Minneapolis, Minnesota, US citizen wants to move

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How can I submit a question to this list?  I sent the following to
<[email protected]> on Monday, and the next thing I know I was subscribed
to this list.  Thanks.
My Questions:
I am considering immigrating to Canada from the United States, and I am
wondering if you could help me answer a few questions.
I would be moving to Canada with my wife and 2 children, ages 1 and 3.
My intent would be to continue to work for my current employer, which is
located in Minneapolis, for as long as possible.  However, I would
intend to establish my family within the Canadian economy, pay taxes,
send my children to school, and possibly/eventually become a citizen.
Needless to say, I have a lot of questions and will most likely need to
hire a tax attorney specializing in this area before proceeding.  In the
meantime, perhaps you can help me answer a few surface questions:
1) If I am working out of my home (my new home, which will be in
Canada), will I considered to be working in Canada, or in the US?
2) Will this determine where I am taxed?  Will my employer and I
continue to pay FICA (Social Security and Medicare) tax to the US?  How
will I become eligible to receive healthcare in Canada?  Does Canada
have a federal pension system such as Social Security in the US?  How
will I make contributions?
3) If I become a Canadian citizen, will I loose my ability to collect
Social Security in the US?  If I keep my American citizenship, will I be
able to join the Canadian healthcare system, and will I be able to
collect a pension in Canada for contributions made to the Canadian
system (assuming such a system exists)?
=========================================================
david ingram replies:
I spent 15 years in Winnipeg, Selkirk and Portage La Prairie Manitoba, had lady friends in Dominion City and Emerson and had relatives in Minneapolis and vacationed at Bemidji (Home of Paul Bunyan and Babe his Blue Ox) so I know the territory you are referring to./  Highway 75 was an old friend.
In order 
1.    You will be working in Canada.  If you are earning less than about $120,000 US, you will only pay tax to Canada and Manitoba.
2.    Your US employer should stop deducting Minnesota state tax, stop deducting FICA (social Security) Stop Deducting Medicare and stop deducting US income tax the day you move to Manitoba. You will either have to be paid by contract in Manitoba, in which case you will have to make installment payment of taxes to Canada.  There is only one tax return in Manitoba and the Provincial and federal taxes are calculated as part of the same form.
Your employer "could" establish a federal employer account in Canada but that would be asking a lot.  If you are moving to Canada on your own hook, become a consultant or outside contractor.
3.    If you become a Canadian resident or a Canadian citizen, you do not lose any of the accumulated US social Security benefits you have earned to date.
You will automatically become part of the Manitoba / Canadian Health Care System 90 days after you apply.
You will be making payment to the CPP Canada Pension Plan which is similar to the FICA.  In addition, upon retirement, the US Canada Social Security Totalization Agreement will mix and match your contributions in the two countries to give you the best deal. 
You mention a tax attorney. Not necessary.  This office likely does more of this than any other Canadian or American office and half is done by email, fax courier and conference phone. In addition, by being on this newsletter list, you will find an amazing amount of free information for you. I will do a phone consultation of up to an hour for $350.00 Canadian AND, as a matter of policy, do not charge you for the second three minute call to clear up something I did not explain properly in the first place.
To start the Immigration process, start here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/assess/Education.asp 
and fill in the self-assessment guide. If you get 67 or more, you will qualify and we would be glad to help you.
Just about everyone gets a free question here, most get a second and I start charging at three.
.Hope this helps.
David Ingram's US/Canada Services
US / Canada / Mexico tax and working Visa Specialists
US / Canada Real Estate Specialists
108-100 Park Royal South
West Vancouver,  BC, CANADA, V7T 1A2
Calls accepted from 10 AM to 10 PM 7 days a week
Res (604) 980-3578 Cell (604) 657-8451
Bus (604) 980-0321 
[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."
This from "ask an income tax and immigration and bankruptcy 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.
income tax wizard wizzard guru advisor specialist consultant taxman  Alaska,  Alabama,  Arkansas,  Arizona, 
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wizard - Your name has been added to our email list because of an enquiry we have received,  we may not answer your question but 
another similar question will be as we lump them.
You may find more answers at www.centa.com
David Ingram of the CEN-TA REALTY  Group
US / Canada / Mexico tax and working Visa Specialists
US / Canada Real Estate Specialists
108-100 Park Royal South
West Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V7T 1A2
(604) 980-0321 - Fax 913-9123 [email protected]
www.centa.com www.david-ingram.com
  
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