Moved to USA on TN - What forms to fill out

QUESTION: Hi David,

I really need your help in filling U.S tax and I am getting mixed messages which forms to file.
I am a Canadian Citizen in U.S on TN visa for more than a year.
I have RRSP in canada over 10,000 put in fixed bond and saving account in a bank.
What do I need to file here and what forms do I need to fill.
Do I still have to file tax in Canada for canadian earning? Please help.
____________________________________________________
david ingram replies;

You need to file a departing Canada tax return and file T1161 if you left more things than your RRSP behind. The Canadian return will only include Canadian earnings although if you had a Home Buyers Plan, it is all due and taxable on the departing Canada return unless you have paid it back.

For the US, you have two choices:

1. File a 1040NR dual status statement and a Dual Status 1040 Income Tax return with no standard deduction

or

2. File a full 1040 which includes your Canadian income and gives you a full standard deduction and the right to file a joint return if married. This is usually the best if you left Canada early in the year as you did.

If you can't figure it out, file an extension form 4868 (find it at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf )

and then send the information to us at the address in blue below to complete for you.

0 comments