Sample Answers
"I am a Canadian citizen and have an opportunity to contract my services to a company in the U.S. This will include two trips, each of 4 days. What tax exemption form do I need to fill for the U.S. company/IRS? What do I need regarding working permits?"
Read Answer
"I'm a U.S. resident holding Canadian rental property. If I sell it, would I be taxed differently being a Canadian living in the U.S. and do you pay capital tax on 50% of the profit? I am trying to get money together to buy an apartment building in the U.S."
Read Answer
"I'm a Canadian citizen currently working in the US on a TN visa without residential ties to Canada. I have built up some cash in a 401k. I anticipate moving back to Canada in the middle of next year. I would like to access some of my 401k dollars to help make a downpayment on a house there. Should I transfer the 401k to an RRSP? Does my RRSP Contribution Limit apply? Should I consider borrowing from my 401k but otherwise leaving the money in the US?"
Read Answer
"I am a US citizen permanently residing in Canada. I am retired and my major income is pensions from the US, and IRA withdrawals. My question is what part of this income is taxable in Canada, according the the tax treaty, and how do I handle it on my Canada tax return?"
Read Answer
"I am a self-employed musician. A friend told me that I could not claim a deduction on my income tax return for automobile expenses relating to trips from my home to my engagements. Is this true?"
Read Answer
"What special forms are there for entry to Canada? We are playing music festivals in Canada and will pay taxes at the end of the year. Do we need any info from the festivals for customs officials?"
Read Answer
"I'm a musician living in Victoria, and I was offered a gig in the San Juan Islands. How to I get a visa to go down and work in the U.S.?"
Read Answer
"I Sold my House for less than $500,000. Do I Need to File Form 1099-S?"
Read Answer
"I am working on getting a new incorporated music school started in Victoria. We are starting some lessons next week, but the real opening of the school is January. In the mean time we have some questions about things relating to bookkeeping, legal stuff, and otherwise. I figure you can point us in the right direction. Here are some of our burning questions:
Do we charge GST on private music lessons? Group music lessons? How do we handle contracting vs employing our teachers? We need advice in writing their contracts so we don't get in trouble from Revenue Canada down the road. How do we register for GST? Can you advise us on how to set up our books, what programs to use, etc.?"
Read Answer
"I'm recording a CD. Do I have to fill out 1099's for the musicians on the record? I paid them either $500 or $1000."
Read Answer
"I live in Edmonton and just purchased a rental property on Vancouver Island. Can I deduct my travel costs to and from the property? What else can I deduct?"
Read Answer