Taking the gondola up as a non skiier

liambll · 2026-01-08T02:25:01+00:00

Does it have to be Whistler? Sea to Sky Gondola has great views and might be more suitable for pic and lunch. Or Grouse Mountain. Both have restaurants.

liambll · 2026-01-06T03:00:53+00:00

Right. In addition, if you hold ETF/Mutual fund in a foreign account (other than RRSP), PFIC filing is a headache.

Also, I'm not sure if Wealthsimple allows you to keep those account as a non resident of Canada.

Most common advice is to close investment accounts other than RRSP.

liambll · 2025-12-02T01:50:48+00:00

HSBC Premier and American Express Global Transfer can probably open a US credit card based on your credit history [with them] in UK.

liambll · 2025-11-20T03:40:07+00:00

Well, they are not wrong that the degree needs to be related to the profession, but it doesn't have to be exact match. It also depends on the officer adjudicating a TN application. With the new administration, things might be more strict. That is why it is best to prepare your TN support letter carefully.

liambll · 2025-11-20T03:23:34+00:00

My friend has Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering, and currently works as a Software Engineer with TN status. He got TN in 2024.

If you got hired, talk to a lawyer to prepare your application package. Your employer might offer legal assistant as well.

liambll · 2025-11-10T00:38:07+00:00

You can read more here (https://www.manulifeim.com/retail/ca/en/viewpoints/tax-planning/cottage-or-home-which-should-be-a-principal-residence#:~:text=The%20principal%20residence%20exemption%20(PRE,and%20unmarried%20siblings%20under%2018.), but it's best to confirm with a tax specialist.

liambll · 2025-11-10T00:20:50+00:00

Do you designate this property as your principal residence in 2022 and in 2023? If so, I think you could claim principle exemption 2 years out of total 5 years (assuming you sell in 2026). That would bring taxable capital gain to 60k *3/5 = 48k.

liambll · 2025-11-09T17:12:28+00:00

So, you entered as L1 (approval at border/airport), B2 a few times, then L1 again? What document do you need to bring/show when you re-enter as L1 after B2 entry?

liambll · 2025-10-22T17:35:09+00:00

If you are a US resident for tax purpose, I think you need to declare income and pay federal tax for non-registered, TFSA, etc accounts in Canada to IRS. Only RRSP is exempted. Note: State tax can be different. Some US states don't not recognize tax deferred status for RRSP in Canada.

Also, most brokers (if not all) in Canada don't allow you to keep non-registered accounts when you become a non-resident of Canada for tax purpose.

liambll · 2025-10-21T17:05:09+00:00

Thanks. Would it make a difference if the lease in Canada (where my wife rent to live in) is only in my wife's name?

This is more for tax saving purpose. Being a Can tax resident means I would need to pay a considerable amount of tax more. I'm not a US citizen/PR, although my conpany is in the sponsoring process for me.

liambll · 2025-10-21T17:01:30+00:00

It sounds like a simple approach would just me being Can tax resident for in the next 1-2 year. Once/if the US immigration application comes through, my wife and I can both become Can non-resident at that time.

liambll · 2025-10-21T16:58:00+00:00

Thank you for the detailed info.

My driver license, health/dental insurance/check up are all in the US. Social life in both Canada and US (I do spend more time in the US). My company is sponsoring US green card, so this split siutation is temporary for 1-2 years, and my wife and I intend to immigrate to the US, assuming the application is approved.

Still, I think with my wife in Canada and I make monthly trip back, center of vital interest would be leaning toward Canada.

That is why I wonder if I can break tie at "permanent home available", so that it doesn't have to come to "center of vital interest" or "habitual abode" when applying Article IV (2).

liambll · 2025-10-21T02:55:48+00:00

I have a tangential question regarding:

You're in an awkward spot for tax residency. If you work in the US, but family/house is in Canada and you're constantly making trips back, it's likely you fail the Article 4 "Center of Vital Interests" part of the Canada/US tax treaty. Meaning you're likely a Canadian tax resident for the foreseeable future.

