Confusion on first-timer TN CA to USA

[tophernl]

Hi all,

I have browsed the forum for an answer before posting as I do not want to have duplicate topics, and found some similar situations, but with a whole of add'l circumstances that do not apply to me.

I move from Canada to the US (Houston, TX), entered via Montana border crossing on March 18, 2011. I am here on a TN Visa as a Computer Systems Analyst, valid for three years.

Taxes are much less here, and my girlfriend (still in Canada) raised some genuine concerns. I know that I will have to file taxes in both the US and CA, but am confused, and a little worried, about how it's all going to go down. I don't have an RRSPs, investments, etc etc etc. Straight-up income with bank accounts in both countries (and still paying off a loan and financed vehicle in Canada). I fear that because my taxes are about 15% less than what I was paying at my last Canadian job, and because I am on a TN, that I will have to pay that 15% to the Canadian government after I file for the 2011 year.

Can anyone clear this up for me? I haven't had a chance to go see an accountant, and I fear that anyone I see here in Houston isn't going to provide accurate information anyway.

Thanks in advance - it would be great to stay here in TX, but I would be moving back to Canada pretty quickly if I found out that I would have to end up paying $10,000 in owed taxes to the Canadian government.

[nstudent]

As a non-resident of Canada, you don't have to pay interest incomes to Canada, no matter whether your bank is in US or Canada. I just learned this about a week ago.