Surrey, British Columbia
US Tax Accountant in Surrey, BC
Gurleen Kaur, CPA licensed in British Columbia and Washington State, prepares US tax returns and foreign-account reporting for US citizens and green card holders living in Surrey and across Metro Vancouver. Meet at our Surrey office or by video.
US returns and FBAR
Office in Surrey, BCCPA licensed in BC and Washington StateFormerly at Deloitte and Grant ThorntonQuick answer
Do Americans living in BC still have to file US taxes?
Yes. According to IRS Publication 54, a US citizen or resident alien's worldwide income is generally subject to US income tax regardless of where they live, and the same filing requirements apply. Most Americans in Surrey file a Canadian return and a US Form 1040 every year. Canadian accounts that together exceed US$10,000 at any time in the year also require an FBAR. Treaty provisions and foreign tax credits can reduce double tax, but they do not remove the obligation to file.
Who we help in Surrey and Metro Vancouver
US citizens living in BC
Born in the US, or born in Canada to a US-citizen parent. Annual Form 1040, FBAR and Form 8938, coordinated with your Canadian return and preparer.
Green card holders who moved to BC
A green card generally keeps you a US resident for tax purposes until the status is formally ended, as explained in Publication 519. We review the filing position and, if you are giving up status, Form 8854.
Americans with TFSAs, RESPs and Canadian funds
Canadian mutual funds and ETFs can trigger PFIC reporting on Form 8621. See our TFSA and PFIC guide.
Americans behind on US filings
Missed returns or FBARs? Compare the IRS paths in our Streamlined filing guide before filing anything.
US persons who own a BC company
Owner-managers of a Canadian corporation may need Form 5471 each year, alongside the corporation's Canadian filings.
Selling a home or moving
Selling a Surrey home, renting it out, or leaving US status each has its own US reporting. See the home-sale notes below.
US filings that commonly apply when you live in BC
Thresholds and rules below come directly from the IRS pages linked in each row. Whether each one applies depends on your accounts, family and income.
| Filing | When it commonly applies | IRS source |
|---|---|---|
| Form 1040 | US citizens and resident aliens report worldwide income. If you live outside the US and your main place of business is outside the US on the due date, you get an automatic 2-month extension to file; interest still runs from April 15. | Publication 54 |
| FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) | Canadian bank, investment, RRSP and TFSA accounts together exceeded US$10,000 at any time in the year. Due April 15, automatically extended to October 15. | IRS FBAR page |
| Form 8938 | For taxpayers living outside the US: unmarried, foreign financial assets over US$200,000 at year end or US$300,000 at any time; married filing jointly, US$400,000 or US$600,000. | 8938 vs FBAR |
| Form 8621 | Canadian mutual funds and ETFs held directly or inside a TFSA or RESP are commonly treated as PFICs. | Form 8621 instructions |
| RRSP and RRIF | Eligible taxpayers receive the treaty deferral automatically under Rev. Proc. 2014-55; Form 8891 is no longer filed. FBAR and Form 8938 still apply. | IRS announcement |
| Form 5471 | Certain US shareholders, officers and directors of a Canadian corporation, including many owner-managed BC companies. | Form 5471 instructions |
| Form 3520 | Certain gifts or inheritances received from a non-US person, and transactions with foreign trusts. | Form 3520 instructions |
Selling your home in Surrey
Publication 523 allows an exclusion of up to US$250,000 of gain on the sale of a main home, or US$500,000 for a married couple filing jointly, if the eligibility test is met. A Canadian principal residence exemption does not carry over to the US return.
The US gain is figured in US dollars, so exchange-rate movement between purchase and sale can change the result. Review the numbers before listing, not after closing.
Behind on US filings?
Under the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures, a non-willful taxpayer who meets the non-residency test and follows the instructions is not subject to failure-to-file, accuracy-related, information return or FBAR penalties. Many Americans who live in BC year-round may meet that test. The domestic track carries a 5 percent miscellaneous offshore penalty.
The IRS removed its separate delinquent FBAR procedure in mid-2026. Read our catch-up guide and get the facts reviewed before choosing a path.
Why a Surrey-based US CPA
- Licensed on both sides. Gurleen Kaur is a CPA licensed in British Columbia and Washington State. Verify in the CPABC directory or the Washington Board of Accountancy. About Gurleen.
- Local and in person. Meet at our Surrey office by appointment, or by video anywhere in BC.
- Big-firm training. Formerly at Deloitte and Grant Thornton.