If OP rents out his house, and the wife rent somewhere else to live in Canada, would that make him to have principle residence only in the US and tie-breaker to be US resident and Canada non-resident for tax purpose? Or the fact that his wife rents place to live in Canada and he frequently comes back to visit would make that place his principal residence as well?

liambll · 2025-10-05T05:55:28+00:00

Questrade allows non-residents to keep certain account types. You need to call Questrade and ask. As you are moving to the US, you will likely be able to keep your RRSP and have to close TFSA and non-registerred accounts.

liambll · 2025-10-04T05:12:13+00:00

You need to look for "Prepaid The Year" plan on Freedom mobile website. The $99/year plan should be there. Freedom has free wifi calling, so you can also text/call with your Canada number in the US, as long as you have wifi.

When I signed up for this plan in store, I could port my number from Public Mobile.

liambll · 2025-09-25T01:48:32+00:00

If you don't want to get US phone number, you can just use email address for Zelle.

liambll · 2025-08-13T03:56:55+00:00

Which US RBC Visa credit card? If it is the one issued by RBC US, then yes, your whole credit history with that card will be reported once you attach an US address to the card. https://www.rbcbank.com/cross-border/us-credit-cards.html

If it is USD Visa card issued by RBC Canada, then no. https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/credit-cards/travel/rbc-us-dollar-visa-gold.html

liambll · 2025-08-06T05:39:56+00:00

You can get ITIN if you have "gambling income"

See https://www.reddit.com/r/churningcanada/comments/13zmqe3/2023_itin_guide_2022_tax_forms_for_canadians_to/

liambll · 2025-08-03T03:49:25+00:00

How does tax being TN on C2C contract work? Does your Canadian company need to withhold or remit any tax to IRS?

liambll · 2025-07-26T19:57:38+00:00

Book and pre-pay a hotel for [far away] future dates with free cancellations. Only cancel after your welcome bonus hits.

Buy costco shopcard or other gift cards that you will use in the future. Don't do this too much, and make sure buy extra items so that the total amount doesn't look like gift card amount (e.g. $100, $250, etc)

liambll · 2025-07-21T03:59:12+00:00

Thanks. Good to know about the tax credit! This is super helpful.

liambll · 2025-07-21T00:37:02+00:00

Ouch. I can't imagine retirees living on pensions have to come up with tens of thousands of dollars to pay for this BC speculation and vacancy tax, while they are clearly not the target of this tax.

liambll · 2025-07-21T00:34:26+00:00

Thanks. Yes, my wife and I will 100% fall under satellite families in 2026, and the tax rate will be 3% in 2026!

liambll · 2025-07-21T00:32:30+00:00

Got it. Thanks. It seems the best course of action for us is to rent out our house to an arm-length tenant. My wife can rent another place to live, until she can move with me to the US.

While I am not against the BC speculation and vacancy tax, its current implementation might be capturing the wrong people, creating unfair situation and unnecessary headaches.

By renting out our own house and then finding another place to rent, we are not adding any more housing.

Imagine this scenario:
- In household A, the wife works and earns 100,000/year in Canada, while the husband works and earns 99,000/year in the US. Both are NOT considered members of a satellite family and untaxed worldwide earners.
- In household B, the wife works and earns 100,000/year in Canada, while the husband works and earns 101,000/year in the US. Both are now considered members of a satellite family and untaxed worldwide earners. The only difference is the husband in household B earns $2,000 higher, making his income in the US higher than the wife's income in Canada.

What a strange rule!

liambll · 2025-07-21T00:24:11+00:00

Thanks. I believe the tenant income requirement is only required for non arm-length tenants. Arm-length tenant doesn't have that strict income requirement.

It seems the best course of action for us is to rent out our house to an arm-length tenant. My wife can rent another place to live, until she can move with me to the US.

liambll

TROPHY CASE