BirdTalk Dear Bird Talk, Be very careful when choosing which bank you deal with in the U.S.!!! From our experience, you will see what I am referring to. On Jan. 3, 2018, we deposited a Canadian draft in U.S. currency into the U.S. bank. We have been snowbirds for 10 years and this is the only bank we have dealt with. Our draft, which is what we have always used and which is for a considerable amount – as it has to last us for three months – is something we have never had an issue with before. This year, however, the bank said that they had to send it to a collection agency (which just so happens to be their own collection agency, not a thirdparty agency), to determine if it is valid and not counterfeit. Fair enough. However, that was Jan. 3. Today is March 3!!!! It is now in its ninth week and still no money!!! They state that credit is received only when funds are received from the drawee bank, which may take up to six weeks or longer. And, to add insult to injury, the U.S. bank courier fee is $45 and the U.S. bank initiation fee is $40. Also, fees imposed by paying foreign banks are collected on all cheques presented, paid and unpaid, with Canadian items ranging from $40 to $200. A very substantial amount of money that I have to pay to deposit my money in their bank!!!!!!! Soooooo, be very careful when selecting which bank you choose to deal with while in the U.S. Rich and Elaine Meckler Ed.: We see this time and time again – crazy fees and charges, and exchange rates that are exorbitant. I was very pleased to see the Meckler’s detailed case with all of the issues exposed. Now you know how bad it can be – and this was with U.S. dollars. We suggest that you talk to more than one bank before committing, and we recommend that you use the CSA Currency Exchange program for great results. Dear Bird Talk, If you have a U.S. Individual Taxpayer ID number but have not filed a U.S. tax return for three years, the Tax ID number will expire. Can you confirm that filing Form 8840 – Closer Connection form does NOT constitute filing a U.S. tax return? Bob Bovaird Ed.: Filing the Form 8840 does NOT constitute filing a tax return. It is designed to let the U.S. tax division know that you are not resident in the United States and that you pay your taxes elsewhere. Dear Bird Talk, My wife and I filed a Closer Connection Form 8840 this year (2018) relative to our seasonal stay in Florida. Having done so, does this extend the length of time for which we are entitled to stay in the U.S. this calendar year and, if so, by how many days? Thanks for your help. Maxine and Mel Wasserman Toronto, Ontario Ed.: Absolutely not! There are two very different issues which snowbirds must be concerned with in dealing with the U.S. government. The Form 8840 is for the tax department (IRS) and you are wise to file it every year. Your length of stay is of concern to the Department of Homeland Security (formerly the INS) and the maximum stay is six months in any 12-month period, unless special circumstances are filed and approved by the Department of Homeland Security. They rarely approve extensions. Please note that the Form 8840 is based on a calendar year, like your taxes. BUT the length of stay is based on ANY 12-month period. Dear Bird Talk, What do I write on line 1 for type of U.S. visa? For the U.S. address at the top of the page, do I write the resort address I go to? Eugene Turcotte Girouxville, AB Ed.: On line 1., put “B” visa and the date in the year you entered (i.e. Nov 1) For your address, the resort address is correct. Dear Bird Talk, On page 9 of the summer 2017 CSANews, in the Bird Talk section, the editor talked about travel insurance and “the regular care and monitoring of a chronic condition.” Having “an incredible battery of tests at a bus in a pharmacy parking lot for $149” sounds great, until a situation requiring outof-province medical attention arises from a procedure in that battery of tests and one’s travel insurance won’t be there to cover for that situation. As a result of reading that particular post by the editor, I have three (3) questions for Medipac: 1. If a Medipac-insured person has blood work drawn once per month while out of the province for the winter, to monitor an ongoing condition, and a situation requiring medical attention arises from the procedure (for example, an infection from the procedure), is the insured person covered by Medipac for that situation? 2. If a Medipac-insured person continues to take his/her regular chiropractic adjustments while out of the province for the winter and a situation requiring medical attention arises from the chiropractic procedure, is the insured person covered by Medipac for that situation? 3. Can a Medipac-insured person donate blood as part of a blood-bank blood drive while out of the province for the winter? Thanks Bird Talk! Linda S. St. Williams, ON Ed.: Excellent questions. If something new is found at the “bus” during or after the screening exams, it is 100% covered by Medipac (subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, of course). And… 1: The drawing of blood is not covered, as you know, but any reaction, infection or other related difficulty IS covered arising from that blood withdrawal; 8 | www.snowbirds.org
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzMzNzMx