TN Visa holder Graphic Artist in California real

QUESTION:
Hi there!
I am a graphic artist with a TN Visa working in California (Canadian
Citizen).
I was wondering if I am a resident or a no-resident?
Also do i fill the W4 like other US ctizans? 2 expm. (single, one job)? do i
need to fill out 8233 form for nonresident?
Is it benificial to me to do 401K? Can i transfer it to Canadian accounts?
Thank you very much.
XXXXXXXXXX
-------------------------------------------------------
david ingram replies:
If you have given up everything in Canada and are living in California, you
should have done a departing Canada return and should be treated as a
resident of California filing a 1040 and a 540.  If this is your first year,
you would likely file a 1040NR dual status statement and a 1040 dual status
return and a California 540NR/
You should likely send your returns to us in Canada.  NO ONE down there
understands them.
the following two questions where he returned and another moving to South
Carolina will explain it better.
David
My name is XXXXXXXX, I held a TN visa to work in the US from October of 1996
till May of 2001.
I was separated from my wife in Canada, had a
girlfriend in the Washington state, but supported my household including my
children. I was forced to leave the US. Could I argue that I was a resident
of the US during that period.
XXXXXXXXXX
-----------------------------------
david ingram replies:
You sound like a non-resident of Canada for that time.
When you left in 1997, did you file your return as a departing Canadian and
file Form T1161 to report the ownership or half ownership of the house you
left behind?
When you came back, did you move back in with your wife and children?
If you did, did you account for any capital gains tax on your half of the
house for the three years you were gone?   (a non-resident's house is
subject to capital gains tax which is triggered if you move back into it).
If your wife filed as separated, you would win hands down.  If she had filed
as a married person, you have / had a fight.
If you were openly living with your girlfriend or thought of as a couple and
brought her back to Canada with you when you came to visit the kids, you
would have a better argument even if your wife filed as married.
An interesting but not unusual situation.
===================
The following q & a shows what you should have done.
Sorry, David,
I missed your reply!  I thought this was just the same thing we had sent
you.   Thank you very much for the information and for the list of contacts
as well.  If you feel comfortable with your knowledge in this area, we will
likely go with you.  Could you give us a rough idea how much it would cost
for you to do it:  The combined Canada, S.C. and N.C. return?
Also, as we are on a T.N. and (ultimately) I will be on a student visa with
RRSP's in Canada do you think its worth pursuing non-resident status?
Thanks again,
XXXXX.
==========================
david ingram replies:
You would be looking at $700 to $1,400 Cdn for the three returns. I realize
it is a big spread but departing Canada returns require a T1161 and possibly
a T1243 and T1244.
http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/t1161/t1161-03e.pdf
This is the form to calculate the tax on the T1161
http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/t1243/t1243-03b.pdf
This is the form that defers tax on the deemed disposition
http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/t1244/t1244-03b.pdf
Pro-rated exemptions, etc.
Take a look at the forms.
Your Canadian Accounts require TD F-90 forms and your RRSP's require special
reporting as well. We would start by filing an extension for the US return -
form 4868.
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-fill/f9022-1.pdf
By non-resident status, I think you  are referring to the USA.  That would
be the last thing you would want because non-residents can NOT file a joint
return.  The US joint return will save you thousands.
The first year is a toss-up.  Most people would file you as a dual status
which also means no joint return.  The only way to do it is both ways.  To
file the joint return in the USA the first year, we have to add in all your
Canadian Income as well and claim a foreign tax credit.  This almost always
results in significant US tax savings.
-----Original Message-----
From: David Ingram at home - bus at taxman at centa.com
[mailto:davidingram at shaw.ca]
Sent: March 31, 2004 11:19 AM
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: South Carolina after moving from Ontario - ask an income tax expert
experts specialist specialists
----- Original Message -----
From:
To: 'David Ingram at home - bus at taxman at centa.com'
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2004 6:34 PM
Subject: RE: Question misdirected
Thanks David,
Here it is again:
Hi,
I just found your site yesterday and I'm excited at the resources you
provide. Generally we are do it yourselfer tax folks, but I think we may
need your services which we can discuss later as it is pretty complex.
Perhaps you could clarify something for us.
We live in Ontario and we are in the process of selling our house. We have
bought a house in South Carolina which will close in June. My wife is going
to go in on a TN visa as a Physiotherapist and I will go in as her spouse.
Later (in August) I will register with a student visa, so that I do not have
to renew it annually like my wife will. Now my wife will actually be working
in North Carolina as a physiotherapist and we will live (and I will go to
school) in South Carolina.
What are the tax implications of:
A) buying a house in the USA (S.C.) and then selling it after 3-4 years to
return to Canada.
B) working in one state (N.C.) and living in another?
Thanks in advance for considering our situation,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
==============================================
david ingram replies;
If you buy a South Carolina,  North Carolina. Arkansas or Georgia House and
live in it, any gains will be tax free up to $500,000 ($250,000 each) if you
have lived in it for 24 months out of the last 60 that you owned it.
If you lived in Hull, Quebec and worked in downtown Ottawa, you would file a
Quebec and a Canadian Federal return.
If you live in North Carolina and commute to South Carolina, you will be
filing a South and North Carolina return.  You will not pay double state
taxes but you will end up paying the higher rate after exemptions, credits,
deductions, etc.
In your first year in the USA, you have the option of filing a joint tax
return by reporting your Canadian Income as well.  This will save you tax.
Most preparers will suggest that you have to file a dual status return the
first year and can make it a joint return.
Whatever you do, have this year's returns prepared by someone who does both
(with experience - not at your learning expense).
We, of course, are all happy to help you by snail mail, email, fax or
courier, OR
Answers to this and other similar  questions can be obtained free on Air
every Sunday morning.
Starting this Sunday at 9:00 AM on 600AM in Vancouver, Fred Snyder of
Cartier Partners and I will be hosting an INFOMERCIAL but LIVE talk show
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Those outside of the Lower Mainland will be able to listen on the internet
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