Canadian working in Kuwait has tax questions - ask the

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My question is: Canadian-specific
QUESTION: I am a Canadian who, for reasons of underemployment at home, has left indefinitely to work in the Arabian Gulf (currently in Kuwait).
I have severed all contact with Canada by selling a conjugal property, getting a separation agreement from my common-law spouse, cancelling Canadian bank accounts, credit cards and life insurance.  The works.  Locked in RRSPs are my only attachment.
Moreover, I filed an income tax return last year, and will do so this year for the period ending with the sale of the house and the signing of the separation agreement.
I would still like to spend summers in Canada where my elderly father lives, however.  And I am still optimistic that I might one day reconcile with my former spouse who still lives in Canada.
Since I am entitled to both UK and Irish citizenship through my father, I wonder whether renouncing my Canadian citizenship would be one way of being able to return to Canada for the summers without making myself liable for Canadian taxes.  I understand I would as a result have to be very sure of the implications of UK or Irish liability.
Too, might I one day regain Canadian citizenship through my former spouse if we were to reconcile and wed?
---------------------------------------------------------------david ingram replies: 
Renouncing your citizenship will not end your Canadian tax liability if your habitual abode has been Canadian and if you visit your father and likely your ex wife and maybe children in Canada.  Too many personal ties.
Getting rid of all the baggage might.  However, if you do not have a home of residence somewhere else and spend your free time in Canada, Canada can tax you citizen or not.
Goto www.centa.com and read the US/Canada Taxation section.
There is a great tax case where a Brit (Dennis Lee)  has a wife in Canada and is only allowed into Canada as a visitor.  He has an ex wife in Britain and holds the mortgage on her house.  Judge Teskey ruled he was taxable in Canada even though he was only allowed in as a visitor.  Read the case.
If you do not want to be taxable in Canada, stay away from Canada.
You should likely make an appointment and come in and talk about it next time you are in Canada.  Ideally, you would rent a place in Birch Bay (or someplace just across the border depending upon where your father and ex wife are) and your father and friends would come down and visit you in the states.
David Ingram of the CEN-TA REALTY  Group
US / Canada / Mexico tax and working Visa Specialists
US / Canada Real Estate Specialists
108-100 Park Royal South
West Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V7T 1A2
(604) 980-0321 - Fax 913-9123 [email protected]
www.centa.com www.david-ingram.com
Disclaimer:  This question has been answered without detailed information or consultation and is to be regarded only as general comment.   Nothing in this message is or should be construed as advice in any particular circumstances. No contract exists between the reader and the author and any and all non-contractual duties are expressly denied. All readers should obtain formal advice from a competent and appropriately qualified legal practitioner or tax specialist in connection with personal or business affairs such as at www.centa.com. If you forward this message, this disclaimer must be included."
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