U.S. reporting rules for RRSPs and
RRIFs
If you own a Canadian RRSP or RRIF, under U.S.
domestic law, you are required to include income
and gains earned inside your RRSP or RRIF in your
taxable income for U.S. tax purposes on a current
year basis, rather than when this income is
withdrawn (which is the case for Canadian tax
purposes). Due to this timing mismatch, double
taxation can result. However, there is relief under
the Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty, which allows a U.S.
person to elect to defer recognition of the income
and gains in their U.S. taxable income until such
time as the income is withdrawn from their RRSP
or RRIF.
Filing deadlines
Normally you must file your U.S. return for a
particular year no later than April 15th of the year
following the year in issue. However, there is an
automatic extension to June 15th if you are
resident outside the U.S. on April 15th. For
example, if you are a U.S. person and are resident
in Canada on April 15, 2010, you must file your
2009 U.S. tax return by June 15, 2010.