Australian living in Canada, working for US company

[edwardh80]

I'm an Australian living in Canada under a two-year working holiday permit/visa, and have been offered a role with a US company. They are willing to organise obtaining a US E-3 visa for me. The job will involve quite regular travel to the US. Is it possible to work remotely in Canada under a tourist visa but get paid in US dollars and pay tax in the US? Aussies don't require a visa to enter Canada as tourists as both countries are members of the Commonwealth, and I would be visiting my employer every few weeks, so there is no risk that I will overstay my Canadian visit. Is there any tax implications for Canada if I'm essentially staying as a tourist?

The last thing I want is to be detained trying to re-enter Canada and the border guys getting suspicious that I'm working illegally in Canada. My fiancee and I plan to get married in Canada in August 2013, after which I can apply for a spousal visa to gain PR status. Can someone please advise?

Ed

 

[Leon]

As long as your 2 year visa is valid, you are probably ok but after that.. you aren't actually a tourist if you are living in Canada, even if you are working in the US. "Renewing" your visit visa by crossing over to the US and back is not exactly kosher either. The rule of thumb is that you shouldn't be in Canada as a visitor for more time than you aren't so approximately 6 months a year or so. It can always happen when you cross that the immigration officers will ask you what you are actually doing in Canada and if they find your reasons to be somewhat iffy, they can deny you entry.

It is also possible if you make your home in Canada, even though you are working in the US that you count as tax resident in Canada and should actually be filing taxes on foreign income but that is something to ask a tax advisor maybe.