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Mootpoint's avatar
Mootpoint
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014

US Tax Form 8840 For Canadian Snowbirds

Form 8840
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service :h


Can any Canadian Snowbirds tell me if they have filled this out?
Is it really necessary?
Any reprisals if not?

I travel in the US for around 170 days each year. Two months of driving around and the rest of the time in one spot.
Any answers appreciated.
  • Filled it out for the last 7 years. Now that Canada shares crossing info with the USA its fairly important. With all the data now, the US just has to run a program to see if you are taxable.
  • It takes ten minutes to download and fill out. Cheap insurance.
  • I fill it out every year. It is a requirement to avoid the possibility of having the IRS claim you owe taxes on your world income which under the laws of the United States, it is their right to do if you meet the non-resident alien classification. They rarely do this unless you have generated income in the US (earn interest, rent your park model out, have capital gains, etc.) but why take the chance. Filling out the form is easy to do.
  • Waste of time. No US income. I have Canadian income tax papers. I know I have a "closer connection" to Canada and can prove it if asked.
  • Gruffy wrote:
    Waste of time. No US income. I have Canadian income tax papers. I know I have a "closer connection" to Canada and can prove it if asked.


    What you say is true BUT!
    If ever the IRS decides to question or investigate, you are in for a lot of legalities, paper work or even expensive legal help.
    Ten minutes a year filling out two pages avoids all this.
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    We spend around 170 days per year in the US and except for a 3 month stint in the winter, we cross frequently; sometime 2-3 times a week. We also have no property in the US nor do we maintain US bank accounts. The border folks indicated to us that the form was not required since we clearly have no fiscal attachment to the US.

    We have yet to ever complete an 8840 form but we might for next year; it's too late for this year with the June deadline.
  • Gruffy wrote:
    Waste of time. No US income. I have Canadian income tax papers. I know I have a "closer connection" to Canada and can prove it if asked.

    Way to go! Don't let the IRS intimidate you! You got your rights! LOL
    Capone didn't take any******either!