redleaf | Entries tagged with usa

Cars are an important part of Canadian culture - not to the same extent as American, but the only reason I am able to live in this town and get around without a car is that I was very careful in my apt selection and the public transit is very much above average because it is a college town. I gave up my car for financial and logistic reasons when moving here . . . but I am starting to be hampered by my lack of regular access to wheels.

My american license expires in about a year, but I will clearly not be able to renew it in Maryland due to the lack of residency or even a mailing address. I was planning to change/renew it in Mass when I am there for xmas instead. But I would like to be able to join the car share here so I could have regular access to a car without the extra planning and surcharges renting a car from a place like enterprise would cost. To join the car share, for insurance reasons, I would need to have an Ontario drivers license. To get an Ontario drivers license is paperwork and annoyance, but definitely possible. The real problem is, because of the reciprocal relationship between the US and Canada I can't have a drivers license in both countries. Frankly, this doesn't make sense . . . .it isn't like my US license is particularly useful here for anything more than getting carded at bars and the LCBO. But I honestly don't know where I will be in two years, so I can't commit to either country - does anyone see an easy option here?

How easy is it to switch back to a US license?
If I have a canadian license, what are the restrictions for driving on American roads and borrowing cars from Americans?
Does it get messy if I have an American passport but only a Canadian license (what about crossing the border?)?
Why must everyone I know here drive standard!!!

So, I have completed my Canadian taxes and i've limited myself to boring you with a limited Three Things:

1. Canadian taxes take longer then the US, especially for someone like me with no dependents and such.

2. You can tell there is more of a social safety net in Canada - the shear amount of deductions and credits that I get is so much larger then in the US, i'm sure the taxation is higher once i'm actually making money too :) .

3. There is so much less pressure when you know you won't get penalized for doing it wrong!

3a. Honestly, the taxes (ease, credits, assistance) is a strong pitch for me staying in Canada beyond the degree. They seem really willing to support new people and really want you to be there and be a good member of society.

So today I tackled my US and Maryland income taxes (mostly), as well as IRS
Publication 54 (2011): Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad, Publication 597: Information on the United States—Canada Income Tax Treaty, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY TECHNICAL EXPLANATION OF THE PROTOCOL DONE AT CHELSEA ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 AMENDING THE CONVENTION BETWEEN
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND CANADA WITH RESPECT TO TAXES ON INCOME AND ON CAPITAL DONE AT WASHINGTON ON SEPTEMBER 26, 1980, AS AMENDED BY THE PROTOCOLS DONE ON JUNE 14, 1983, MARCH 28, 1994, MARCH 17, 1995, AND JULY 29, 1997, and finally Instructions for Form W-8ECI, Certificate of Foreign Person’s Claim That Income Is Effectively Connected With the Conduct of a Trade or Business in the United States.

Ok, the last one was a joke. The taxes weren't as hard as you would think - Maryland was by far the hardest because every time it said "non-resident" it meant you were a resident of another state and there were not instructions for if you were not currently living in another state. But yet, there was a special form if you were filing taxes on behalf of someone who had become deceased as a result of a terrorist attack. Oh well, I don't have to worry about MD next year.

What I kept sticking on was that I still have to pay taxes to the US on income I earn in Canada (or any other country) while not a resident of the States. By the rights of the treaty specifically with Canada I don't have to pay Canada if I make under $10,000, so I am not double taxed this year. But next year I most likely will be.

The US is the only country that requires its citizens to pay taxes on foreign earnings made while living abroad. Why is this? We aren't talking people living in the US moving money around over seas in tax havens to avoid paying Uncle Sam, we are talking average people, with normal jobs, that aren't currently using American infrastructure (though they certainly have benefited from it in the past) and probably are not planning to in the near future BECAUSE THEY RESIDE ABROAD. How could you possibly argue that people not living within the boundaries of the country and not employed by a company within the country should be taxed at the same rate (or at all?) as someone within the country? How many of them even vote or visit regularly?

I want to be a good citizen, but sometimes they make it very hard. If I end up living in this country for years I wouldn't have a problem filing a form with the IRS each year to "check in" and so they have an idea of my status, but If I have to pay the same taxes as someone using the interstates every day (etc) maybe I should test the bounds of the treaty and see if if I drop off the face of the earth they track me down . . . it isn't like i'd stop paying taxes where I actually lived.

Canadian taxes to come later this week!

I've spent reading week (aka spring break) in Washington DC visiting people and playing at being a tourist. I have some interesting reflections on Canadians that I will share when not sitting on the same bus as them. In the meantime . . . .

I put an effort into reading a good selection of Canadian, us, and European based news online on a regular basis and i'm sure everyone who does likewise has noticed the increased hostilities with Iran. I had been hoping there wasn't more to it then what I was seeing from outside . . . but I found that not to be the case. the media (at least the print, I didn't absorb many other venues while here) is clearly slowly poisoning the American public to Iran. i wish I had saved some of the articles and comments I encountered.

