Tax information session for US/Canadian dual citizens - hosted by Megan Leslie

Megan will be hosting an information session for constituents who were born in the United States and are now Canadian citizens who will be impacted when the US Foreign Account Compliance Act (FATCA) comes into effect in 2013.

Many of our constituents are long-standing Canadian citizens and residents, some of whom are American by accident of birth. It is unfortunate that they will be taxed on Canadian saving vehicles such as TFSAs, RRSPs and RRIFs by the American government.

Those who live, work and pay taxes in Canada should not be subject to the same rules as US citizens seeking tax havens in foreign countries, and Canadians, regardless of birth, need assurance from the government that their citizenship and residency is valued and their privacy protected. 

A group of three panelists have graciously offered to lend their expertise and time for this session. Immigration lawyer Blair Hodgman will present on the topic of citizenship and who is a US citizen. Tax consultant Matthew Smith, will present on US tax compliance and filing requirements. The panel will be moderated by Chartered Accountant John Oakey and will include an opportunity for questions and answers.   

Panelist Bio’s:

Blair Hodgman, partner at Allen & Hodgman: Blair graduated from Tufts University and Boston University Law School and is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Ohio and Nova Scotia. Blair immigrated to Canada in 1998. Her practice is devoted to US and Canadian citizenship and immigration law with offices in Nova Scotia and Cleveland, Ohio. She is the former chair of the Nova Scotia Citizenship and Immigration Section of the Canadian Bar Association and a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Matthew W. Smith EA, Senior Manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP: Matthew is a Senior Manager in the Global Employer Services (GES) group. He is the GES Canadian Market Place Leader and Leader of Atlantic GES. He has over 20 years experience in dealing with personal tax and planning for individuals both domestically and internationally. He has spent a number of years with financial planning firms which give him a unique insight into issues facing expatriates and a mobile work force. Matt also has extensive public accounting experience and has been involved in all aspects of compliance and planning for individuals and assisting companies to understand the issues facing their international work forces. The services he provides to his clients include:

- Individual tax compliance and consulting (Canadian and US competency)

- Financial planning

- Compensation planning and design

- Development and implementation of tax equalization programs 

John Oakey – Moderator: John qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2001 with a National firm in Kentville, Nova Scotia after completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University in 1997.  He joined Collins Barrow’s tax group in 2001.  Since then he has completed all three Canadian Institute Chartered Accountants in-depth tax courses; as well as, the CICA Advanced Tax Issues for the Owner-Managed business.  He became Tax Partner in 2008 and is now currently managing Collins Barrow’s tax group. He has widespread knowledge and expertise in the area of corporate and personal income taxes specializing in the area of corporate reorganizations, estate planning, succession planning and tax compliance.  He also has experience dealing with international taxation and Harmonized Sales Tax.

For more information please call Megan's assistant Myta Blacklaws at (902) 426-8692 or drop by our office at #1 - 2207 Gottingen Street in Halifax. Please tell anyone who may be interested in this information about this session. I hope to see you at this event!