 |
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
|
Canadian Snowbirds Association
The Canadian Snowbird Association is a 70,000 member, non-profit, non-partison advocacy and member service organization representing Canadian travelers from across the country. The CSA works in partnership with government and business to educate and advocate on behalf of all traveling Canadians, helping to ensure access to safe, healthy travel with no restrictions on freedom of movement.
The CSA relates the following points:
1.) Canadians can stay (at the discretion of U.S. authorities) in the U.S. for no more than 182 days in a 12 month period without a special exemption. This is a U.S. law.
2.) 8840 form or Closer Connection Form – Canadian residents who winter in the United States are technically subject to U.S. federal income tax if they meet or exceed a specific number of days in the U.S. in any one year. This “substantial presence test” is based on a calculation that is completed on the 8840 form related to your travel to the U.S. over the past three years.
It is important to note that becoming a U.S. taxpayer is not conditional on receiving U.S. based income but also by being physically present in the United States for more than a certain time each year. Taxation in the United States is based on world – wide income just as it is in Canada by the Canada Revenue Agency.
Generally speaking, if you consistently spend four (4) months or more each year in the United States, your total score on the “substantial presence test” makes filing the form mandatory to avoid paying U.S. income tax. If your three year calculation score falls below the threshold, it is your choice whether to submit the form or not. The form may be downloaded from our website at www.snowbirds.org. We also recommend that you fill out the 8840 form if you own property in the U.S. Both spouses need to fill out the 8840 form.
3.) We advise members to make a binder before entering the U.S., consisting of the 8840 form, copy of your health insurance, if you have a U.S. bank account it is a good idea to photocopy the last statement. (U.S. customs always wants to know how you will support yourself while in the U.S.) , enclose the last power bill or telephone bill to show customs that your principle residence is in Canada.
4.) If you are stopped by a state trooper they may ask for your proof of insurance on your vehicle. Check with your insurance company for your proof of insurance.
5.) All important documents should have the same name e.g. W. Robert Smith
6.) When you buy automobile insurance make sure it covers the time you will be traveling in the U.S.
7.) With the large insurance claims in the U.S. you should have at least five million liability insurance on your car.
8.) Hot Zone – is the area one hour from the border. If you stayed one hour from the border they might delay you as they check under the car for drugs or money.
9.) Canada and the U.S. do share information. A lady from Canada who winters in Texas extended her stay longer than the 182 days and was flagged going through the border. She was denied entry into the U.S. for five years.
10.) The bigger custom stations have the technology to hear what you are saying in your vehicle one km. from the border.
11.) Always tell the truth at the border with regards to alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs bought in Mexico and improvements to your vehicle, computer etc. If you don’t tell the truth you and they check and find something you could be placed under the watch list and you will be checked each time you enter or leave the U.S and Canada.
12.) Health Insurance – always get health insurance when traveling out of Canada, the provincial governments pay a fraction of the cost that a U.S hospital charges. This year the average cost per day in a U.S. hospital is $13,900.
13.) The custom agents have the last word, what they decide is law so only answer the questions asked of you.
14.) Canadians cannot work in the U.S. unless you have a green card or work visa. Working on a golf course as a marshal is considered working. If you were to be reported you could be expelled from the U.S.
If you have a Canadian Club or Canadians in your park (community) in the south, Then call the CSA office at 1-800-265-3200 and ask for a Director to come to your Park (community) to make a presentation.
*** FREE RETIREMENT KIT – just call our office and ask for a free retirement kit.
Please indicate to our CSA office where you are from.