Latest news with #Snowbirds
CTV News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Thousands brave the heat for Armed Forces Day at North Bay's waterfront
Thousands of people braved the blistering heat at North Bay's waterfront Wednesday to mark Armed Forces Day. Thousands brave the heat for Armed Forces Day at North Bay's waterfront Thousands of people braved the blistering heat at North Bay's waterfront for Armed Forces Day. It was a day full of celebration and recognition for the men and women who have served our country and those who continue to serve to this day. This year marks the centennial anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. As the Snowbirds aerial team zoomed by, there were cheers and thunderous applause from the crowd. 'I got to learn about new things and see this beautiful show,' said École élémentaire catholique Saint-Raymond Grade 6 student Ella Dupuis. In all, 2,800 students from North Bay and area schools dressed in red and blue were waving Canadian flags and air force flags A crowd of more than 3,000 bellowed out two words for all Canadian service men and women: thank you. 'Armed Forces Day means that we should be grateful for the people that sacrificed their lives so we can have safety,' said École élémentaire catholique Saint-Raymond Grade 6 student Sam Carre. Country singer Cory Marks belted out the lyrics to his song 'Snowbirds' as the aerial squadron flew overhead. It's a tribute song he wrote dedicated to the pilots. 'The dream of being a pilot started at a very young age,' Marks told reporters. 'It's a dedication to the team and dedication to all the men and women serving.' kids pose with mascot on armed forces day in north Kids pose with bald eagle mascot as they celebrate Armed Forces Day at North Bay's Shabogesic Beach. June 19, 2024 (Eric Taschner/CTV Northern Ontario) Seeing the crowd brought out the emotions for 94-year-old Korean War veteran Dennis Moore. Moore was part of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry at the age of 18. He recalled hearing Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent's voice on the radio asking for volunteers willing to enlist. 'I think of all my old friends that didn't make it home and the ones that are here now,' Moore told CTV News. 'What I really like is what's behind me. It's all those kids and they know now what it's all about.' In total, there are around 450 personnel stationed at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay, including 100 United States Air Force members responsible for identifying and surveying nearly 200,000 flights that approach Canada each year. 'The chief and I talked about it today and we're cooler than Iron Man or Thor today,' laughed wing commander Col. Richard Jolette. 'People want to talk to us and they want to hear our story.' Mayor Peter Chirico was impressed by the crowd. 'They are our service personnel living away from home,' Chirico said. 'These are coaches and they are volunteers. They do everything in our community. This is the largest Armed Forces Day in Canada, right here in North Bay.' Before the Snowbirds took to the sky, the engines of the CF-18 roared loud for all to hear. The Canadian Forces parachute team, the Skyhawks, were supposed to jump, but high winds prevented that. Members of the team were seen saying hello and talking to some of the children. There was a static display with a jeep, a tank, face painting, a chance to get autographs and a tour of a CH-146 Griffon helicopter. 'When I see a veteran, I'm going to thank them for the safety they have given us,' Dupuis said.
Globe and Mail
08-05-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
Welcome home, snowbirds – but don't forget your U.S. tax filings
My parents just returned from their winter home in Arizona. They've made lots of friends down there. Friends my mother can share her innermost secrets with. It's not that they've become really close – it's just that they're all old enough that they can't remember anything she's said to them. Now that my parents are back, I reminded them of the rules around U.S. tax filings. Many Canadian snowbirds are surprised to find out that spending time down south can make them subject to U.S. taxes on their worldwide income – if they're not careful. Here's a primer on the rules. The test The U.S. levies taxes on its citizens but also on non-citizens if they reside in the U.S. for a certain amount of time. There's a test, called the 'substantial presence test' (SPT), that could cause you to face taxes in the U.S. The SPT adds up three numbers: (1) your days spent in the U.S. in the current year, (2) one-third of the days spent in the U.S. in the preceding year and (3) one-sixth of the days in the U.S. in the year before that. If the total is 183 or more, you'll meet the SPT (although you'll automatically avoid meeting it if you spent less than 31 days in the U.S. in the current year). If you do meet the SPT, the Internal Revenue Service will consider you to be a resident of the U.S. for tax purposes unless you take some additional steps. Being a U.S. resident for tax purposes may require you to file a full-blown U.S. tax return (Form 1040). It's not only painful paperwork; it means splitting your tax dollars between the U.S. and Canada every year (you won't save tax overall, but you'll have to file in both countries). As for the average snowbird? Many will be caught meeting the SPT. If you spend, on average, 122 days (about four months) or more in the U.S. each year, you'll meet the SPT after three years. What should you do if that happens? You may be able to maintain your tax status as a non-resident of the U.S. and avoid having to file a tax return there, but that will require filing a special form. The form Filing U.S. Form 8840, Closer Connection Exception Statement, essentially tells the IRS that, notwithstanding the fact you meet the SPT, you have a closer connection to Canada as your permanent home and should not be considered a resident of the U.S. for tax purposes. To be eligible to file Form 8840, you must have spent fewer than 183 days (about six months) in the U.S. in the current year. If you spend 183 days or more in the U.S. in any year, you may then need to rely on the Canada-U.S. tax treaty's tiebreaker rules to avoid facing taxes in the U.S.