i'm new to this site and i've been reading some of the posts trying to figure out my income tax return situation. i believe it's pretty straight forward but i was wondering if anyone could help me verify whether some of my understandings are correct here.
1. i came to the u.s. for school since aug 2005 for a professional degree. i really haven't lived in canada in 4 yrs except for visiting families. i have, however, always filed income tax returns in canada and it's worked so far with no problem (as far as i know) since i had no income here (though a huge tuition claim, like $48,000 a year). now, is it bad that i never filed income tax in the states in the past 4 years? but i'm filing one now?
2. i'm currently under a F-1 visa doing my OPT training at a hospital, i'm still considered a student by my university i believe. i have been getting paid since july 2009. so for the year of 2009, i need to file a return. now, for the u.s., i just need to file the 1044NR-EZ form, right? and then for canada, i still need to file a T1 form, but claim my foreign tax credit? i highly doubt that i will end up owing the canadian government any taxes because i don't get paid a lot anyway as a hospital resident.
3. but just thinking ahead, i expect my income to be substantially more for the year of 2010. i have no intention whatsoever of returning to canada any time soon (maybe in 20 years when my parents get really old), and i have heard of this "making my tax home the u.s. instead of canada" thing. so my question is: (a) if i applied for this change of tax home, will i be responsible for the so called "departure tax"? i've never had any properties in canada, i was only 24 when i left and never owned a house or car there. and how long would this take effect? (b) i still have a valid health card and driver's license, with 2 bank accounts (both are tied to my professional student loans for making loan repayment, 3 if you count one semi-inactive guaranteed investment account, from when i was in undergrad) and 2 credit cards. how will all these affect my change of status? should i go ahead and cancel all my residential ties like the health card, driver's license, the investment account, and the 2 credit cards? (c) does this change of status mean that i'll pretty much have to apply for a H1B instead of using the TN when i get hired?
4. i just want to say thank you if you've read this far....and if anyone would be able to give me some pointers, that would be greatly appreciated!
thanks in advance!
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