neiks

"I have a buddy that is a Canadian Customs border dude,maybe u know him,"

I just might Flames! You never know - I meet people from across the country on training all the time.

Howdy Flames, Krikit, & Udella&Wiz,

Just checking in on the old stomping grounds! How's everyone been?

Almost 8 years later and still living in the US and commuting to Canada to work. CPB hasn't ousted me yet!

^{LOL.... funny, I feel with the more years of experience, I know less and less each year.}

Agree with Flames (Hi Flames! - Been a long time) Even though I still work for Canada - protecting Canada and it's people, I still believe it is in my and my family's best interest to also become a US citizen. Does not mean I am any less a Canadian. I do take oaths and pledges very seriously and know of other non-us citizens that say the pledge of allegiance at events - I do not. My kids (both dual) have asked me why I do not say the pledge of allegiance and I simply tell them I am not an American citizen but when and if I do become one I will recite it with them. As for the US citizenship oath, I do have a moral struggle with it. I guess I will try to keep it in perspective that in the US I am obliged to follow American laws but their laws have no bearing on Canadian law, thus for Canada legal purpose, can not dictate my citizenship of another country. I feel the pros do out weigh the cons. As Kathryn stated, the US tax implications are huge upon death of your spouse. Not that anyone wants to think about that but it is important to be aware of that. In some people's case it may not be a big implication - in my and my family situation it would be huge. Secondly, the ability and right to vote in elections. We have chosen the US as our home and raise our family here, therefore I feel it is important to have a say in the government not just at federal and state level but more importantly to me at the local and school elections. And lastly, at some point in my life, when my kids are off on their own, I may choose to return and stay in Canada for extended periods of time and do not want to ever be restricted from entering into the US for what ever reason and as a US citizen it becomes my right to come and go as I please.

Make a list of all the goods coming back with you before you get to the border. It can be fairly general such as "1 box kitchen ware" and list furniture and more expensive items such as electronics. Include an approx value of the items you list. If you are bringing anything at a later date, make a separate list of these goods (goods to follow). Although you have already resumed your residency in Canada but have yet to make a declaration of your used goods coming back - (called a B4 form) you should be fine with bringing your goods back without having to pay any taxes. Just explain it to the Border Officer exactly what happened. Unless you have really really expensive and brand new goods then you should not have any problems. Good luck!

It is not unusual for customs to look through your laptop or cell phone. In today's time people keep their entire lives on a electronic device thus is a huge tool in finding illegal activity. Many significant arrests of pedophiles has occured this way and important intel gathered. And yes, Canada Customs does had the absolute authority to examine your laptop, phone or any other goods you are bring into to Canada.

Hi All! Been awhile but I need some trusty VJ experience. Needing to transfer a large sum of money to the US. What exchange broker's are currently giving the best rate? Is Customs house still good? Generally, I do small amounts via the convenience of RBC but just shopping around to see if I can get a better rate somewhere else.

CHEERS!!

Neiks

<sub>Go to the border to extend the stay I think. My manager moved up here from the Boston area and I think that's what he did but I will double check with him on Monday when I see him next for you!

Also check out the Canada immigration site</sub>

_{This is not the recommended way to extend your stay and yes, you could possibly be denied. If you were put on a "visistor record" then please read the back of it. Also check out the Canada immigration site http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5551ETOC.asp and}

_{http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/extend/visa.asp}

I have heard of one individual - a US citizen returning from a visit to Canada for a weekend without a passport - who was allowed back into the US but only after a very long wait, a thorough grilling and a stern lecture about trying to re-enter the US without a passport. It was about 6 hours before they finally allowed him to enter. This was at a land border POE - either one of the Windsor area ones or one of the Niagara area ones, but I don't remember now which it was. For some reason, Lewiston, NY comes to mind so that may have been it. (He was an historic re-enactor).

lol...I would bet that the 6 hours was probably more related to the examination of his goods he may have been travelling with if he was a "historic re-enactor". I can just imagine how that played out. CBP officer "you have what with you?"

