Cross-border Financial Planning Experts

Yes. Living in one country while earning income in another means you are subject to the tax and financial rules of both simultaneously. A cross-border financial plan addresses this directly — managing your tax obligations, keeping you compliant in both countries, and preventing the kind of costly mistakes that happen when people assume the rules from one country automatically apply in the other.

It depends on the account type, where your employer is based, and your residency status. In many cases, moving to Canada means you can no longer contribute to a US 401(k), and moving to the US typically ends your ability to contribute to an RRSP — though existing accounts can often be maintained under treaty provisions. We help you understand exactly what applies to your situation so you don’t inadvertently lose contribution room or trigger unnecessary tax events.

You may be required to file tax returns in both countries, but that does not automatically mean paying tax twice. The Canada-US Tax Treaty exists specifically to reduce or eliminate double taxation through mechanisms like foreign tax credits and treaty exemptions. Whether you owe tax in one or both countries depends on your residency, income sources, and how your accounts are structured — which is exactly what a coordinated cross-border plan is designed to optimize.

Some investments become problematic or non-compliant once you change your country of residence. Certain Canadian mutual funds, for example, are classified as Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs) under US rules and are taxed punitively. Some US-held funds create similar issues in Canada. Before or shortly after a move, your portfolio needs to be reviewed and restructured to match the rules of your new jurisdiction — ideally before the move, not after.

In most cases, yes. If you have worked in both the US and Canada, you may qualify for both US Social Security and the Canada Pension Plan based on your respective contribution histories. Canada’s Old Age Security can also be available to non-residents or those who did not complete a full 40 years of Canadian residency, depending on your situation. We help you understand your eligibility, coordinate your claim timing, and ensure you are not inadvertently reducing one benefit by how you claim the other.

 Cross-border property ownership adds complexity in three areas: ongoing tax reporting requirements in both countries, capital gains treatment when you sell (which differs significantly between US and Canadian rules), and estate planning — since property transfers at death are governed differently in each jurisdiction. We help you understand the implications before you buy, sell, or transfer, not after.

We recommend a full review at least every three years, and any time a major life event occurs — a move, job change, marriage, divorce, retirement, or significant inheritance. Cross-border plans are more sensitive to change than standard financial plans because a shift in residency or income source can alter your entire tax and compliance picture. Staying current is not optional; it is how you avoid penalties.

Yes. We are registered to provide investment advice and financial planning services to clients on both sides of the border. This is not the case with most financial advisors — the majority are licensed in one country only and are legally restricted from advising on the other. Working with a firm that holds proper registration in both countries means your entire financial picture can be addressed in one place, without gaps or handoffs.

We start with a complimentary consultation to understand your situation — where you live, where your income comes from, what accounts you hold, and what you are trying to accomplish. From there, we will let you know which of our service options fits best and what a working relationship with us would look like. There is no obligation and no pressure — just a straightforward conversation about whether we are the right fit for your needs.