Bird Talk

Posted date : May 13, 2019.

Hi, my husband and I have a 15-day Panama cruise booked out of Ft. Lauderdale next month. We will be departing from Toronto, ON and will spend one night in Ft. Lauderdale pre-cruise. 15 days later, we will disembark in San Francisco and will be departing from San Francisco for Toronto that same day. My […]

Posted date : May 13, 2019.

As a Canadian snowbird, I fill out an 8840 annually. On occasion, we have taken a cruise which originates in the U.S. How is this time included in my Form 8840? Of particular concern is a recent Alaska cruise which originated and ended in Seattle, WA, but could be in the Caribbean or to Hawaii. […]

Posted date : May 13, 2019.

My husband and I bought a home in St. Petersburg in 2014 and now drive there each fall and home in the spring. My question is, if we drive to Florida and spend three nights on the road each fall and three nights on the road coming home in the spring, do those nights on […]

Posted date : May 13, 2019.

The information in this section of CSANews is always very useful to snowbirds and others with some connection to the U.S. Could you please clarify your response to a recent letter in which you state that, “if you earn income in the U.S. you do have to file a U.S. tax return.” According to the […]

Posted date : May 13, 2019.

I know Canadians can’t work in the U.S. without a “green card,” but the definition of work has changed a lot lately. What about Canadians who “telecommute”? I work in software. This winter, I’ll be in Florida with my laptop and I’ll be earning a living while I’m there. So I’m working. I’m in the […]

Posted date : May 13, 2019.

I took particular note of your editor’s comment in the fall issue which stated, “I have found no rationale for the many and varied decisions given by border guards.” You are so right! Here is a classic example. My wife and I spend just less than six months each winter in California from late October […]

Posted date : Dec 15, 2017.

Just received the I-194 Form from a past conviction 40 years ago. My wife and I just crossed at Calgary on our way to Vegas. My passport was stamped February 26-August 23 – can we go to Arizona in November for 90 days? Really confused…been travelling back and forth for many years. Thomas T. Airdrie, […]

Posted date : Dec 15, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, I recently heard that the six-month rule was changed to seven months. Is this true? I also heard that nine months is in the works. Is this true? Also, for how long can I winter in the U.S. and not lose my Canadian pension? Winston Sharkey Cambridge, ON Response: Ed: Just to […]

Posted date : Dec 15, 2017.

Confused; friends go out of country for just under six months each and every year. How is this possible with calculating back two years prior. Is there something I am not understanding, as a lot of people I know do five to six months every year. Herman B. Port Colborne, ON Response: Ed.: Your friends […]

Posted date : Dec 15, 2017.

I have faithfully submitted my IRS 8840 Form for quite a few years now. My question is, can I stay past the 182-day limit by filling out the form? Or am I not protected by the friendly country alliance after the 182 days is up? Alex B. Victoria, BC Response: Ed.: Congratulations on regularly completing […]