A good accountant needed - Steve Peters, Kevyn Nightingale, Gary Gauvin, Brad Howland, Steve Katz

Dear David,   Ok, I think you've convinced me I should keep the townhouse and remortgage.  So I was wondering if you know a good accountant that could give me some direction on how to use this asset to best advantage considering my overseas situation.  I think I might need someone with more specialist training like yourself.   If you have any suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate it.   Say hi to Gillian for me.   Warm regards,  

david ingram replies:

Good move!  Keep the apartment for your future benefit. THAT WAY, IF YOU EVER RETURN TO CANANDA, YOU HAVE A PLACE TO MOVE INTO AT TODAY'S PRICE. 

With regard to an accountant, I thought that was what we did.

However, others in the international system that I know  and recommend are mentioned in the following older Q & A from last September. They are all US / Canda however, and I can't say that I know anyone else who deals with Canada - Australia situations.

Older Q & A's follow
--------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello,
You have been referred to me by a fellow Canadian living in Georgia
My family moved here in July 2004.
We have filed for income tax in 2004 with half/half between two countries
Presently filing for 2005.
We have RRSP in Canada, as well as some investments,
A small  business in  xxxxxxxxxxx (< 20,000 / year income) which we will not likely continue to operate for long. I am wondering what your firm offers in the way of assistance?
- complete income tax returns for States side
- offer advice on tax strategies for US side
- help develop long strategies.  (should RRSP be left in Canada etc)

Any information that you can provide on this would be appreciated.
Thanks,

------------------------------------------------------- david ingram replies:   I am happy to look after you.  That is what we do although I do have to tell you that our expertise is Country to Country and not necessarily state to state.   I just (for instance) found out that we do not have to file a Pennsylvania return when someone works in Pennsylvania and lives in Maryland.  43 years and I did not know that.   I did have offices in 30 states at one time but not Pennsylvania and Maryland.   Your 2004 returns will have been the most difficult.   You r  Canadian return should have had a form T1161 and likely T1243 and T1244 filed with it to look after departure tax.  I am assuming there would be a departure tax because of the investments and business property you have left in Canada.   Your US return should either have included your Canadian Income or have been a "dual status" 1040 return plus have included a 1040NR Dual Status Statement.   Since you were in the US from July, the operation of the resort property should have been included on your US return and any tax paid to Canada claimed on form 1116.   ---------------------------------------   Your 2005 returns should be a 1040 plus a  XXXXXXXXXX state return with schedule C to report the resort and an 1116 to claim credit for the Canadian taxes.   In my opinion, you should have the same person prepare the US and Canadian returns.   The following older Q & A sort of states my position -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Hi – I came across your fine website. I’m looking for similar services in Montreal, QC and wondered if you could recommend someone out here.  Regards,

 R -------

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

david ingram replies:

I have no recommendation for Montreal.  My old office in Ottawa had a marvellous US/Canada Tax consultant, Gary Gauvin,  but he has moved to Texas and I no longer have any ownership or anything else to do with the Ottawa office which bears my name.  If you type - income tax expert - into Google, Gary and I usually come up in the top three or four. (www.garygauvin.com)

Steve Peters with KPMG in Halifax knows his stuff.  (902) 492-6011

Brad Howland in Victoria is good.  (250) 598-6258


Steve Katz in Vancouver is really good with pension matters. (604) 732-1515


In Toronto, Kevin Nightingale is one of the best that exists.  The National Post's Jonathon Chevreau regularly recognizes Kevin and I in his columns.

The following from an older Q & A sort of states my position

------------------------------------------

Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 6:02 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: accountant in Toronto


Hello-
A friend of mine suggested that I contact you. I am an American who
moved to Canada in 2005 and am looking for an accountant in Toronto
who can help me with my U.S. and Canadian individual tax returns, and
who can provide me with advice about what to do with my 403(b)
retirement account. Thank you for your help.
-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
=====================================================
david ingram replies:

I will start off by saying that you should mail or courier it to us as half
of our clients do.

However, although I have never met him, Kevyn Nightingale and I have been
quoted in many articles in the National Post.

Kevyn Nightingale,
Suite 302 - 5001 Yonge Street
North York, Ontario, M2N 6P6
Tel: 416-733-9595 / Fax: 416-733-4725

And it was a good question.  I just looked at his fee structure and think I
will raise mine.

0 comments