Written by Tosif Hanif, CPA, ACCA, ACFE, MSc — Director, Accounting and Finance, Wall Tax Pro, Mississauga.
If you are a US citizen, green card holder, or earn income in the United States while living in Canada, you are likely filing in two countries. The systems interact, but they do not align automatically.
US citizens file regardless of where they live
The United States taxes on citizenship, not residency. A US citizen living in Mississauga still has an annual US return obligation even when all income is Canadian and all tax has been paid to the CRA.
Avoiding double taxation
The foreign tax credit and the foreign earned income exclusion are the two main tools, and the right choice depends on income type, tax rates paid, and your longer-term plans. Choosing incorrectly in an early year can be difficult to reverse.
Foreign account reporting
Reporting thresholds catch ordinary Canadian accounts, and penalties for missed reporting are severe relative to the tax involved.
- Chequing, savings and investment accounts
- TFSAs and RESPs, which receive unfavourable US treatment
- Corporate accounts where you hold signing authority
Canadians earning US income
Rental property, business income, or employment days performed in the US can create a US filing requirement and state-level obligations. Treaty positions need to be claimed correctly rather than assumed.
Getting both returns prepared together
Wall Tax Pro prepares Canadian and US filings side by side so credits, timing and reported figures line up across both returns.
Need help with this in Mississauga?
Wall Tax Pro provides professional tax, accounting, bookkeeping and advisory support for clients in Mississauga, across Canada, and for US filers. Call 647-297-4793 or send us a message.
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