Cross-border tax filing and accounting servicesCross-border tax filing and accounting
Many clients’ taxes involve more than one country: how to file in the first year after getting a green card, whether accounts and real estate in China or Canada must be reported, whether there is a departure tax when leaving Canada, how to keep the books of a company opened in the United States. We look at tax filing and immigration status together, to avoid inconsistencies between the status, income and filing history shown on tax returns and what appears in immigration applications over time.
Services
| Service | Includes | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. individual tax returns | Form 1040, 1040-NR; dual-status years (the year you get a green card or leave the United States); married filing jointly or separately; state tax returns | New immigrants, green card holders, H-1B, F-1/OPT, residents abroad with U.S. income |
| Foreign asset reporting | FBAR (FinCEN 114), Form 8938, 3520 (foreign gifts and inheritances), 5471, 8621 (PFIC); preparation of late filings after missed reporting | People with accounts, investment products, rental income or company equity in China, Canada or other countries |
| Canadian tax returns | Individual returns (T1), corporate returns (T2), returns for the year of moving to or leaving Canada, including the deemed disposition on departure (departure tax); GST/HST | People with income, real estate or a company in Canada, or who move between the U.S. and Canada |
| Business bookkeeping and financial statements | Full-cycle bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, payroll and withholding, U.S. business tax returns, preparation of financial statements | Investors who open companies in the United States (including E-2, L-1 and EB-5 clients), small businesses |
Our tax team
David Wang
Managing Attorney
Versed in U.S. tax and immigration law. Handles legal questions where immigration and tax meet, gives tax-related legal advice and oversees the team’s cross-border tax work.
Helen Hu
Tax Accountant · Chicago office
Trained in accounting in the United States and Canada, with a focus on tax compliance and planning. Prepares individual and business returns, cross-border filings, bookkeeping and financial statements for international clients. MS in Accountancy (Tax Compliance & Planning), Walsh College.
Linda Xiao
U.S. Certified Public Accountant (Washington) · Toronto
Focuses on business financial reporting, U.S. individual and business tax planning, and cross-border tax compliance, providing practical tax solutions for high-net-worth individuals, businesses and cross-border investors with an emphasis on compliance and risk management. Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, York University; Ph.D. in Polymer Materials and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology.
Why tax filing should be considered together with immigration
- Naturalization: Form N-400 asks whether you owe taxes, and whether you have ever filed as a nonresident or failed to file; filing as a nonresident may give rise to a presumption that you have abandoned permanent resident status. See The role of tax records in immigration filings.
- Affidavit of support: Form I-864 requires tax records, and the income must match the tax returns.
- Investment immigration and E-2: The source of funds, company books and tax returns are key points of review, so a company’s books should be kept properly from the time it is formed. See Company formation for E-2.
- Years when status changes: In the year you get a green card, leave the country for a long period or give up a green card, your tax residency may change. See Tax residency and Tax consequences of giving up a green card.
Main filing deadlines
| Filing | General deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. individual income tax (1040) | April 15 | You can request an extension to file the return until October 15, but any tax owed must still be paid by April 15; if you live outside the United States, there is an automatic two-month extension |
| FBAR | April 15 | Automatic extension to October 15; no request needed |
| Canadian individual income tax (T1) | April 30 | For self-employed individuals the return is due June 15, but any tax owed must still be paid by April 30 |
| Canadian corporate income tax (T2) | Within 6 months after the end of the fiscal year | The tax payment deadline is usually earlier; follow the rules of the Canada Revenue Agency |
Deadlines that fall on a weekend or holiday may be extended; rely on what the IRS, FinCEN and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) publish for the year in question.
How to get started
- Book: On the booking page, choose “Tax filing and accounting” and briefly describe which year and which country you need to file for, and what income and assets you have.
- Quote: We quote based on the types of filings and their complexity, and the quote is written into the engagement agreement. For how we charge, see our fee policy.
- Gather documents: Identity documents and your visa or green card, prior years’ tax returns, income records (W-2, 1099, T4, T5, etc.), a list of foreign accounts and assets, and company books.
- Review and sign: Once the returns are complete, we go through them with you item by item; after you confirm they are correct, you sign and they are filed, and you keep copies for future immigration applications.
Frequently asked questions
How do tax filing services differ from attorney services?
Tax filing and accounting are law-related services but are not legal services, and some of the protections of the attorney–client relationship (such as the attorney–client privilege) may not apply. The engagement agreement states the nature of the services. Questions involving immigration consequences, tax disputes or the need for a legal opinion are assessed separately by attorney David Wang.
Can you help if I am not in the United States?
Yes. Documents can be submitted electronically, and we communicate by phone or video.
I did not file FBARs for several past years. What should I do now?
There are legitimate channels for late filing, with different eligibility conditions, in particular whether the failure was non-willful. We recommend an assessment before filing late, and it is especially important to deal with this before naturalization or other immigration applications. See FBAR and foreign asset reporting.
Do you provide Chinese tax services?
No. Our firm does not advise on Chinese tax law; for filings in China, please consult a tax professional in China.
Related reading
- Cross-border tax & immigration
- FBAR and foreign asset reporting
- Immigration status and U.S. tax residency
- EIN, bank accounts and tax registration
Need to file taxes or organize your books? Book tax filing and accounting services › Call (312) 519-1115, or reach the attorney on WeChat at WangLawpllc.
This page is a general introduction and is not legal or tax advice. Tax filing and accounting services are not legal services; the specific scope is governed by the engagement agreement. Tax rules, filing deadlines and thresholds may change each year; rely on what the IRS, FinCEN and the Canada Revenue Agency officially publish. Our firm does not advise on Chinese tax law.