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David: The inquiry from the 80-year-old is close to my situation. I am 67, and took the "test" you recommended, score exactly 67. I am a retired
masters-degreed social worker, last employed as an administrator with our state Department of Human Services (federal program manager) and do
not plan to work again. I am interested in Canadian citizenship/residence as I am profoundly concerned about the direction the US is taking on a host of issues.
My father was born (1904) in Ontario, parents both C. (possibly British) citizens, he emigrated to the US about '28, '29, married here 1930.
When I was born ('36) he was still a British subject, naturalized US in 1940. I have talked to the Canadian Consul in L.A., who sent me a "clarification of Status"
form. I am gathering the documents requested. I have heard that as the child of a Canadian citizen, born at that time, I would have a more direct line to citizenship.
The closest relatives I have in Canada now are second (maybe) definitely third, cousins.
Assuming the above is do-able, your comments on taxation raised my antennae. I (and my wife)
get about half our income from SocSec., and pay partial tax on it. We also get HI state pension, and I get 2 private pensions-not taxed by the State of HI,
but by the IRS.
Would all of these be subject to Canadian tax? SocSec at the same rate as US does? We also have fully-paid medical insurance as well as Medicare.
We own property free and clear in HI, and would anticipate buying a home in B.C., hopefully around Victoria.
Would appreciate any guidance you can offer at this point.
TXXXXX
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david ingram replies:
In general, Canada did not allow dual citizenship until February, 1977. Theroetically, when dual citizenship was possible as in your case, you were supposed to make an election to be Canadian or American at Age 21. If you chose Canadian, the US would automatically restore or acknowledge your US citizenship at this point. Canada is NOT equally as obliging and I expect that the answer you are given will be to start from scratch. In either case, you will have to sponsor your wife into Canada.
The only way you will know what the tax consequences will be is to have Canadian Tax Returns prepared based upon your last year's or your 2003 income.
You will likely be turned off at the tax owing although you may consider it worth while for the quality of life. The spending power of your pensions declined 15 to 20% in the last year as well because of the decline of the value of the US dollar against world currencies.
All your pensions are taxable in Canada including 85% of your Social Security. We will give you a foreign tax credit of course.
Your medical insurance is not valid in Canada as a rule. However, if the Canadian consul was to grant you Canadian Citizenship because your parents were Canadian at your birth, you would qualify for BC medical after 90 days in BC.
I suggest that you send us your 2002 return if it will be the same as your 2003 and we will send you a comparison of the tax consequnces.
david ingram
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 & the author and any and all non-contractual duties are expressly denied. All readers should obtain formal advice from a competent financial, or real estate planner or advisor & appropriately qualified legal practitioner, tax or immigration 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, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Egypt, Antarctica, 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.
----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected]
To: CENTAPEDE Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 11:17 PM
Subject: US Citizen from Virginia wants to Relocate to Vancouveror Victoria,Canada
I have sent this further missive because it has a human interest aspect to it. The writer is 80 years of age and thinking of moving to Canada. It would be nice if we had open borders as they do in the European Union.
It is interesting that in my lifetime, the Germans, French, English, Italians and another half dozen European countries were at war and killing each other but today you can drive across a dozen borders with no inspections and you can live and work in any of the countries with one passport.
At the same time, Canada and the United States have not been at war since 1814 and yet we have a more restricted border than we did 10 years ago in spite of a common language, the North American free Trade Agreement and the use of either currency in either country for the most part. Oh well, enough politics, my answer to the question or statement is in front of the statement.
david ingram replies:
Now that I know your age and the problems with Medicaid and Canada's taxation of your social security, I can guarantee that you do not want to attempt to immigrate to Canada. If you liked the Victoria or Vancouver climate, make a move to Whidby Island or Bellingham. Same climate and a much, much lower cost of living, lower income taxes and a medical system which fits in to medicare makes it a much more sensible move for you.
In addition, you can make a day trip up to Canada for cheaper drugs, etc../
Thanks for the invitation to the Capital Buildings. did many of them in August 1998. The guides were a delight, completely entertained by my 15, 11 and 7 years olds telling them the history of the war of 1812 when Canadian troops burned down the White House and the Star Spangled Banner was written.
I am passing your invitation on to my sister. Her name is Sandi Wright and her husband is Harold Wright.
----- Original Message -----
From: XXXX To: David Ingram at home - bus at [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 1:30 PM
Subject: Re: US Citizen from Virginia wants to Relocate to Vancouver or Victoria, Canada
Dear David Ingram,
I really appreciate the prompt response to my message. Since I'll be 80 on Thursday, going back to work was not my goal, so unless I can figure a way to do the 6 month rotation system it's a bit of a lost cause.
Again Many Thanks for the info.If your sister plans to visit Washington and would like to have a private tour of the US Capitol building let me know .I'm a volunteer with the Capitol Guide Service.
RXXXXX
----- Original Message ----- From: David Ingram at home - bus at [email protected]
To: XXXXXX Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 1:03 AM
Subject: US Citizen from Virginia wants to Relocate to Vancouver or Victoria, Canada
---- Original Message ----- From: XXXXXXX To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2003 2:52 PM Subject: Relocating to Canada
Dear Sir ,
I was told that you could advise me regarding permanent relocation of a US citizen to Canada.My sister lived in Victoria for some 45 years until she died, about 2 1/2 years ago ,so now my closest relative in Canada is a cousin,also in Victoria BC.I was thinking of moving to Vancouver in about a year's time.At present I live at XXXX Pkwy.Apt. 5XXX Alexandria Virginia 22XXX and my phone is 703 751 XXXX.
Any info. you may provide would be appreciated. Sincerely, RXXXX
========================================
david ingram replies:
>From your question, it would appear that your intention is to retire to Canada and it is unlikely that you could get landed status to do so. I am 61 and it would be impossible for me to get permission to retire to the US as well.
Canada has many methods of coming as a worker when under 55 but after 55 it is very difficult to get into Canada as an employee and impossible to get in as a retiree unless you are being sponsored by a child who lives here.
Goto http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/assess/Education.asp and fill in the self-assessment guide. It will tell you if you qualify under the present rules. If you assess yourself over 67 points, you do qualify. Email me a copy and we can go from there.
My sister lives in Wheeling, West Virginia by the way.
david
----- Original Message -----
From: David Ingram at home - bus at [email protected]
To:
Cc: TAXMAN
Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2003 6:20 AM
Subject: WMLR Digest 20031127
I only answer about 1 out of 4 of the questions I receive. I never go back more than a coupl,e of days. If I have not answered it or a similar one, please resend it to both of the addresses i am using right now.
Are you related to Daniel?
david
----- Original Message -----
From: David Ingram
To: Davidingram@shaw. ca
Sent: Friday, November 28, 2003 5:02 PM
Subject: FW: WMLR Digest 20031127
-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Friday, November 28, 2003 1:02 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: WMLR Digest 20031127
David:
1. Please change my address to ;
2. Can I look for a response to my inquiry anytime soon? I get the impression that you
have a LOT to answer.
Thanks,
TXXXXXXXXX
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