Join Us for the Annual Chapter Meeting & Final Seminar!

Professionals advising Canadians who spend extended time in the U.S. face a complex landscape of cross-border tax, legal, and financial considerations. This seminar is designed for financial planners, lawyers, and accountants who support snowbird clients, offering insights into tax and estate planning across jurisdictions. Equip yourself with the knowledge to help clients navigate risks, optimize planning opportunities, and maintain peace of mind while enjoying life abroad.

Preliminary agenda would be:

1. U.S. Residency & Tax Exposure

• Understanding the 183-day rule and the Substantial Presence Test for U.S. tax residency.
• Filing requirements for U.S. tax returns (Form 1040) and implications of being deemed a U.S. tax resident.
• Strategies to avoid U.S. tax residency, including the Closer Connection Exception (Form 8840).
• Navigating double taxation and using the Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty to claim foreign tax credits. 

2. Canadian Tax Considerations

• Maintaining Canadian tax residency and filing obligations.
• Reporting U.S.-sourced income on Canadian returns and claiming foreign tax credits.
• Departure tax implications for those considering permanent relocation.

3. Purchasing, renting out or selling property

• Tax consequences on both sides of the border. 

4. Cross-Border Estate Planning

• U.S. estate tax exposure for Canadians owning U.S. property.
• Coordinating Canadian and U.S. wills to manage cross-border assets.
• Use of trusts, beneficiary designations, and probate avoidance strategies.

5. Practical Planning Tips

• Tracking days in the U.S. accurately.
• Health care coverage.
• Structuring financial accounts and investments for cross-border efficiency.

Annual Chapter Meeting

*Notice is hereby given that the Annual Chapter Meeting (ACM) of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Okanagan Chapter will be held in-person at BDO Kelowna on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 3:00 pm PT for the purpose of:

• Delivery of the Chair’s Report, including:
  • Activities of STEP Canada
  • Highlights for 2025-26
  • Membership Statistics
• Presentation of the 2026-27 Chapter Board Members
• Presentation of the 2025-26 Financial Report
• Delivery of the 2026-27 Budget
• Awarding of the Volunteer of the Year 

*Members participating in the ACM portion must have renewed their annual membership for 2026-27. If you have yet to renew, please log into your My STEP profile on step.ca.

Individual Seminar Pricing: Members $100 | Active Students/Affiliates/Associates $75 | Non-Member $150

IMPORTANT NOTICES:

1. On-demand viewing is available for chapter bundle registrants. For more information on the STEP Okanagan Chapter Bundle, click here. Individual seminar registration provides access to the in-person seminar only.

2. Delegates must sign-in at the registration desk upon arrival to the venue to receive CPD/CE credits.

A big thank you to our dedicated sponsors for their continued support.

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