RRSP or Life insurance? -
Mr. Ingram, I am an American citizen living in Canada as a permanent resident. I am 50% owner of a company Incorporated in Canada. Each year my accountant does an extremely good job of minimizing our tax liabilities. In fact I have $5000 in educational credits we didn't use last year, because we didn't need them. I have a small amount saved for retirement in a US 401K, and a US IRA. I recently opened an RRSP, because I know I need to set aside money for retirement. But I question the wisdom given that I don't need the tax credits, and I am not sure which country I will retire in. One option my life insurance agent presented is that I could but $8000 a year in my policy. When I hit retirement age, I could start borrowing against the policy (tax free) as part of my retirement income. They normally suggest doing this in addition to an RRSP, but in my case I am wondering if the RRSP really makes sense. ---------------------------------------------- david ingram replies: I do not "know' about your situation, but, in general, I consider an RRSP to be the last thing that someone should buy in your position. Buy your RRSP after a personal non-deductible mortgage is paid off and after you have prepared a detailed financial plan of some sort. Most of us do not have enough pure life insurance as well. Remember also, that for your US return, you need to be filing: * Form TDF 90-22.1 forms for every Canadian financial account you have control over ($up to $500,000 fines for failure) including the corporation and your RRSP accounts AND any cash value life insurance or other savings plans in Canada. * Form 8891 to report the internal earnings of your RRSP(s0 * Form 5471 to report the internal earnings of your Canadian Corporation ($10,000 to $50,000 fine for failure). These are serious pieces of paper. Go to www.centa.com and read the Oct 93 newsletter about Dual Citizenship; the Oct 95 newsletter about the responsibility of a US citizen living in Canada, and the Nov 2001 newsletter about making a Canadian mortgage deductible. These are in the top left hand box . .------------------------------------- David Ingram's US / Canada Services US / Canada / Mexico tax, Immigration and working Visa Specialists US / Canada Real Estate Specialists My Home office is at: 4466 Prospect Road North Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V7N 3L7 Cell (604) 657-8451 - (604) 980-0321 Fax (604) 980-0325 Calls welcomed from 10 AM to 10 PM 7 days a week Vancouver (LA) time - (please do not fax or phone outside of those hours as this is a home office) email to taxman at centa.com 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 and the author and any and all non-contractual duties are expressly denied. All readers should obtain formal advice from a competent and appropriately qualified legal practitioner or tax specialist for expert help, assistance, preparation, or consultation in connection with personal or business affairs such as at www.centa.com. If you forward this message, this disclaimer must be included." 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