Are earnings in a U.S. 401 k tax deferred in Canada?

[Alex]

How are the earnings inside the 401 k treated for Canadian tax purposes? Are they tax deferred? If so, is the tax deferral automatic or does a treaty election have to be made? If an election is needed are late elections allowed for past years? Thank you. Alex

[nelsona]

Yes, the deferral is automatic.

The only thang that is not automatic is a Roth deferral, and that requires election or paying of tax.

[Alex]

Thanks very much for this helpful answer.

I've been living in Canada for over 10 years now. I have the 401k from before that. Has it always been automatically deferred or is that a recent policy/treaty negotiation?

[nelsona]

C'mon.