neiks

Know,

Stick with this forum, it is a wealth of knowledge and experience. You are here now so use it as a great resource to get all the information you need to make your decision on what you are going to do. This is not a simple straight forward process and it's not just as easy as falling in love and getting married and moving to another country to be together forever. I encourage research before doing anything, as it will eliminate many heartaches in the future.

I applied using my new hyphenated name, maiden name-husbands name. I asked a CBP officer if it I should change my passport and he told me not to worry about it. I think with using both your names (in your case your maiden name as a second name) you will at least have a cross reference to prove you are that same person.

I think this would be an advantage rather than dropping your maiden name all together.

did anyone else notice Kate's mom at the diner with Sawyer??

The waitress? Was that Kate's mom?

Now did I miss something? Did Sawyer not put the money into the nap sack and give it to his girlfriend when he told her to go and wait at the hotel? OR was that fake money? Now what was the whole thing with his partner if he was intending to follow through with the con? Was he conning him too - so he didn't have to share the money?

So, was it Charlie that followed Locke to get the guns for Sawyer while he was in the hatch?

I missed an episode where Locke showed Michael how to shot. Did Michael take off to find Walt?

Hard to keep up with this - it's almost nice to have the repeats to figure out what the hells going on.

I think people just get fustrated waiting in their own process. Some people have been separated from their loved ones for a long time. When someone new gets on here and says "yeah, I'm wanting to move to the US next month" and how can we do it faster, people tend to get a bit annoyed. IF there was a faster way wouldn't we all be doing it now.

I talked to a CBP officer today and they told me not to worry about it.

I have been worrying about this tax thing for about a month now. I had a million questions, so I decided to buy a consultation with Mark Serbinski ($125), and it was very helpful.

I have decided to bite the bullet and have him do my Canadian and our joint US taxes this year. To begin with, I like the idea of it all being done by one person, rather than Paul doing our US tax, and me or H&R Block doing the Canadian. He might also know of things we can write off that we didn't think of. Also, you unfortunately you can't do your "goodbye Canada" return on an e-filing software, nor can you do form 8891 or the Treasury forms in the US (for RRSPs) on e-file, at least not yet.

So.........we decided that it would be best in this the most complicated year to get an expert in cross border taxes to do it. This way we will have a template for next year when we do it ourselves.

Yet another unexpected expense, but hopefully it will be worth it

Please let us know how it works out and if you don't mind what kind of cost it was for you. I'm considering using them next year for 2005. They are really helpful on their forum - even though Nelsona is kind of a crab!

Glad to hear all went well!

Thanks - worked great and I now have a pic of us on our wedding day on the beach in Jamaica.

I can't figure out how to get a picture small enough to make as my avatar

I130 papers completed and signed and ready to go - but waiting on picture of hubby.

I wonder the same thing. Love by morphing of the spirits???

Sorry this is what's on their site:

Canadian Individual Returns:

Federal T1 return;

Filing for one province or territory.

Return may include investment income and capital transactions, on a full or part year residence basis.

Average fees: $CDN 350 to 650. (per couple)

United States Individual Returns:

Federal 1040 or 1040 NR return

One state return

Form 90.22.1

Election under Rev Proc 89-45

Dual status optimization

Return may include investment income and capital transactions, on a full year or part year residence basis.

Average fees: $US 300 - 750. (per coup

and

Our program works like this:

You provide us with a deposit of $US 125. or $CDN 205 (including GST)., depending on the primary nature of advice sought.

We will provide an initial review of your situation, and will render advice on filing status, residency, tax jurisdiction or other tax planning or compliance issues for either Canada, the United States, or both. In providing this review, we will examine tax returns or other documents you provide, and will provide you with guidance, based on the information you supply, as to the most beneficial or required tax strategy.

If you use our firm for income tax preparation or consultation services within twelve months of the initial consultation, WE WILL CREDIT THE FULL AMOUNT OF YOUR DEPOSIT TO YOUR ACCOUNT for services rendered by our firms.

I saw their rate schedule - something like $250 each for completion of your Canada and US tax return. On the Serbinski site you can pay a deposit of $250 for a consultation and then if you decide to use their service you will be credited the $250 towards your balance due.

I'm tempted?

Who is getting the background check, the USC or the intended immigrant? I don't think the USC would need a background check and it would be standard procedure for the immigrant.

Just wondering if it's really necessary to send my Passport in to get an observation in my Passport for my married name. This is the info on the Passport Offices website:

Change of name

If your name changes after you have been issued a passport, you may either use the existing passport and carry documentary evidence of the name change, or apply for a passport in the new name.

Note: It is possible to add a spousal surname observation to a valid passport that was issued in your surname at birth. As there are no standardized forms for this procedure, this service is available by forwarding the passport issued in the surname at birth, with a letter requesting the service and the fee of $12. A copy of your marriage certificate must also be submitted.

If I didn't get the observation would I have to carry my marriage certificate around? I hyphenated my maiden and married name on my driver's licence. Does this it make any difference as I go through the CR1 process? We are using my newly married hyphenated name on all the applications.

My passport expirs in Nov 07 so I really don't want to apply for a new one right now.

We are right there beside you. The I-130 package is ready to go - just got to get a good picture of the hubbie for the g-325A.

Best of luck to you!

Just a point of clarification. The passport style photo is submitted with the petition not the G-325A

ummm????? A G 325A has to be submitted for both of us with the i-130, right??? The guide said to attach the photos to the corresponding G325As???? So are they not both being submitted together?????

I almost missed putting in the form declaring all copies as being true copies of originals!!

And what is this????? I didn't read anything about this in the guide????? Is this needed for the I-130???? Where do I get this form from????

Just when I thought I had it all under control - now I'm confused again.

Has anyone used one of those international tax services such as the Serbinski Accounting firm afiliated with the forum mentioned by Scott or Keats, Connelly & Associates (the Border Guide)? The seem like they could be pretty spending to get to do your taxes and am wonder if there is any huge benefit to their services?

I am worried about using a regular tax preparer like H&R and getting someone that really doesn't know the US/Canada tax situation and I won't get full benefit of the tax treaty and tips.

Good luck! Be sure to let us know how it went.

We are right there beside you. The I-130 package is ready to go - just got to get a good picture of the hubbie for the g-325A.

Best of luck to you!

Don't plan on getting one. Still work in Canada and contribute to pension plan here.

Congrats. Good luck to you in the future