Message David, I run a consulting business in Vancouver and I have had a few US clients and they are now requesting that I fill out a W-8 or a W-9. I do not have a visa or reside in the US and only enter to go onsite for the events to ensure that they run according to plan but all the work I do is from home. What forms do I need to fill out for these clients and how should I file this income, either in Canada or the US or both. Also how much would you charge to file my taxes in this situation assuming I am a single male who has a full time job in Canada and uses the consulting income as a supplement. Any light you could shed on this would be greatly appreciated. Regards, ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----- david ingram replies: You may or may not be legal in the states - You have not given me enough information to tell if you are in the B1 category but if you are doing any hands on work while there, you have a problem. It is likely that you should get a Management Consultant TN visa which would allow you to attend these events and advise management "what to do next" but would not allow you to move anything, plug anything in, unpack a box or pit up a sign or banner. Fill out whatever form the US clients want you to fill out to keep them happy. You do not have a US SSN or ITIN but should file a US 1040NR tax return. As a self-employed person, you will not have any US Federal Tax to pay unless it is determined that you are an entertainment person. If you are in the entertainment business (sports or theatre or musical), you will be taxable in the US on everything if your earned more than $15,000 US. If you are not in the entertainment business, then you are not taxable in the US if you had no fixed base (office, etc.) in the US under Article XIV of the US / Canada Income Tax Treaty. The bad news is that "in either case" you would be taxable in the state. California in particular is very conscious of going after "events" people. ---- I usually quote $800 to $2,000 fro US / Canada Income tax returns. Self employment returns tend to be in the $1,200 range Treaty returns tend to be in the $1,200 range as well and you might have two or three states. Although this idea of multi state tax returns is foreign to the Canadian Concept, it is not without a similar situation in Canada. When Americans come to Canada for the entertainment circuit or things like the Royal American Shows which can be found at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, Manosphere in Manitoba, the Calgary Stampede and the PNE in Vancouver, they have to file a Multijurisdictional tax return and pay tax to Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. We also have had some 137 Canadian Airlines and Air Canada flight personnel who live in the US and fly for Air Canada now. Because they are non-residents of Canada we have to do a Multijurisdictional tax return for them and pay tax to every province and territory where their flight lands. If a Air Canada flight takes off in Toronto and lands in Vancouver, the employee has to pay tax to Ontario on have the flight and BC for the other half of the flight. The CRA has a special department set up to look after these particular employees specifically. Hope this helps you understand. the situation. you do have to deal with it. You should get some good information by going to www.centa.com and reading the "entering The US" section in the second box down on the right hands side. Reading The US/Canada Taxation section will also give you a little help although it is aimed at US citizens in Canada which is the reverse of your situation. ------------. David Ingram's US/Canada Services US / Canada / Mexico tax, Immigration and working Visa Specialists US / Canada Real Estate Specialists Home office at: 4466 Prospect Road North Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V7N 3L7 Cell (604) 657-8451 - (604) 980-0321 Fax (604) 980-0325 Calls welcomed from 10 AM to 10 PM 7 days a week (please do not fax or phone outside of those hours as this is a home office) email to taxman at centa.com 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 for expert help, assistance, preparation, or consultation 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" David Ingram expert income tax help and preparation of US Canada Mexico non-resident and cross border returns with rental dividend wages self-employed and royalty foreign tax credits This from "ask an income tax and immigration expert" from www.centa.com or www.jurock.com or www.featureweb.com. 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