– but this gets complicated (you'll need to file U.S. Form 8833 and may need legal help). Form 8840 is due by June 15 each year for the prior calendar year's filing. If you meet the SPT for 2024, the deadline is extended to June 16, since June 15 is a Sunday this year. Some Canadians may be required to file a U.S. non-resident tax return (Form 1040-NR) if they earned certain types of U.S. income (rental income or income for work performed in the U.S., for example). If you have to file Form 1040-NR, then your Form 8840 is due with that tax return (generally by June 15 each year, but this deadline can be extended to Oct. 15). Speak to a tax pro about Form 1040-NR. If you fail to file Form 8840 on time, or if you meet the SPT but don't meet the other conditions to file Form 8840 (see below), you could become subject to U.S. tax on your worldwide income or face a penalty for not filing the appropriate statements with the IRS. The nuances You won't be eligible to file Form 8840 if you spent 183 days or more in the U.S. in a particular tax year – as I mentioned – or if you're a green card holder or have applied for a green card. Also, you've got to count a partial day in the U.S. as a full day. In some limited cases, you can ignore certain days spent in the U.S. – if you're unable to leave the country owing to a medical condition, if you're in the U.S. for less than 24 hours while in transit to another country or in certain other cases for students, teachers, trainees, foreign government officials or commuters. Tim Cestnick, FCPA, FCA, CPA(IL), CFP, TEP, is an author and co-founder and CEO of Our Family Office Inc. He can be reached at tim@
Telegraph
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
‘I'm ditching my Florida retirement plan over Trump's new tourism rules'
Shawky Fahel has been a 'Snowbird' for 15 years, fleeing to Florida to escape the biting cold of the Canadian winters. The balmy weather, good restaurants and verdant golf courses made it an ideal escape for the 75-year-old retired businessman and his wife, Kathie. But now, he is looking to sell his winter home in Venice. A new rule to require Canadians to register - and have their fingerprints taken - if they spend more than 30 days in the country, is an 'attack' on foreign retirees, Mr Fahel claims. Failure to comply with Donald Trump's order, which comes into force on April 11, can lead to fines of up to $5,000 (£3,400) and six months in jail. 'It's more than an insult. It's an attack,' Mr Fahel said. 'I'm not very happy about it. There are 41 million Canadians who are not very happy about it. Canada and the United States have been the two best neighbouring countries with the best relationship between countries for almost a hundred years.' Mr Fahel, despite his fury, will wait 12-months to sell up, as the market for second homes is already overwhelmed, he says. It's not just the new rules that have put him off America, Mr Fahel is also aggrieved by Mr Trump's threats to turn Canada into the 51st state. 'It's very insulting for Donald Trump to be calling my prime minister 'a governor' of Canada, he added. It was Mr Fahel's friend Bob Rosehart who initially tempted him to Florida almost two decades ago. The pair love to play golf together. Dr Rosehart, 82, who is also Canadian, has not yet decided whether to stick with his retirement plans, or head home. The former university president said that although Mr Trump can be 'a bit erratic,' now is a time to remain calm and see how things turn out. 'Right now we're in a shock phase... politicians come and go. I think it's a time for calm,' he said. Canadians in other states are also mulling their options. Laurie Lavine, an estate agent in Arizona – another popular 'Snowbird' refuge – has been deluged by Canadian pensioners wanting to sell up and move on. 'I've currently got 11 listings, and usually I have about two or three, and they turn over, then I get a couple more. But I've never had 11 all at one time. 'My accountant is booked two weeks out now because he's just swamped with Canadian clients. 'So, I'm not the only one that's working with Canadians who are cashing out. Snowbirds 'least of US's immigration problems' The weakness of the Canadian dollar and rising insurance costs had already seen a steady stream of 'Snowbirds' looking to sell up. Following Mr Trump's fall-out with the North American country, it has become a flood. 'I think Canadians have never been more unified than they are right now. Nobody wants to have their prime minister being called governor,' Mr Lavine added. 'Nobody in Canada, wants to be the 51st state.' It is estimated that around one million 'Snowbirds' flock to sunnier climes in the US every year. They make a substantial contribution to the Sunshine States. One estimate says they are worth at least a billion to Florida a year, for example. 'We have a lot of clients that are Snowbirds,' Rosanna Berardi, a lawyer, said. 'When this registration goes into effect, the plan for many of them is to leave early and they don't intend to return next year. That's going to be devastating to the economies of south Florida and Arizona. 'They're individuals that come into the US. many of them own property expensive property they pay taxes they contribute to the economy. 'While I understand the US government wanting to tighten up the border and make America safe, I just feel like they're picking on the wrong team here. 'In my opinion, these are people who we want in the United States who are law-abiding contributing members of society. 'I think this is really such an overstretch and an overreach by the US government because just the statistics don't support the fact that these are the people creating havoc for us in the United States. 'Canadian Snowbirds are the least of the US immigration system's problems.'
Axios
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Things to do this weekend: Kayak tours, tea night and launch parties
The weekend again? Enjoy the cool temps and sunny skies with these events around town. 🚣 Evening guided kayak tour around historic Deering Estate with Latino Outdoor Miami. Spanish language tour Friday, 6:45pm-9pm, Free with RSVP 🪩 Strike Magazine Miami, a student-run magazine, Issue 07 Launch Party. Friday, 9pm-1am, at MIA Bruhaus Tickets $15+ 🖼️ The 21st Annual Pinecrest Gardens Art & Design Fair celebrates art, culture and cuisines. Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm. $5 entry. 🍵 Tea Night at Villa Rose Tea House invites guests to learn about herbal tea blends in an inviting environment. Saturday, 5pm-8pm. Tickets $28+ 🛻 Monster Jam at loanDepot park brings stunts, "high-flying action," and 12,000-pound trucks. Saturday, 7pm; Sunday, 3pm Tickets $40+ 📽️ " Snowbirds" video premiere by tutifruti, a South Florida nonprofit that promotes mental and physical wellness through skating and art. Saturday, 6pm, Dale Zine and Andrew. Free
