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Guides · Cross-Border

Cross-Border guides

598 plain-English guides on cross-border, each one ending in what to do next.

All Cross-BorderUS TaxCanadian TaxSmall Business & BookkeepingCFO & AdvisoryTax Planning
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What cross-border tax help costsMoving from a Canadian city to the USMoving from a Canadian province to a US stateMoving from the US to a Canadian provinceLeaving Canada and departure taxMoving to the US: your first yearMoving to Canada from the USUS citizens and green card holders in CanadaCatching up on unfiled US returnsFBAR, FATCA, and foreign account reportingRenouncing citizenship and giving up a green cardSnowbirds, day counts, and tax residencyThe tax treaty, withholding, and formsCross-border retirement accounts and pensionsCross-border real estateCross-border estates, trusts, and giftsCross-border business and corporationsCross-border employment and equity compensationCross-border family and life eventsCross-border filing basics
Cross-Border

How Much Does a Dual-Status Tax Return Cost?

A dual-status return typically costs $1,500 to $2,500, several times a normal 1040. Two returns in one that can't be e-filed.

Sep 20, 2026
Cross-Border

How Much Does Expatriation Tax Advice Cost?

Renouncing US citizenship costs $450 at the State Department. The tax side, a final dual-status return and Form 8854, typically runs $3,500 to $7,500.

Sep 20, 2026
Cross-Border

How Much Does FBAR Filing Cost?

Filing the FBAR yourself costs nothing. A preparer adds $85 to $150 a year. Late filings cost more, and skipping one risks a $16,536 penalty.

Sep 20, 2026
Cross-Border

How Much Does Cross-Border Bookkeeping Cost for a Canadian with US Income?

Cross-border bookkeeping for a Canadian with US income typically runs $300 to $2,000 a month, a rough estimate that varies widely with the entities and currencies involved.

Sep 17, 2026
Cross-Border

How Much Does an ITIN Application Cost for a Canadian?

The IRS charges nothing for the ITIN itself, but W-7 prep, CAA certification, and the tax return it goes with typically add up to $1,000 to $3,000+, and fees vary widely.

Sep 17, 2026
Cross-Border

When Does a Canadian Business Create US Tax Nexus? Physical Presence, ECI, and the Treaty Shield

A Canadian business creates US tax nexus when it earns income that is effectively connected with a US trade or business.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Canadian CCPC with a US Shareholder: How Integration Breaks and What to Do About It

Canada's corporate integration system is designed so that income earned through a CCPC is taxed at roughly the same rate as income earned personally.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Canadian Departure Tax: The Deemed Disposition When You Leave Canada

When a Canadian resident emigrates, Canada treats them as having sold most of their property at fair market value on the date of departure.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Moving From Canada to the US: Tax Implications and Checklist

Moving from Canada to the US triggers Canada's departure tax, a final Canadian return and new US filings. What to do before you leave, in the move year and after.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

The US LLC Tax Trap for Canadians: Why a Disregarded Entity Creates Double Taxation

A Canadian who owns a single-member US LLC faces double taxation because Canada ignores the disregarded entity election.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Canadian RRSP and US Tax: How the US Treats Your Canadian Retirement Account

A US person with a Canadian RRSP faces a mismatch between how Canada and the US treat the account. Canada defers tax on RRSP contributions and growth.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Canadian Tax on US Social Security Benefits: How Canada Taxes Your American Retirement Income

A Canadian resident who receives US Social Security benefits reports only 85% on the Canadian return. The treaty and ITA 110(1)(f) determine the actual.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Cross-Border Alimony and Child Support: Tax When Payments Cross the Canada-US Border

Alimony paid across the border is taxed differently in each country. Since 2019, US alimony is neither deductible nor taxable.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Cross-Border Business Structures: Comparing Options for Operating in Both Canada and the US

A cross-border business must choose between an LLC, a corporation, and a branch. Each produces different tax consequences in Canada and the US.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Selling a Cross-Border Business: Tax on the Sale When Owner and Company Span Canada and the US

A share sale, asset sale, or earn-out each produce different tax results in Canada and the US. Treaty credits limit but do not eliminate double tax.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Cross-Border Charitable Donations: Tax Deductions When You Give Across the Canada-US Border

A Canadian can deduct US charity donations only against US-source income. US persons face the same cap on gifts to Canadian charities under Article XXI.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Cryptocurrency Tax for Cross-Border Canadians and Americans: How Both Countries Tax Crypto

Both Canada and the US tax cryptocurrency dispositions as capital events. Cross-border holders face additional reporting on foreign exchanges, FBAR.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Cross-Border Divorce: Tax Consequences of Property Division Between Canada and the US

Dividing property in a cross-border divorce can trigger tax in both Canada and the US. Treaty rules and each country's rollover provisions matter.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Cross-Border Estate and Inheritance Tax: What Happens When Assets and Heirs Are in Different Countries

The US imposes estate tax on worldwide assets of US persons and on US-situs assets of non-residents. Canada taxes gains at death through deemed.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Cross-Border Estate Planning for Canadians and Americans: How to Avoid Double Taxation at Death

When a person with assets in both Canada and the US dies, two countries can tax the same estate. Canada taxes deemed dispositions; the US taxes the estate.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Cross-Border Gift Tax: How Canada and the US Tax Gifts Between Family Members in Different Countries

The US imposes a gift tax on the donor. Canada and the US handle gifts in fundamentally different ways. Canada has no gift tax.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Cross-Border Medical Expenses: Tax Deductions for Healthcare Costs Paid in the Other Country

Medical expenses paid in the US by a Canadian resident and healthcare costs paid in Canada by a US person are deductible in the taxpayer's country.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Cross-Border Rental Property: Tax When a Canadian Owns US Real Estate (or Vice Versa)

Owning rental property across the Canada-US border creates filing obligations in both countries. Each country taxes the income and requires specific forms.

Sep 4, 2026
Cross-Border

Cross-Border Rental Property: Tax Rules for Canadians Renting US Property and Americans Renting Canadian Property

Owning rental property across the border creates filing obligations in both countries. Withholding, treaty elections, and foreign tax credits apply.

Sep 4, 2026