Bird Talk Dear Bird Talk, We are snowbirds. One day at noon, my husband had a seizure out of the blue. He was taken to the hospital in Melbourne, Florida, where he remained for five days. He was then transferred to Toronto via air ambulance. All of this was organized and paid for by Medipac, which also included having our truck transported back home. Medipac staff were attentive and well organized. You just never know when you will need out-of-country insurance – it could be just a split second. Mary-Lou Gatward London, ON Ed.: We are glad to hear that this worked out well for you. Thanks for the compliments. Dear Bird Talk, I plan to enter the U.S. on November 1 for a six-month stay. I will return to Canada on April 30. I will take a two-week trip outside of the U.S. in January. Can I then use those two weeks for a trip to the U.S. in July? Paul Howard Wolfe Island, ON Ed.: We recommend that you include that short trip outside of the U.S. during your winter residency in your day count for the rolling 12-month period. You may have to shorten next year’s winter visit by two weeks in order to comply with the ‘sixmonths less a day’ rule going forward. Dear Bird Talk, Regarding question 28 [on Form 8840 - Closer Connection Exception Statement for Aliens] – “Did you have any income from U.S. sources?” Do we have to say yes if we have U.S. investments here in Canada with our Canadian financial investment firm with U.S. withholding tax? These amounts are already included in our Canadian tax returns. Would it be a good thing to put this note – “I have some U.S. investments with a Canadian financial investment firm with U.S. withholding tax.”? Gilles Gagnon Saguenay, QC Ed.: Since those investments are with a Canadian financial institution, they are not considered U.S. income. Dear Bird Talk, I believe I read that, if you were a Canadian who went to the U.S. and returned to Canada, you had to be out of the U.S. for 30 days or the clock keeps ticking as if you never left? Example: if you entered the U.S. and went back to Canada for a week at Christmas, it would be counted as if you never left. Keep up the good work and thank you. Jim Kerr Montreal, QC Ed.: You are correct, sir! However, keep in mind that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer processing your admission to the United States may include short trips back to Canada, which are fewer than 30 days in duration in your six-month allotment. This is a discretionary decision on the part of CBP and we recommend that snowbirds err on the side of caution and include these days. Dear Bird Talk, We live in Calgary, Alberta. We are snowbirding down in this part of Arizona. We are covered by Medipac and we are CSA members. Gas is very reasonable in this northwest area of Arizona. We just topped off our gas tank and thought that we’d send you the receipt. Happy New Year to all of you. Robert and Maria Bulmer Calgary, AB Ed.: A lot of things are cheaper in the states. It’s great that you can take advantage of it. Dear Bird Talk, I have been looking and looking for info on regulations or requirements for a home address in Canada while snowbirding in the U.S. Do we need a physical address? What are the rules around this. I saw one blog post, but it really didn’t answer my questions, so thought that I would reach out. Is this required? What happens if we sold our home, bought an RV to go to Florida, and stayed in it when back in Canada for the summer months. Trevor Dechurer Edmonton, AB Ed.: There is no rule, but your challenges could start at the border if the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent asks you to prove your ties to Canada and that you have a home to return to, rather than creating suspicion that you may stay in the United States indefinitely. You will also need an address to continue enjoying your provincial residency status and for basic items such as your driver’s licence, banking account and credit cards. “Rent” a room from a family member and use that as a home address if you must. 8 | www.snowbirds.org
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