Just Jenney

Two words: Turbo Tax

~ Jenney

Rete

Off topic but a bit but what is this thing everyone has with Turbo Tax? If you are like Jim and I and are not property owners, aren't self employed and don't have enough deductions to use and rely on standard deductions, why does one need turbo tax software to file a tax return. I still remember how to add, subtract, multiply and divide and never, thank the heavens, made a mistake on my taxes even when I did file using other than standard deductions. Besides I, personally, would never file online. I much prefer the hard copy of a self-completed 1040 or even an EZ form.

Rant over ;-)

Just Jenney

Some people feel comfortable doing the numbers themselves; some people don't. For someone who is new to the US tax system, it's a nice thing to have, because it makes it easy to make sure you're filling out all the right forms, learning about deductions, etc.

Also, just because you use TurboTax to prepare your tax returns doesn't mean you HAVE to file online. I've been using TurboTax for years and have always printed out and mailed in my returns.

~ Jenney

ian-mstm

I used to do my own taxes all the time when I lived in Canada. The one and only time I didn't do it by myself and hired a professional, was the year I moved from Ontario to Nova Scotia and had to deal with two sets of Provincial rules. Additionally, I not only had a salary for the first part of the year but I was drawing on my teacher's pension for the latter part of the year. All in all, it worked out well for me. Like you, I liked the feeling of doing taxes by hand... and, by the same token, I still write out checks for bills rather than do online payments. There's something a bit primal and satisfying about doing things by hand.

The year I moved to the US, I did my own Canadian return and Sheila did our US return. Since then though, Sheila has done our return... moreso because she is more familiar than I am with the forms and deductions which, as discussed in another thread, are different from the Canadian w'eh of doing things!

Ian

birdsleeps

This is very helpful indeed. THanks!

I called Revenue Canada and I told them I left Canada for a certain
date and the reason why I left and I told them if I need to declare
non-residence status. I basically called at two different times. THe
first one told me to read a certain documents on thei website to
detemine whether I need to request for non-residence application. If I
do, send a letter to them listing when I left Canada, etc. I read the
documents on their website and I decided to call again. That time, I
told them when I left Canada and she said they already update my info
and I do not need to send anything to them. I wonder why is that so
simple to just call them and tell them and they can get it done on the
phone.

I do know that I have to file 2006 tax return in Canada, however, I
don't think I need to do that in Canada, but rather in U.S. Just one
more question, when my husband file tax return for 2006, we were not
married yet. Should he still put his marital status married for year
2006, or should he start filing for me next year instead?

THanks a lot!!

On Jan 12, 4:38 pm, Rete <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Hi, I have questions about my residence status. I moved to U.S. with
> > a
> > K1 and I got married last month. I have already filed the AOS to INS.
> > My question is do I have to declare non residence in Canada, and when
> > shall I do that? For the following Tax return, I will have to
> > complete
> > the Canadian Tax Return since I was in Canada from Jan -November 2006.
>
> > Do I need to do the U.S. Tax return also? In other words, it means my
> > husband will have to file it for me since we are married, since his
> > marital status has changed. How will that affact his tax return?
>
> > ThanksBeing the wife of a Canadian who also immigrated here through a K-1 and
> who has dual income from both the US and Canada, I can give you his or
> rather our experience.
>
> Jim did not have to do anything about requesting non-residency in Canada
> as the then Revenue Canada sent him the paperwork a few months after
> migrating. Apparently the spy system works between our countries and
> the left does tell the right hand what it is doing.
>
> If you have continuing income in Canada by all means go through the
> Canadian Revenue (whatever it is called now) and request the paperwork
> to be sent to you. After your completion of the paperwork and return to
> them they will let you know their decision. There is a likelihood that
> they will consider you a resident even if you aren't. It is their call.
>
> As for taxes, the amount I believe at the present moment tax free for
> Canadian income by the US IRS is $80,000. In other words you can have
> income of $80,000 or under from Canada and as long as you have paid
> taxes on that in Canada, it is placed on your US 1040 form and then
> written off before US taxes are figured out. The amount of US dollars
> earned are less if you are going the reverse route and migrating from
> the US to Canada.
>
> Now as to US taxes, if you have no earned income from the US you don't
> have to file your independent return. You have nothing to declare.
> HOWEVER, since you are married you would file joint instead of married,
> separate, and your husband will earn a higher deduction rate for such
> category of filing.
>
> There is absolutely nothing to worry about and no hidden rules or
> regulations here and please, do let others make you frightened of our
> tax structure. Other than the tax you have to pay, the forms are super
> easy to understand and complete.
>
> --
> Posted viahttp://britishexpats.com

birdsleeps

This is very helpful indeed. THanks!

I called Revenue Canada and I told them I left Canada for a certain
date and the reason why I left and I told them if I need to declare
non-residence status. I basically called at two different times. THe
first one told me to read a certain documents on thei website to
detemine whether I need to request for non-residence application. If I
do, send a letter to them listing when I left Canada, etc. I read the
documents on their website and I decided to call again. That time, I
told them when I left Canada and she said they already update my info
and I do not need to send anything to them. I wonder why is that so
simple to just call them and tell them and they can get it done on the
phone.

I do know that I have to file 2006 tax return in Canada, however, I
don't think I need to do that in Canada, but rather in U.S. Just one
more question, when my husband file tax return for 2006, we were not
married yet. Should he still put his marital status married for year
2006, or should he start filing for me next year instead?

THanks a lot!!
Rete wrote:
> > Hi, I have questions about my residence status. I moved to U.S. with
> > a
> > K1 and I got married last month. I have already filed the AOS to INS.
> > My question is do I have to declare non residence in Canada, and when
> > shall I do that? For the following Tax return, I will have to
> > complete
> > the Canadian Tax Return since I was in Canada from Jan -November 2006.
> >
> >
> > Do I need to do the U.S. Tax return also? In other words, it means my
> > husband will have to file it for me since we are married, since his
> > marital status has changed. How will that affact his tax return?
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks
>
> Being the wife of a Canadian who also immigrated here through a K-1 and
> who has dual income from both the US and Canada, I can give you his or
> rather our experience.
>
> Jim did not have to do anything about requesting non-residency in Canada
> as the then Revenue Canada sent him the paperwork a few months after
> migrating. Apparently the spy system works between our countries and
> the left does tell the right hand what it is doing.
>
> If you have continuing income in Canada by all means go through the
> Canadian Revenue (whatever it is called now) and request the paperwork
> to be sent to you. After your completion of the paperwork and return to
> them they will let you know their decision. There is a likelihood that
> they will consider you a resident even if you aren't. It is their call.
>
> As for taxes, the amount I believe at the present moment tax free for
> Canadian income by the US IRS is $80,000. In other words you can have
> income of $80,000 or under from Canada and as long as you have paid
> taxes on that in Canada, it is placed on your US 1040 form and then
> written off before US taxes are figured out. The amount of US dollars
> earned are less if you are going the reverse route and migrating from
> the US to Canada.
>
> Now as to US taxes, if you have no earned income from the US you don't
> have to file your independent return. You have nothing to declare.
> HOWEVER, since you are married you would file joint instead of married,
> separate, and your husband will earn a higher deduction rate for such
> category of filing.
>
> There is absolutely nothing to worry about and no hidden rules or
> regulations here and please, do let others make you frightened of our
> tax structure. Other than the tax you have to pay, the forms are super
> easy to understand and complete.
>
> --