A few months ago, a new client walked into our office holding a letter from the CRA. He looked baffled. “I just rent out my basement on Airbnb on weekends,” he said. “How did they know exactly how much I made?”
There is a specific feeling every business owner knows. It’s that moment in April (or June, if you’re incorporated) when you look at your net profit, feel a surge of pride, and then look at the estimated tax bill and feel… mostly pain.
It’s a conversation we have almost every week. A client sits down, looking confused and a little frustrated. They’ve lived in Canada for fifteen years, they pay their taxes to the CRA on time, and they consider themselves fully Canadian.
It used to be that “foreign business income” was something only massive corporations worried about. Today, it’s Mark, a graphic designer in Toronto who freelances for a startup in New York. It’s Sarah, who sells handmade jewelry on Etsy to customers in France.
Imagine working hard all year, only to find out that both the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) want a full slice of your income. Suddenly, a $100,000 salary could look more like $40,000 after both countries take their cut.
Last month, a client came to us panicking about a $10,000 FBAR penalty notice. She had no idea her Toronto savings account needed to be reported to the IRS.
As cryptocurrency investing in Canada continues to grow, many incorporated professionals – especially consultants, IT specialists, and entrepreneurs – are asking an important question: Is it better to invest in crypto personally or through my corporation?
As families live and invest across borders, many people are surprised to learn how differently Canada and the United States handle taxes when someone passes away.
If you’re a Canadian with ties to the United States, whether through work, investments, property, or family, your taxes don’t stop at the border. Understanding how cross-border taxation works is crucial to protecting your money and staying on the right side of both tax authorities.
Thinking of moving to the U.S.? Don’t forget about Canada’s departure tax – it can cost you thousands if you don’t plan ahead.
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