Canadians Vacationing in USA (Info and Links last updated in 2019)
I have been researching online what the rules are regarding Canadians traveling to the USA. I want to make sure we have all the information required to make educated and smart decisions. Here is resume of what I found, with links to pages, articles and websites.
Playing it safe.
To
meet the requirements to keep your Canadian provincial health coverage, not
exceed the maximum consecutive days allowed in the USA and to remain exempt of becoming
considered a USA resident in the eyes of the IRS (USA’s equivalent to CRA), you
should spend no more than 120 days per calendar year in the USA.
General rules:
Heath Care: To ensure you don't lose your provincial medical coverage, OHIP for Ontario or Medicare for New Brunswick, you must be in the province for at least 153 days during a 12 month period. That means you can be absent from the either province for a total of 212 days, to maintain your eligibility.
Additional information can be found at the following pages.
Length of stay: Canadians with a valid passport, can “generally”
stay in the USA up to 6 months (180 days) from the time of entry.
However, if you spend the maximum number of days annually,
you may have to pay the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) income taxes on your
worldwide income! The IRS has a formula
to calculate if you meet the “Substantial Presence Test”.
The Substantial Presence Test (IRS) – The magic number of
days you want to stay under is 183.
Example:
- Current year (ie 2018): total days count
- Previous year (ie 2017): total days divided by 3 counts
- Two years previous (ie 2016): total days divided by 6 counts
- Example 1: 120 + (120/3) + (120/6) = 180
- You are OK
- Example 2: 150 + (126/3) + (24/6) = 196
- You would not be OK – will need to fill form 8840
- You are present in the USA for less than 183 days during current the year.
- You paid your income taxes in Canada the current year.
- You have a closer connection to Canada, have a home, …
- Form 8840 - Conditions for a Closer Connection to a Foreign Country (IRS)
- The country of residence you designate on forms and documents;
- The location of:
- Your permanent home,
- Your family,
- Your personal belongings, such as cars, furniture, clothing, and jewelry,
- Your current social, political, cultural, or religious affiliations,
- Your business activities (other than those that constitute your tax home);
- The jurisdiction in which you hold a driver's license;
- The jurisdiction in which you vote; and
- Charitable organizations to which you contribute.
Extended Stay:
If you plan on being in the USA longer
then the initial 6 months. It is recommended that you apply to extend your stay
at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires.
- Form I-539 – Extend your stay (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
- There is a filing fee of $370 (each applicant)
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Info Pages/Links :
Copied from CBC News Site:CBC NEWS ARTICLE - CANADIAN SNOWBIRDS: RULES YOU NEED TO KNOW
Copied from Government of Canada Site:
TAXATION FOR CANADIANS TRAVELLING, LIVING OR WORKING OUTSIDE CANADA
Copies from www.snowbirdadvisor.ca site:
U.S. RESIDENCY RULES EVERY CANADIAN SNOWBIRD MUST KNOW
Link: Lots of good information on this site. Worth a read.
Link: Substantial Presence Test
Link: IRS Site - Conditions for a Closer Connection to a Foreign Country
Link: Government of Canada Site
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