- Both returns line up. The US return is coordinated with your Canadian return so income, credits and account balances match.
- Clear scope. A written scope and fee before any work begins.
How it works
- Free 15-minute fit call. We confirm what you likely need to file and whether we can help.
- Records list and written scope. You get a checklist and a fixed scope and fee.
- Preparation and review. Returns and information forms are prepared and reviewed with you.
- Filing and next year's calendar. We file, then send the dates that apply to you next year.
Documents to gather
- Prior US and Canadian returns
- T4, T5, T3 and other Canadian slips
- Year-end and highest balances for every Canadian account, including RRSP, TFSA and RESP
- Investment statements showing fund names and transactions
- Corporation financial statements if you own a BC company
- Home purchase and sale documents if you sold property
Areas we serve
Surrey (Fleetwood, Guildford, Newton, Cloverdale, South Surrey), White Rock, Delta, Langley, Abbotsford, Burnaby, Richmond and Vancouver. Video meetings for clients anywhere in BC.
Illuminous Accounting15518 103A Ave #10
Surrey, BC V3R 1N7
+1-778-325-0564 · [email protected]
View on Google Maps · Meetings by appointment
Questions from Americans in Surrey
Do I still have to file US taxes if I live in Surrey or elsewhere in BC?
Yes. The IRS states that a US citizen or resident alien's worldwide income is generally subject to US income tax regardless of where they live, and the same filing requirements apply. Most Americans in BC file a Canadian return and a US Form 1040 each year, plus foreign-account reports when thresholds are met. Treaty provisions and foreign tax credits can reduce double tax, but they do not remove the filing obligation.
When is my US return due if I live in Canada?
The regular due date is April 15. A US citizen or resident alien living outside the United States, whose main place of business is also outside the United States on the regular due date, gets an automatic 2-month extension to file and pay. Interest on unpaid tax still runs from the regular due date. The FBAR is due April 15 with an automatic extension to October 15.
Do I report my RRSP and TFSA to the IRS?
Usually, yes, in different ways. Since Rev. Proc. 2014-55, eligible taxpayers receive the Canada-US treaty deferral on RRSP and RRIF income without filing the old Form 8891, but the accounts still count for the FBAR and Form 8938. TFSA income is generally not tax-free on the US return, and investments held inside it can raise PFIC reporting. Our TFSA and PFIC guide explains the details.
I have not filed US returns for years. What can I do?
The IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures are designed for non-willful taxpayers. Under the foreign track, taxpayers who meet the non-residency test and follow the instructions are not subject to failure-to-file, accuracy-related, information return or FBAR penalties. The domestic track carries a 5 percent miscellaneous offshore penalty. The IRS removed its separate delinquent FBAR procedure in mid-2026, so the facts should be reviewed before choosing a path.
Can I meet with you in person in Surrey?
Yes. Meetings are available by appointment at our Surrey office, or by video call from anywhere in BC. The first 15-minute fit call is free.
How much does a US return cost for an American living in BC?
The fee depends on the number of accounts and investments, which information forms apply, whether prior years are missing and whether a Canadian corporation or rental property is involved. You receive a written scope and fee before work begins. Substantive advice starts under a paid diagnostic or signed engagement.
IRS sources
Every threshold and rule on this page links to the IRS. Rules change; we re-check these sources before each filing season.
- IRS Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad
- IRS: Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)
- IRS: Comparison of Form 8938 and FBAR requirements
- IRS: Instructions for Form 8621 (PFIC)
- IRS: Instructions for Form 5471
- IRS: Simplified procedures for Canadian retirement plans (Rev. Proc. 2014-55)
- IRS: Instructions for Form 3520
- IRS Publication 523, Selling Your Home
- IRS: Streamlined procedures for US taxpayers residing outside the United States
- IRS: Streamlined procedures for US taxpayers residing in the United States
- IRS: Instructions for Form 8854 (expatriation)
- IRS Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens
- IRS: United States income tax treaties A to Z
Gurleen Kaur, CPA licensed in British Columbia and Washington State. Last updated October 21, 2026. This page is general information, not tax advice for your situation.
Related guides: FBAR and FATCA, TFSA and PFIC, Streamlined filing, RRSP, RRIF and pensions, Americans abroad, Form 5471.
Talk to a US tax accountant in Surrey
Tell us your situation in a few lines. The first 15-minute fit call is free. We confirm whether we can help, what records matter and the next step. Substantive advice begins under a paid diagnostic or signed engagement.