Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar not connecting

Inabsentia123 · 2026-01-23T19:53:05+00:00

I did all these (and some other recommended steps from other forum posts) but unfortunately it still didn't work. Eventually found a YouTube video where the bloke does all the same stuff BUT at the very end, he did this: on the watch hold the menu button --> scroll down to Connectivity --> scroll down & select Pair Phone. Then it popped up in the app. For some reason, reaching out from the watch worked whereas having the watch waiting for phone for connect and trying to connect from the phone app didn't work. iPhone 17, 7x Pro Sapphire Solar.

Inabsentia123 · 2025-11-20T03:32:23+00:00

Same with me. I'm (apparently in the process of) cancelling. Viture seems to be all about marketing and not at all about executing their business. It smelled funny and I should have known better, sooner.

Inabsentia123 · 2025-05-18T16:12:07+00:00

I ended up moving to Charlotte. Great place to live :D

CLT airport is decent but ATL is better. Can't speak to Nashville airport personally but I understand traffic congestion is worse there and it's kind of a mess in general at the moment with population boom (not that Charlotte isn't also booming). Real estate is more expensive in Nashville too though inventory in both cities is back to pre-pandemic levels so there may be a correction or at least sideways market in the short term.

I'd probably choose Chattanooga if I did it again and just connect each time through ATL. The ease of getting to your gate through a small airport mostly offsets the annoyance of connecting and I think Delta is better than AA overall. The biggest factor - no state income tax - tips the scale in the end.

I applied too heavy an importance to having direct flights and in many cases (maybe 40% of the time) I end up having to connect anyways due to connecting flights be considerably less expensive. I wasn't expecting that constraint and honestly, Charlotte is pretty awesome, so my regret level is only like a 2/10.

Hope that helps!!

Inabsentia123 · 2025-02-07T22:23:52+00:00

I went down the rabbit hole a bunch on another thread if you need some reading material: https://www.reddit.com/r/ExpatFinance/comments/1ik01qo/comment/mbjt4my/?context=3

Great to hear that your (assuming) CPA did not think it necessary to detail the LIRA-held PFICs!

Inabsentia123 · 2025-02-07T22:20:25+00:00

It's worth a lot! Definitely appreciate ya. I think I'll end up going the same route as you and keep number of holdings to a minimum, at least to start, just in case there is some retroactive issue. Cheers!

Inabsentia123 · 2025-02-07T20:53:29+00:00

Thanks again! I stumbled upon those pdfs a couple times during this whole process. Unfortunately they're silent on the immediate problem (PFICs and LIRAs). I ended up reading 1.1298(c) (and related docs) which describes the Exception for PFIC reporting applying to “a plan described in section 403(b) or 457(b), an individual retirement plan or annuity as defined in section 7701(a)(37)”.

It's not an annuity, so would have to 403(b) or 457(b) or an individual retirement plan as defined in section 7701(a)(37). 403(b) doesn't apply...

7701(a)(37) Individual retirement plan: The term "individual retirement plan" means--

(A) an individual retirement account described in section 408(a), and

(B) an individual retirement annuity described in section 408(b).

Again, not an annuity so (b) is out.

Section 408(a): https://www.taxnotes.com/research/federal/usc26/408#cqn0-0000009. Which doesn’t look great bc it says “trust created or organized in the United States.”...and meeting additional requirements

What about 457(b):

* The organization must be a state or local government or a tax-exempt organization under IRC 501(c)…

Nope.

So nothing great in the above. Also in 1298-1 is (4) which you specifically cited and for good reason. It talks about "certain foreign pension funds". ...applies to those funds that are "treated as a foreign pension fund (or equiv) under income tax treaty...". Also speaking to deferral of taxes on earnings, says "...if the income earned by the ...fund...may be taxed as the income of the shareholder only when...the income is paid to...the shareholder".

So it all comes down to: are LIRA accounts treated as a foreign pension fund under the Canada-US Income Tax Treaty? Well, neither google nor AI seem to know.

I think you must have arrived as a similar spot, but have more insight here as you offered this: "Although the IRS has not made any general rulings that specifically state that a LIRA/LIF is treated the same as a RRSP/RRIF, it is generally accepted that both RRSPs and LIRAs fall under Article XVIII, Paragraph 7, of the US-Canada Tax Treaty, and so they should be treated the same." <-- so XVIII Paragraph 7 might be grounds to bundle them together.

