "BC" and write over it at the end "Other" or "USA"
Any suggestions?

Tha nks in advance,
john09
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:07 pm

Post by john09 »

In Ufile if i choose "non-resident" instead of a canadian province, i dont get to any option to write my departure date
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nelsona
Posts: 18704
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 2:33 pm
Location: Nowhere, man

Post by nelsona »

If you left Canada in 2015, YOU CANNOT BE NON-RESIDENT FOR 2015. That is only for those who have already left and are were non-resident for the entire year.

You file a return for the province you last lived in, and indicate the departure date. For emigrants, "Dec 31" translates to "the last day of Cdn residence".
After 20 years, I am severely cutting back on responses. Do not ask specifically for my help. There are a few others on this board that can answer most questions. All the best
john09
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:07 pm

Post by john09 »

Thanks Nelsona,

That is very helpful, i have to say that a tweak in the question wording in the form can be useful :)
john09
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:07 pm

Post by john09 »

Any tips on how to file with the IRS as a dual status, any software i can use or forms i can fill out, i think i have to file both the 1040 and 1040NR(EZ), i didnt make any money once i came to the US in 2015 as PR
john09
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:07 pm

Post by john09 »

Any tips on how to file with the IRS as a dual status, any software i can use or forms i can fill out, i think i have to file both the 1040 and 1040NR(EZ), i didnt make any money once i came to the US in 2015 as PR.
I need to file for 2 reasons:
1) since i have to anyway
2) also so i can submit the Tax return to the healthcare.gov people as proof of my financial status & income on 2015 "they require it for some reason for my current Obamacare plan", i am still unemployed & dont qualify for any emdicaid or anything like that
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