Questions about moving to the US

Hello!

this is my first post in the forum and really happy I found a place to ask questions and learn from fellow canucks who are also working abroad!

I will be moving to the US on July 15th for two years as a consultant (first years as TN, second as H1-B), then two years as a grad student.

I had a few questions I would like to get advice on:

1) I will have provincial coverage for the first year (until I get H1-B and my employer's coverage), what kind of health coverage can I get until then? I checked with sunlife and manulife, but they wont cover for the US.

2) Should I declare non-residency right now? I will be self-employed for the next 12 months (during the period I'll be working as a TN) and unclear if I should cut all ties with country. (also declaring non-residency will cut my provincial healthcare coverage, which might make the new coverage more expensive?)

3) If I'm still resident, how do you work out the taxes, as I'll be self-employed for the rest of the year. Do I need to pay canadian or us taxes? Do I need to make "installments of income taxes" to the Canadian and/or US governments?

The process is a bit overwhelming and I have yet to find any comprehensive document. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a lot!

Ed

I got some answer on #2 and #3 searching the forums with google (can't post the URL sadly), but still stuck with #1. Any idea?

You'd have to purchase from a US company, although you might want to try for travel insurance, you can usually get that for up to a year. Depends on whether you plan on coming back.

Have a read of this: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/p151/README.html if you haven't already found the link.

The CRA and IRS tell you which forms to fill in but they don't tell you the best strategy, i.e. whether to carry on filing in Canada and claiming the foreign tax credit, or whether to move your tax home to the US.

In a nutshell, if you plan on coming back, then you should keep your tax home as Canada. The only exception to that rule is if you will save a ton of money on tax by only paying tax in the US, and that money is sufficient to pay a really good accountant as there are a LOT of forms you have to keep track of if you move your tax home to the US and then move it back to Canada later, as detailed in page 2 of this thead: http://www.canuckabroad.com/forums/rrif ... t3797.html

I'd just get travelers insurance, like Blue Cross or something like that.

I just called Blue Cross who said they'd cover me for $91 per year, which is surprisingly low (was expecting $200 per month). Either they didn't understand I'd be living in NYC (with a trip back every other week-end), or that's just what it costs for a year long of emergency medical coverage?

They're usually pretty cheap. But as it states, it just for emergency care, not for regular doctor visits if you get a sore throat or need a physical.

Which is probably fine as I'll be back in Montreal every other week-end and would be able to take a day off to go see a doctor.

Thanks!

Hey,

This is what is stated at the regie website

"I will be away from Québec for several months. Are there any special precautions I should take?
Yes. You must notify the Régie. Being outside Québec for 183 or more days during a calendar year could end your Health Insurance Plan coverage for that entire year. Before leaving, it is important that you check with the Régie to find out whether your coverage will be affected.

Please refer to the section on temporary stays from Québec for information concerning your situation."

You might need to get insurance if you are gone more than 6 months but I would check

Most provinces require you to cancel your health care insurance if you leave the country to take up residence somewhere else. There are legal and monetary consequences if they decide that you've used their services illegally.

Thanks. Already checked and filed a "temporary departure" form with them (you're good for 1 year every 7 years out of the province). Also, given I'm leaving after july 2nd, I'm covered for the year, so emergency coverage "should" be fine (I hope!)