For many Canadians, moving home from the United States feels like it should be straightforward. Home is familiar. The decision feels clear. But the return often sets far more in motion than people expect.
This book was written for Canadians who are coming back after years of living or working in the U.S. and need a clearer understanding of what the move home can affect … from tax exposure and residency issues to healthcare access, investment decisions, real estate, banking, and estate planning.
Rather than trying to piece these issues together from scattered sources, this guide brings them into one place for you with practical explanations, real-world scenarios, and insights shaped by years of cross-border experience.
Inside the Book
Coming home to Canada can feel familiar. The cross-border rules are anything but.
- Covered expatriate vs. non-covered expatriate
- Hidden tax traps when moving back to Canada
- How to move money, retirement assets, and investments across the border
- Americans moving to Canada
- Selling U.S. property and buying in Canada
- What happens to U.S. brokerage accounts, IRAs, 401(k)s, and Roth IRAs
- Healthcare gaps and provincial plan waiting periods
- Immigration realities for returning Canadians and U.S. families moving north
- Banking, credit, and rebuilding financial life in Canada
- Cross-border estate planning issue
Who This Book Is For
This book is a trusted resource for:
- Canadians returning home after years abroad
- Snowbirds considering a permanent move back to Canada
- Americans relocating to Canada for the first time
It is especially helpful for people who want practical guidance before making major cross-border decisions or who want to avoid learning expensive lessons after the move is already in motion.
Gerald A. Scott is a licensed portfolio manager in both Canada and the United States who has spent decades helping people navigate the financial, tax, and residency complexities of life across borders. His work has focused heavily on the cross-border world, especially for Canadians spending part of the year in the U.S.
He is also the founder of the Snowbirds U.S. Day Tracker™, Canada Physical Presence Tracker™, and the Snowbirds Expat Radio Podcast — toolsand resources designed to educate, inform, and simplify life for snowbirds and expatriates.
Raymond James is not affiliated with the Snowbirds US Day Tracker app.