mr.cheerful

I have a dilema. I've been offered a job in Detroit, but I would like to live in Windsor, ON to preserve my Canadian PR status. However, I am getting differing opinions as to whether this would count towards my PR days, since I would be commuting over the border each day. Does anyone know?
Thanks. John.

christmasoompa

Is it a transfer from a Canadian company? If so, it would count towards your PR status anyway.

But according to CIC "for the purpose of calculating the number of days to comply with the residency obligation in IRPA A28(2)(a), a day includes a full day or any part of a day that a permanent resident is physically present in Canada. Any part of a day spent in Canada, or otherwise in compliance with A28(2)(a), is to be counted as one full day for the purpose of calculating the 730 days in a five-year period.

So IMO, if you're only working there 9-5 (or probably 7-9 if it's US hours!), then that should count towards your PR.

HTH.

mr.cheerful

Thanks for you reply. It's a German company, with Canadian and US subsidiaries. I'll be paid by the US subsid. so it looks like I can't actually live in Detroit "on Canadian business" as it were. But, thanks for the reference about numbers of days in Canada - it's quite a relief!

If you don't mind, I have followup questions.

1. Should I pay Canadian or US taxes?
2. Which healthcare plan should I use?
3. Should I post these questions in a new thread!?

Thanks again. John.

christmasoompa

Yes please! This part of the forum is for visa related stuff, so the tax experts may not see it buried here, post it in the main Canada forum which is for general lifestyle stuff.

I'd also suggest you post it in the US forums too.

HTH, good luck.

BTJ

1.) The company will withhold US taxes so you'll need to file a US tax return. Not entirely sure if you'll be resident or non-resident in the US for tax purposes - you'll need to look that up. You should then get a credit for US taxes paid on your Canadian tax return so you won't be double taxed. Unsure how Social Security/Medicare vs EI/CPP will work.

2.) I'd say you'd be best get OHIP (pretty sure you have to anyway as an ON resident) and US health insurance through your employer (if you will qualify as a non-resident...) so that if you have a heart attack at work you don't go bankrupt. You can then work out whether you do dental/optical etc in Canada or US.

bewillow

Interesting questions.

I actually know somebody who also works for a German company located in the US and lives in Canada, but near Niagara falls. I had not thought of these issues.

Please post a link to your other thread!

G77

Lots and lots of people work in Detroit and live in Windsor - personally I don't know the best answers to your questions, but I do know it's not an unusual situation. There are lots of local accountants that will do both returns for you and likely have some advice or contacts for the other questions...

Almost Canadian

Are you permitted to work in the US?