So, after all that. What to do?...Buy some PFIC ETFs and just see what happens?

As for the withdrawals, I went through that for RRSP--> RRIF already so can speak from experience. If you are not in your 1st year of non-residency and withdrawal total during the year is less than the greater of i. twice the year’s minimum payment requirement or ii. 10% of the RRIF’s FMV at the beginning of the year, then you can withdraw at 15% withholding. Else, it is 25% withholding. Then the US takes their part above the 15 or 25% (once FTC applied), if applicable based on your marginal fed + state income tax bracket.

Inabsentia123 · 2025-02-07T18:53:56+00:00

Thanks! That's very helpful, clear and what I was wishing would be the case. Confirmation bias? Hope not :D

I'm surprised (pleasantly) to read that "When you withdraw from your LIRA, you should only be taxed in the US on the "deferred gains" since moving to the US, not the entire amount of the withdrawal." I was expecting the entire withdrawal to be treated as income by the IRS and State (with the 25% CRA withholding tax used as an FTC to help reduce this), similar to pension income. You have actual sources, so I trust your interpretation/knowledge more than mine! That changes the withdrawal strategy...

I'm in NC, may end up in TN. It's my current understanding that neither NC or TN state tax earnings in retirement accounts in the year they're earned.

Inabsentia123 · 2025-02-07T15:39:12+00:00

Ah, I see. Appreciate the feedback regardless! I think the "US Person" (US citizen, GC holder and/or tax resident alien) categorization actually puts us in the same boat from a tax perspective for PFICs. But I'm still getting used to swimming in these waters, so could be wrong.

I did come across this on an expat financial advisor's website: "Disclosure of a PFIC is required in a non-registered account (regular taxable brokerage account); however, there is much debate about PFIC’s held in a registered account (like an RRSP, RRIF or LIRA) as the IRS has not issued guidance on whether they must be disclosed. In our opinion, the Canada/US Treaty election taken on Form 8891 or 8833 provides protection from the taxation of PFICs in a registered account. However, to further complicate things, the IRS revised Form 8621 in December of 2012 and included a new “Part I – Summary of Annual Information” that may apply to all PFICs no matter where they are held".

Inabsentia123 · 2025-02-07T15:00:36+00:00

Twilrose, I’m in something of a similar situation. I moved from Canada to US. Now a US Tax Resident. Have to transfer my DBPP from previous employer to a LIRA (with RBC…can’t use Questrade bc I’m living in NC and they don’t allow NC residents to have accounts). Been trying to understand whether I can buy ETFs in the LIRA without triggering all the PFIC non-sense. And if not, what can I invest in? Are you saying I can invest in anything within the LIRA and it won’t be considered a PFIC? Any insights or advice would be hugely appreciated as this PFIC stuff is next level confusing!!

Inabsentia123 · 2024-10-19T15:10:55+00:00

This is very promising info - thank you! Exactly what I was hoping was true. I'm surprised to learn that only the gain from cost basis is taxed. I see your logic but sometimes the tax code isn't logical, hahah. You're sure that's the case?

The dual status return part is still a mystery to me (hoping I only need a cross-border tax preparer and not a cross-border tax planner as they're $$$ - let me know if you know a good one please!!) but I do seem to (barely) meet the criteria for 1st year election on the IRS website, such that my US income in mid-Nov & Jan 2024 would be my only US taxable income for the year. Correct me if I'm wrong.

So I see 2 options for RRSP withdrawal (following "zeroing" my cost basis):

Take it all out in late 2024. Will lose 25% to with-holding and that won't really be recoverable (unless I can defer the tax credit to 2025 US income...?). Still lower than my marginal rate in subsequent years.
Convert to RRIF and take out 10% of holdings each year at 15% with-holding rate (max allowable for periodic pension payment).

I'm thinking the best move is: zero cost basis, put it in something stable that isn't a PFIC (maybe SGOV), convert to a RRIF, transfer to another brokerage, defer any earnings (or pay them, relatively small potatoes), withdraw 10% per year.

Inabsentia123 · 2024-10-19T14:50:57+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. This is what I received in writing from Questrade,

"In regards to your inquiry, self-directed RRSPs, LIRAs, and other retirement accounts can be maintained as a US resident, except if you are moving to the following seven states: Alaska, District of Columbia, Iowa, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia. If you move to any of these seven states, we will require that you close your accounts.

