Canadian TN VISA holder in US wants to know where to

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QUESTION:
I am a Canadian citizen working under a TN visa in the US.  I'm planning on returning to Canada next year, and am trying to maximize my retirement savings.
1. Can I contribute to my RRSPs or buy Canadian bonds / GICs / Mutual Funds while living in the States?  Is this wise with respect to taxes?
2. Does Canada tax earnings from the Roth IRA (earnings in the US are tax-free) if they are withdrawn when I'm in Canada? 
3. Can I transfer money to family in Canada and have them invest for me in Canada?
4. In general, is it better to invest in the States and transfer money, or try to transfer first to Canada then invest?
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david ingram replies
1.    You can contribute to a Canadian RRSP while living in the United States but why would you? The purchase is not deductible;e and you would have to pay tax on it when you took it out.  It is not tax wise unless you have maintained residential ties and are being treated as a factual resident of Canada which is a whole other topic.  Generally, if you are in the US with a TN, you are considered a resident of the US for tax purposes.
You also have a problem with the purchase of Canadian Bonds or Mutual Funds.  Maintaining a brokerage account as a resident is part of the information that Canada would use to tax you as a resident.  Goto www.centa.com and read the [US / Canada Taxation] section.  In particular, pay attention to Judge Teskey's decision in the Dennis Lee case.  Read his list of what makes a person taxable in Canada.
2.    Canada will tax the internal earnings of a ROTH IRA when you come back to Canada.  the principal is NOT taxable.
3.    Yes, but if they invest it for you, it would also make you subject to Canada's tax laws.
4.    While you are in the US, invest in the US, when you come back to Canada, consider leaving the money in the US as an escape valve.  Your money will be invested in one of, if not the most dynamic economy in the world.  
I say this in spite of the fact that I expect the Canadian dollar to go back up to 90 cents again in the short term and I expect Canada's economy to do better than the US for the next four or five years.  Over the long haul, the USA will likely do better.
.
David Ingram's US/Canada Services
US / Canada / Mexico tax and working Visa Specialists
US / Canada Real Estate Specialists
4466 Prospect Road
North Vancouver,  BC, CANADA, V7N 3L7
Res (604) 980-3578 Cell (604) 657-8451
(604) 980-0321 
New email to [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."
Be ALERT,  the world needs more "lerts"
 
This from "ask an income tax and immigration expert" from www.centa.com or www.jurock.com or www.featureweb.com. Canadian David Ingram deals daily with tax returns dealing with expatriate:
multi jurisdictional cross and trans border expatriate problems  for the United States, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, China, New Zealand, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Russia, Georgia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Scotland, Ireland, Hawaii, Florida, Montana, Morocco, Israel, Iraq, Iran, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mali, Bangkok, Greenland, Iceland, Cuba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Barbados, St Vincent, Grenada,, Virgin Islands, US, UK, GB, American and Canadian and Mexican and any of the 43 states with state tax returns, etc.
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