I'm not surprised, but I am disappointed. It seems clear now we will have some sort of skirmish with Iran before the year is out. You would think I wouldn't care as much as I have decided to try and stay for a while in Canada after graduating, but if anything, it bothers me more. Someone needs to fight this, and I know it isn't my turn yet . . . but what difference can I make if i'm in Canada.

I'm liking being an American more these days, no country will ever be perfect or inoffensive, but I have a good enough grounding in history (thanks public school system!) that I can defend things, and understand why we choose to do what we do. Since I am called upon to explain random events and governance actions I have also been becoming more aware of what I am proud of in this country and how I want to explain what it is to be American. More to come on this I am sure.

I am currently on a bus on I-95 just outside of B'more. We are about to turn NW towards PA and head straight on 'til morning - within twelve hours I will be in Canada again. I have been gone from Canada less then seven days, but I already cannot wait to be back.

Last night, I was able to twist everyone's stereotypes to my advantage (finally!). We were playing Apples to Apples at a house party. I had never noticed that the game was so American centric . . . . but what else is new. Everyone was giving me shit for being American . . . . what else is new. . . and then I drew the Americans card. I waited. Then I looked ahead to see Obnoxious coming up in the green cards, so I started to act extra obnoxious and loud. I also let them know I had an awesome card coming up that I was so going to win with. When the time came, I played it. Just my luck, J played a card with a "this one's for you" to me (side note, his card was Hillary Clinton, so fitting) as he put it down. When the cards were turned I made a deal of being outraged at J when my card was turned - it was totally believable that he could play it he didn't deny it, and everyone of course got caught up in it. As the cards got narrowed down and it got closer to Americans I got quiet like I was pissed and everyone bought it. So Americans was selected - I totally owned them all using my not nice American skills!!!

I probably shouldn't feel so good about manipulating the whole situation, but I really, really do.

So, I may have mentioned this before, but I have been getting some anti-american vibes and words up here - and some questions I have no idea how to even start to answer. So as much as I dislike policy, it was clear I needed to be at least familiar with the major issues so I could tread carefully when needed.

Frankly, I knew free trade sucked, but I had no idea how much Canada (and probably the rest of the world) blames the US because they see us as the free trade pusher. One of the books I got turned out to be a tirade against NAFTA and by extension the bullying nature of the US. There was only one chapter (it was a collection of papers) that really divided the american people from the american politics. Frankly, I don't blame them, we don't speak up nearly enough in the US about our government . . . there are reasons for that I know, but those reasons are certainly not visible from here.

One thing that clearly struck me is the use of fear as a driver. Obviously fear has been driving american policy since 9/11, but fear has been driving canadian policy for far longer then that - they seem to be secretly afraid that we will assimilate them (the most extreme think formally, but most seem to think that it will be in all but name) into the US. This isn't something that had occurred to me at all before I got here . . . which just plays into one of their other fears - that we are the powerful neighbor next door so they need to be aware of us at all times and try to compromise to get our favor . . . . and we don't even notice they exist - they are invisible to use and we don't give a shit.

Honestly, Canada has a lot going for it. They need to stop caring that they are in America's shadow - because frankly pretty much every country is right now . . . but that domination can't last forever. They need to stand up to America a bit more or America will roll all over them and take all their resources.

On that note, for your reading pleasure:

"At Home in the World: Canada's Global Vision for the 21st Century" Walsh
If you read any book that I list here, you should read this one. It gives a good overview of major internal issues and external views of the rest of the world from the canadian perspective. It is a little bit dated though as it was written in the middle of Bush's terms.

"Who are the People of Canada Anyway? Waiting for the Next Referendum" Citizen X
This book mostly focuses on the internal history and issues of Canada primarily related to the Two Solitudes (aka the Quebec issue). It is written as someone discussing the controversy and major issues with their family and friends who hold a variety of perspectives. It reminds me of a book that we read in (elementary?) school about the American revolution that looked at the issues from the perspective of a family divided by the war that ultimately ends up fighting on opposite sides. The narrator pissed me off though as the author made his personality into a rather unlikeable middle aged male. I also still don't think I get the whole issue . . . .why did a minority have such power to paralyze the country? I think my stumbling block might be cultural - the tools I would use to move the issue along don't appear as even possibilities in the book.

"Living with Uncle: Canada-US Relations in an Age of Empire" edited by Campbell and Finn
This is the one that turned into a tirade against NAFTA and by extension the US. It is super technical (beyond my policy tolerance certainly) but the base emotions that these variety of authors feel towards the US, it's government, and it's people, come through quite clear (and the range of emotions is quite broad). Perhaps work skimming, but not reading unless you are a policy wonk.

Now I turn my attention to Geography!