You are correct and you will be considered a non resident for CBSA purposes of tax exemptions. As a non resident you may bring gifts up to $60 each duty and tax free. So basically it is a per item and as long as each item is under $60 no duty or tax. If the item is over $60 then you may have to pay duty and tax on the amount over $60.

Items ordered by Canadian residents and shipped to your location in the US for convenience do not qualify as a gifts.

Examples: You are bringing up christmas presents....$50 sweater for Dad, $40 perfume for Mom, $20 toy for nephew and $350 TV for Grandma. Dad's, Mom's Nephew's gift no duty or tax. Grandmas's Tv $350-$60 = $290 value for duty and tax to be collected on.

Canadian brother in law orders $760 from Cabelas and has it shipped to your address in the US and you are going to bring the items up for him. His order consists of 38- $20 duck decoys. You will be paying duty and tax on his behalf on the $760 at the border when you bring them up for him as they are not bon a fide gifts.

PS... we (CBSA) don't care about cookies unless we are feeling hungry at the time.

Have yet to see a Canadian refused entry or a US citizen not allowed back into the US at a land border for not having a passport.

Well, you may be able to buy them in the US but I'm not sure if you can bring them in from Canada. I just had a person sent back from US customs this past easter that had to dispose of his kinder eggs before crossing the border into the US. Maybe the US Customs guys didn't get the memo. If, it's the actual capsule that is the choking hazard and not the toy, then it's kind of humorous that two of the kinder eggs sent back where the giant versions and the capsules were as big as a 8 oz cup. Not sure how a kid was going to choke on that. Ah...good fun I had giving the US guys a ribbing on keeping the country safe when they called over to give us the heads up they were sending some folks back that had kinder eggs.

I do the RBC US/Canada online transfers all the time. Have had the accounts for many years and have had no problems with their services and anytime I have called they have been very helpful. Would recommend the RBC personally.

Your child will be considered a Canadian citizen via you as the Canadian parent. You will not be require the baby to have the " document proof" of a citizenship card or CND passport as you are the "physical" proof with your Canadian citizenship ID and a birth certificate of your child listing you as the parent. Documentry proof would only be needed at the point the child is not traveling with the Canadian parent. Apply for the citizenship card and you will be fine until it arrives.

Kids only have US passports. Oldest has a Canadian birth certificate and youngest has his Canadian citizenship card. That is all that is required to prove Canadian citizenship for both and those documents do not expire.

Tell them exactly what you said here. As long as the non Canadian citizen doesn't have a criminal record there really should be no problem with it.

Yes, I did with both my children. I live in the US and I work in Canada and pay into EI and am eligible for the maternity/paternity benefits. Enjoy your time off - you will be the envy of every new mother in the US.

Hi everyone! I am still around occasionally if anyone has any questions for me. Please feel free to inbox me anytime.

Interesting topic. As of lately I have been thinking of taking "the step" and becoming a US citizen. I have been eligible for a few years now but until recently I have not seriously considered it. Possibly thinking of a career change as I am becoming more and more frustrated with the Canadian gov't and my job with CBSA. Anything similar in "my field" would probably require US citizenship.

Thanks Neiks! I am rather new to this "adventure" but I figure forewarned is forearmed. Here's the situation and it is just developing...

I am a home owner in Ontario. I am employed as a full-time teacher in the Ontario public school system. I have been dating a man living an hour away in the US.

So far, I am travelling there twice a week, and staying usually three nights a week. Marriage maybe in the future but that would be a couple of years down the road. My understanding is that if I keep my time in the US below 50%, I will not create a red flag at border crossings. I do have a NEXUS card to make border crossings quickly. Down the road, should we decide to live together, before marriage, would I be able to travel back to work in Canada? If I do increase my stay time above 50% will this jeopardize any future applications? I realize I am asking well ahead of time, however I am a very honest person and am always transparent in answering questions to the border patrol and also in the interview for my NEXUS card.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I always chuckle when the term "red flag" appears in this forum. Contrary to what people believe there is no such thing as a "red flag" that pops up on the computer screen when your id is entered into the system. The scanning of the id is simply a way to log your passage and info into the computer. Your traveling history doesn't automatically pop up nor does it if you have been previously secondary. Only if you were a subject of a look-out would anything at all appear. And a person doesn't become a subject of a look-out easily. A physical query actually has to be run to pull up your passage history. A 'red flag" would be better defined as setting off the primary officers suspicion that something is not right.

