Bird Talk » Dollars & Sense

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, Having recently purchased condos in both Ontario and Florida, we are just about to join the ranks of the snowbirds. Is it necessary to set up a bank account in the U.S., or have you found it possible to get along with just a Canadian bank and a VISA card? Arthur Wenk, […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, I recently found out about the 180-day time permitted in the U.S. We are Canadian citizens who own property in the U.S. and we spend an average of about six months per year (three winter, three summer). However, we were unaware of this Form 8840 Closer Connection to Canada until two weeks […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, Reading your article on Jim Flaherty makes me ask you, “Can we claim our premium for travel insurance policy on our income tax? I have paid premiums for three years now and didn’t realize that we could claim them. Also, can I claim out-of-pocket medical expenses for dentist bills which we incurred […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, I have struggled with this form (8840) for a while now. Here’s the reason why. I have sold my home in Canada. I have a permanent address in Canada inasmuch as my wife’s sister and brother-in-law have a complete suite furnished in their basement and said that we have a bona fide […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, Re: letter from Ken Perry. I checked my Star bill for the last two months and, sure enough, they charged me for the paper during my vacation stop. I have now cancelled my subscription. Neil Fenton, Ontario Response: Ed.: All of the newspapers are having financial difficulties as advertising dollars migrate to […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, In Arizona, snowbirds are non-primary residents and are classed as category 4 subsection 1 for property taxes, which excludes us from protection from licensed trades that go bankrupt, and from making a claim through the Registry of Arizona Contractors to their Recovery Fund. This requires a classification of 3 (primary residence). So […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, This year will be our first snowbird year. We will enter the U.S. on Dec. 28th. Do we have to fill out the 8840 for 2013? If yes, when do we send it in? Othello Jones Sauble Beach, ON Response: Ed.: If you are staying for less than three months, every year, […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, My husband and I are retiring this January and are planning to spend our winters in either Arizona or Texas. Is there a U.S. bank that is a better choice for Canadians? We are heading to Arizona for February and to Texas in March and would like to open a chequing account […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, Please advise all our members of a very dishonest policy the Toronto Star has installed without any notice to their readers. No credit will be permitted to your account when you leave for your annual trip (meaning, do not pay in advance or better still, CANCEL prior to new billing that would […]

Posted date : Nov 4, 2017.

Dear Bird Talk, In your always informative Editor’s notes in the Summer 2013 issue, you mentioned that snowbird visitors are not allowed to work in the U.S. Is this different than for any other Canadian? For example, what about Canadians who give the occasional speech or lead a workshop at a conference in the U.S., […]