David
My husband and I are considering purchasing property in Texas and I am
wondering how long we are allowed to stay in the USA at one time.
Can I commute from Canada, 6 months in Canada and live 6 months in USA?
Thank You!!
DXXXXX
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David Ingram Replies:
A Canadian is usually granted a stay of up to six months when going to the
US as a visitor. Provided that you keep a full residence in Canada
available for your use you should be able to stay in the US for up to six
months and Canada for MORE than six months. The reason I make the point
about more than six months is that A Canadian has to SLEEP in his or her
HOME province for more than 183 days a year to qualify for their provincial
medical plan.
Medical and 183 days
Technically, if you were to spend 5 months in Texas, two months in BC and
five months in your home province of Ontario, you would not be covered by
the Ontario Government plans. If you are not covered by your provincial
health plan, your extended trip insurance is not valid either.
Tax and 123 days
If you are in the US for more than 123 days a year three years in a row (you
can find an 8 page newsletter on this at www.centa.com click on nesletters
and go to April 1994) you must also file a US income tax return. OIN this
case you can usually exempt your world income by filing a form 8840.
Tax and medical and 183 days.
If you are in the USA for more than 183 days in a year, you are now a
defacto resident alien and taxable on your world income AND your Canadian
medical is cancelled.
RENTING OUT YOUR Canadian House
If you rent your house out while you are gone, you are NOT allowed into the
US as a visitor. I do not care if you have been doing it for a dozen years.
If so, you have been in the US illegally for a doaen years. If caught in
this situation, you can be arrested, have to post $5,000 US bail, have your
car or motorhome seized and get banned from the US for five years.
Some of the US Homeland Security People recipients of this newsletter may
want to add to this last comment (anonymously of course).
Hope this helps. Som
na onEverything being okay,
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