QUESTION: In the new year, due to downsizing in our hospitals, I (ICU nurse) may have to go to Washington to get fulltime work. I would rent accommodation in Seattle to live in the 5 days that I work and return to my home in North Vancouver my 4 days off. How would I be taxed? Thanks for your help. Bonnie MacLean ================================================ david ingram replies: I presume that you are going to Seattle under an H1A visa and leaving a husband and children in Canada which is why you are coming back on your days off. The Seattle hospital will be deducting US federal and social security and Medicare taxes from your paycheque. If you are there less than 183 days, we would file a US 1040 Income tax return and only pay tax on the US money. If you are there more than 183 days, we might file a 1040NR as a non-resident under Article IV of the US / Canada Tax Treaty or if you think you are enjoying it down there and your family starts going south to see you instead of your coming back to North Vancouver (where I live as while), we might file a 1040 return as a US resident. Doing so, would save you many thousands of dollars and contribute mightily to the apartment rent and cost of travel. Goto www.centa.com and read the [US/Canada Taxation] section to get a better idea how it works. Realize that no two people are the same. Pay little attention to what Helen or Bruce or Rachel are doing. It is likely wrong. If you are married, you and your husband should come in and get counseled AFTER you have both read the US/Canada Taxation section mentioned above. 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] <mailto:[email protected]> 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/> . David Ingram deals on a daily basis with expatriate tax returns with: multi jurisdictional cross and trans border expatriate problems for the United States, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Indonesia, 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, and any of the 43 states with state tax returns, etc. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.547 / Virus Database: 340 - Release Date: 12/2/03