Throughout international orientation we have been encouraged to talk about ourselves and our experiences previous to coming to Canada. While that is all fine and good - i've learned some interesting things about life in other countries and of course it helps to make connections with the other people here - I have been generally hesitant to engage in this practice. I partially want to focus on Canada (new! exciting!) and I also don't want to talk about life in the US because everyone already has stereotypes and Opinions they want to confirm/share with me. But the powers that be (international office) have encouraged this for a very good reason that became clear to me yesterday on our field trip.

Niagara Falls, yes i've been there before, but it was fun anyway. (Pictures and fun stuff commentary below) It is also coincidentally right across the river from the American border. Several of the group expressed interest in popping across the border - and were thankfully discouraged from doing so. As is the nature of the orientation of the site, since I was on the Canadian side, I pretty much spent the day looking at the American side (you have to see it to see the falls). If I had brought my passport I could have easily (compared to most there) gone there. Yes, i've already had moments of longing for my no longer existent life in the US and all that it entails (cheaper cereal for one, ability to text most of the people I know for another!). But yesterday, I watched the little blue line of people in ponchos trudge around near the base of the falls, the mob of color looking from the higher vantage points, the steady line of cars in both directions on the bridge, the clearly American tourists all around me, and the American flags blowing in the breeze across the river . . . . and I didn't care.

This past week of focusing on the life I have left behind to come here as reminded me of all the reasons I chose to do this. I don't want to go back to the US and all that it symbolizes right now (yes, that means you family and friends - sorry!), and now that i'm sure and settled it is becoming easier to see myself here and the path ahead of me (and all THAT symbolizes).

Bring it on Orientation Week 2!

Enough serious stuff, enjoy my touristy pictures:

When was the last time you rode a big yellow school bus? For me - yesterday
bus to Niagara!

You can't see here, but there was a big smiley face over the door and the lights on the inside and smileys on them too - the driver was in a horrible mood the whole time though, so they were negated.

Next it the first view I had of the falls:
falls

Most of our bus rushed off to get on the Maid of the Mist boats, but my group got food at a delicious pizza place (we lucked out!) first then made our way back down to the falls.

American Bridge as mentioned above - I hadn't remembered there being one so close - but I do remember what I drank when I last came to Niagara . . . do any of you remember those drinks called "Orbitz"?
Bridge to America

Then we went "Behind the Falls" Though the cool part was actually next to the falls:

wet

Not sure what is wrong with this - looks upright in my online album - you can just tilt your head for full affect :)

And we got to see the mist boats where our fellow IOers probably were:
boat

Then on the way back to shop we saw a rainbow - coincidentally by Rainbow Bridge ;) :
rainbow

Also check out the (unintentional) green roof below.

After shopping, we dropped in this really pretty pocket park to await the buses home:

park 1

That's it! today and tomorrow are my days off (nothing is open for Labour day here - then Orientation picks up again - this time Graduate/TA/ and my specific Department.

Day 3: Got singled out for being American again - but this time it was by a prof. I have a long ranty post brewing about this phenomena, but it isn't ready yet. We learned something about immigration law in Canada which was really interesting. Did you know they have a quota for immigrants each year that equals about 1% of their current population? They rarely hit the quota, but still - must make the culture very dynamic. I also learned that as long as I submit forms on time I can pretty much stay in this country and work once i'm done with my studies until early 2016. I also learned how to leave Canada but not enter the US without any penalty so that I could re-enter Canada. This isn't very useful for me in this situation, but it is an interesting concept.

Day 4: I skipped the "Be Well" session to take a bike ride. I biked all the way to the Laural Creek Recreation area and found it has tent camping . . . so I foresee biking with my tent and gear to camp there for the night and being back in time for classes in the morning in my future. yay!

They have written the healthcare rules here so that you can't opt out of the government plan unless your plan has equivalent coverage which in simple terms means that it covers everything (no copays) and covers pre existing conditions. This clearly rules out 99.9% of US plans.

I also met the one international student at the orientation from the US (we are 2% of the students in the orientation). I was elated, because frankly everyone spends a lot of time talking with people from the places they are from, and so far i've had no one to talk to. After talking for a few minutes I was reminded of some of the reasons I am in Canada right now and not the US . . . . which I guess is good, but now i'm not so enthused about talking about the US.

But now I am off to "Pizza in the Park" (our dinner event). Did I mention that I love the park?

I'm laying low at my brother's for the weekend, tidying up lose ends and restoring my energy before I hurtle into school prep and apartment settling. This evening, I kid you not, I got the following fortune out of my fortune cookie: "You will travel to exotic places on your next trip."

Waterloo: exotic oasis nestled in the heart of Canada

Current Location: North Carolina

Does this make me look American?

Adventures studying in Canada.

To get behind the wheel . . .

Canadian Taxes Part 2

"We wouldn't mind paying income tax if we could know which country it's going to."

On the road again . . .

American Trump Card

The Canadian / American Relationship

Orientation: Day 6 Niagara Falls

Orientation: Day 3 and 4 (in brief)

Orientation Day 2: mostly about the USA

Eye of the Hurricane

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December 2012

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