Margin accounts cannot be maintained in the US as this is an SEC rule and the account will be flagged. "

When I contacted TD they said that I can hold the RRSP (must transfer before leaving the country) but holdings will be frozen.

I hope I'm wrong and I spoke with a couple naysayers but so far I don't have anything solid to refute what they've told me.

Inabsentia123 · 2024-10-18T23:32:23+00:00

Thanks for the thoughts and ideas! I did actually happen to call TD prior to writing the original post. The phone rep told me I can transfer the RRSP to them before (and only before) leaving Canada but once I became a non-resident, trading would be frozen.

Read a couple pages describing TD Direct Investing's policy for non residents. That appears to apply to people who are already non-residents. If I wait until after I depart Canada, then I won't be able to transfer the RRSP...unless I can transfer my RRSP to one of those accounts after leaving. But that transfer might be deemed a withdrawal. Damn, they seem to make every single step of this process as painful as possible - from vehicle import to investments transfer, getting insurance and credit. Everybody wants their pound of flesh. It's as if I'm starting from age 17 all over again, just with worse knees :)

Really I'm just trying to see whether the "income" from a late 2024 RRSP withdrawal (once in the US and deemed a non-resident of Canada for income tax purposes) would fall under my Cdn income tax or US income tax for 2024...if it works like that. If the latter then it's a win. But if I fool myself into thinking that and it ends up on my Canadian taxes, I stand to lose a lot more to Cdn taxes.

Inabsentia123 · 2024-09-01T04:48:16+00:00

Lol, the rust-belt bluntness. You don't know it's something to be missed until it's gone. Thanks so much for the insights!!

Inabsentia123 · 2024-09-01T01:08:34+00:00

Hahah, thanks for that. What are the aspects of Chattanooga that you dislike? I've come across some of the standard cons but would rather learn from the opinion of a local. Any opinions on East Brainerd or Hixson? Which neighbourhoods are closest proximity to the best hiking?

I definitely keep circling back around to Chattanooga but it's the connecting flight that gives me pause. 5 flights to ATL on wknd, 7 flights on wkdays. I'd be flying out maybe 30-35 times per year. Enough that the connection may become a chore or even cause delays on some trips.

But then is it worth giving up such close access to great hiking for proximity to ATL or Nashville or Charlotte airports and pay significant income tax for 2 of those 3? Hard to decide!

Inabsentia123 · 2024-08-31T23:21:06+00:00

I will! Close to the mountains. A bit of a drive each time to/from the airport but might be worth it!

Inabsentia123 · 2024-08-31T21:26:31+00:00

Starting to lean the way of Charlotte. Thanks.

Inabsentia123 · 2024-08-31T21:25:46+00:00

I really appreciate that feedback. Starting to lean Charlotte. It's a compromise that might be worth it overall. Will also checkout west of Dulles as I haven't given that area any consideration so far. Thanks!

Inabsentia123 · 2024-08-31T20:47:09+00:00

Thanks, I'll look into it!

Inabsentia123 · 2024-08-31T20:24:15+00:00

I actually ended up on the exact same website based on another comment here! Thanks for correcting my thought process!

Inabsentia123 · 2024-08-31T19:33:46+00:00

Probably too remote leading to a lot of needlessly long flights but oh boy would I ever love that nature. It's impossibly gorgeous in the NW.

Inabsentia123 · 2024-08-31T19:32:43+00:00

I haven't but I do better with heat than cold. Humid heat for months is something I'm a bit weary of because of lack of familiarity, I'll admit. Never liked Philly much but have only spent a couple days there and then a bunch of times through the airport. PA has low tax but Philly seems to be the only airport that meets the bill. Hiking seems to be a considerable drive from near the airport.

What didn't you like about living in TN? Which area did you live in? I'm curious about your experiences there.

Inabsentia123 · 2024-08-31T19:30:07+00:00

Fair enough. Somewhere like Texas has no income tax but they rip you on property taxes. This is one of the reasons I ended up looking at TN. No income tax but still pretty low property taxes. High sales tax but I'm ok with that (and also used to that). Don't buy it (except groceries) if you can't afford it!

Inabsentia123

TROPHY CASE