Dear Bird Talk, Should a snowbird refrain from buying and holding U.S. securities in order to avoid any closer connection determination being made by the IRS/Homeland Security officials in scrutinizing an individual’s residency basis for an income tax status? Ralph McGiffin Ottawa, ON Ed.:We have never seen any negative repercussions from owning U.S. stocks. I have been trading U.S. stocks (in Canada) for 40 years without any issues, other than the tax withholdings which my accountant gets back eventually. Dear Bird Talk, I just received, on April 30, 2021, the following e-mail: ‘Wells Fargo now requires that all consumer retail deposit customers provide a valid primary physical address located within the United States or its territories. Your deposit account ending in xxxx currently has one or more account holders with a non-U.S. address on file, which does not meet our new requirements.’ I have had a bank account with Wells Fargo (formerlyWachovia Bank) since September 25, 2003; I go to the United States every year and keep a reasonable amount in the bank at all times. However, it appears that I now have 60 days to close my account. Are you aware of this new measure? Is there anything that can be done to keep the bank accounts open so that I can continue to benefit from the Snowbirds Currency Exchange Program? Thanks in advance. Gaston Guénette Gatineau QC Ed.: This is a recurring problem with U.S. banks that are worried about money laundering and criminal activity resulting in massive government fines. In our early days as snowbirds, we were with the First Union Bank, which became the Wachovia, which became the Wells Fargo − and we are still with them.We had a lawyer in Florida and used his address as a “Dropbox” and that resolved everything. Perhaps a close next-door neighbour who is a year-round resident could assist with your mail, as well. Dear Bird Talk, Is the CSA even aware of the Form I-94, as I never see any articles or questions about it?This form states how long a Canadian can spend in the U.S. and, every time I cross the border, people set it for only 90 days! It is so frustrating! Last time I asked a border security person to make it April 1, and he said that he had “no clue what I was talking about”!? “What’s an I-94?” I kid you not! So I continued to my snowbird destination condo in Las Vegas, Nevada, planning to stay until March 31. Out of curiosity and a feeling, I went to the website (see below) to check my status and it says that I must leave the U.S. by 31 December (when I crossed the Canadian/U.S. border on 1 November 2019). I ended up in a panic, as I planned to stay until April 1 2020 (prior to pandemic knowledge). Anyways, does anyone else have this problem with this I-94 Form that is completed by the border people as you drive through? Here is the website – it is for I-94 and shows the following tabs: “How much longer may I remain in the U.S.?” and “Need a History of Arrivals and Departures?” i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94 I ended up in a panic, having to call various numbers to find out how to extend this and was told that the only option was to leave and return to the U.S. – meanwhile, my border crossing was four days’ drive away at Port Huron to Ontario! I ended up talking to someone in immigration at the airport and they extended it for me over the phone! They were super nice and upset that this had been done to me. How can I get it stamped for longer than 60 or 90 days’ stay? Any information on this I-94 problem is appreciated. Sanford Long Utterson, ON Ed.: The CSA provides detailed information about the I-94 Form in the Travel Information Guide which is included in your CSA membership package. Since 2013, the I-94 Form, which is simply a record of your entry and departure from the United States, has been automated. Travellers can access their most recent I-94, as well as their travel history to the United States by visiting i94.cbp.dhs.gov. Travellers who believe that the information on their I-94 is incorrect will need to contact the nearest CBP port of entry or the nearest CBP deferred inspection office in person to have the information corrected. Travellers who are having continuing issues when entering the United States can submit an inquiry to the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) at the following website, www.dhs.govdhs-trip. BirdTalk 10 | www.snowbirds.org
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