QUESTION: My wife and I are Canadians with green cards living in USA. My wife was a teaher in Canada and is wondering what to do with her pension. Put it into an RRSP or withdraw it and move the money to US. (We understand there is a 25% Canadian withholding tax for this?) Would we also pay tax on this in the US? ==================================== david ingram replies: Your wife should roll the Pension into an RRSP and then leave the RRSP in Canada. Just about every RRSP / IRA / Pension has done better in Canada for the last five years and combined with the dollar exchange it is not unusual to have double what you would have had in the US. That will change and in the future the US will do better but having money in Canada as an emergency is not a bad idea. The disadvantage is that you have to file US forms 8891 and T DF.90 every year with extreme penalties (up to 5 years in jail plus $600,000 for failure to file the T DF.90 for instance). And, if you have a very good use for the money (not just to re-invest in stock in the US), cashing it in and paying Canada 25% might be a good idea. The US government would require you to report any increase in value since your entered the United states and pay tax on that. You would then pro-rate the 25% tax paid to Canada and claim it as a foreign tax credit on the form 1116. -------------------------------------------------- Answers to this and other similar questions can be obtained free on Air every Sunday morning. Every Sunday at 9:00 AM on 600AM in Vancouver, I, david ingram am a permanent guest on Fred Snyder of Dundee Wealth Managers' LIVE talk show called "ITS YOUR MONEY" Those outside of the Lower Mainland will be able to listen on the internet at www.600AM.com <http://www.600am.com/> Call (604) 280-0600 to have your question answered. BC listeners can also call 1-866-778-0600. Callers to the show and questioners on this board can also attend the Thursday Night seminars on finance and making your Canadian Mortgage Interest deductible. David Ingram's US/Canada Services US / Canada / Mexico tax, Immigration and working Visa Specialists US / Canada Real Estate Specialists Home office at: 4466 Prospect Road North Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V7N 3L7 Cell (604) 657-8451 - (604) 980-0321 Fax (604) 980-0325 Calls welcomed from 9 AM to 9 PM 7 days a week (please do not fax or phone outside of those hours as this is a home office) email to taxman at centa.com <mailto:taxman at centa.com> www.centa.com <http://www.centa.com/> www.david-ingram.com <http://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 in connection with personal or business affairs such as at www.centa.com <http://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 <http://www.centa.com/> or www.jurock.com <http://www.jurock.com/> or www.featureweb.com <http://www.featureweb.com/> . 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