As "living together before marriage" isn't going to be an option other than through the fiancé visa. I'm sure there will be plenty of others on this board that will tell you that this is a big no no for may reasons. Once you are married and have your PR status you can travel back and forth to work and return home to the US daily. If your work in Canada involved spending extended periods of time in Canada and not returning to the US then you are best to check with US CBP on the legal requirements to keep your status.

Good luck on your journey.

Surprised that the Phoenix one will be closing due to the large number of Canadian snowbirds in the area.

Edit: Ah, I read again and see the Consular service isn't affected.

I know that our Trade division of CBSA was majorly affected with the budget cuts.

I think you can activate your visa at any port - even the small ones. They may not be familiar with doing it as they don't do it on a regular basis but they can pull out their manual and get it done or call someone for help. If in doubt, just give them a call directly and they will tell you for sure if they are capable of doing it or not. I activated mine at a very small prairie port - but then again that was a few years back.

For your taxes I would put "married" but filing "separately". Where it ask for spouse SIN # you can put "none" Non-Resident of Canada. You will still provide spouses name and address. Residence eligibility for health care and taxes can be different. For example, I am considered a residence for CRA tax purposes but not a residence to be eligible for Manitoba medical. Where are you living right now if you do not have your US status? If you are still in Canada then you will still be a Canadian resident. If you have been in the US but have now returned to live in Canada then your "clock" for your residency for healthcare purposes has already started. Your challenge will to prove the date you returned to Canada and you may or may not of got "former resident" "B4" issued to you when you moved back or at the least a stamp in your passport if you drove across a land border. I need a little more info to offer anymore advice.

However, paying Canada taxes does not mean that you will be doubled taxed. You will get a US tax credit for income taxes paid to a foreign country. For example; Canada tax your income at 25%. The US tax your income at 35%. You will not end up pay 60% (25% + 35%)in taxes. The US will give you a foreign tax credit. The US will charge you only 10% (35% - 25% tax credit for taxes paid to Canada).

So, please excuse my early morning fog from my last post. I do know that I do not claim the Foreign Income Exclusion and it is the Foreign Tax Credit that I get on my US federal return.

This makes sense to me now as in Canada I am was taxed roughly at 29% and in the US at 28% so hence why I didn't owe to the IRS. Aaron2020's explanation of the Foreign Income Exclustion got me confused at 4am

This is all very interesting to me, Neiks! Thanks for sharing. I too am thinking of continuing to work for my private sector employer after POE and commute from Niagara Falls, NY to Toronto a couple of times of week.

Your mention of "factual resident of Canada" for tax purposes is something I was not aware of. Does this mean you end up paying more tax than if you were living in Canada ie. do you pay US Federal, State AND Canadian Federal taxes or do you use the Foreign tax credits and end up paying what you would if you lived in Canada?

Hi MVJ. I'm by no means an expert in tax issues, so really have no reply for what was posted above. I pay a very reputable CA that is experienced and knowledgable in international tax issues to do my taxes. All I can tell you from my experience is that I am taxed in Canada as any other normal Canadian resident. I file US federal tax and claim all my "worldwide income" and do not pay/owe any federal tax to the IRS(due to the tax treaty - an don't know how all that works - that's why I pay a professional to do it) but I do pay state income tax (as I have been told by my CA - state's do not have to follow the tax treaty).

I don't beleive I claim a "Foreign Income Exclusion" on my US return (don't have my tax return in front of me to check) so I don't beleive my US permaent residency is ever in question. My advice is to consult with a experienced and knowledgable tax international tax expert.