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🇨🇦 → 🌴A Resource for Canadian Buyers & Snowbirds

Moving from Canada to South Florida

A move across the border involves two tax systems, two currencies, and two sets of legal rules. This guide is meant to help you understand the topics involved — what questions to ask, and which professionals to ask them of — before you make any decisions.

Educational information only — not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Please consult qualified cross-border professionals for your specific situation.

Read the Complete Relocation Guide

0%

Florida State Income Tax

~182

Common Snowbird Day Limit*

24°C

Avg January High

2

Tax Systems Involved in a Move

*Actual allowable time in the US depends on immigration status and the IRS substantial presence test — verify your situation with a professional.

Life in South Florida

What Draws Canadians to South Florida

An honest look at the practical factors Canadians weigh when considering the move — climate, cost, travel logistics, and lifestyle.

Climate

South Florida averages around 24°C in January, with roughly 240 sunny days per year. Many Canadians split their time seasonally; others relocate full-time.

Florida's Tax Structure

Florida has no state income tax and no state-level estate tax. How that interacts with your Canadian tax situation depends entirely on your residency status — a question for a cross-border accountant.

Travel Connections

FLL and MIA offer daily nonstop flights to Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary, which is a practical consideration for anyone maintaining ties in both countries.

Waterfront Living

The region includes Intracoastal communities, oceanfront condos, and canal-front homes with dock access. Insurance and flood-zone considerations vary significantly by location.

Outdoor Lifestyle

Golf, boating, beaches, and year-round outdoor recreation are central to daily life here — one of the most common reasons Canadians cite for the move.

Schools & Family Life

Broward and Palm Beach counties include a range of highly rated school zones, including Weston, Parkland, and Palm Beach Gardens. School zoning is worth researching early.

Cross-Border Topics

Topics to Research Before Buying

These are the cross-border subjects that come up most often for Canadian buyers. Each summary below is an introduction — not advice — intended to help you have a more informed conversation with your own accountant and attorney.

Disclaimer

Jacob Edri and the Move to South Florida team are licensed real estate professionals — we are not attorneys, accountants, or immigration advisors. The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, financial, or immigration advice. Cross-border rules change frequently and depend heavily on your individual circumstances. Before making any decisions, please consult a qualified cross-border accountant (CPA), tax attorney, and/or immigration attorney.

FIRPTA Withholding

When a non-resident sells US real estate, a portion of the gross sale price (typically 15%) is withheld for the IRS. It's a withholding — not a final tax — and is reconciled through a US tax return. Worth understanding before you buy, not just before you sell.

Homestead Exemption

Florida's homestead exemption reduces assessed value and caps annual increases, but it applies only to a primary Florida residence. Seasonal residents generally do not qualify, and claiming it improperly carries penalties.

Form 8840 — Closer Connection

Canadians who spend substantial time in the US each year may need to file IRS Form 8840 to document a 'closer connection' to Canada. Day-counting rules (the substantial presence test) are more nuanced than the commonly cited 182 days.

Canadian Departure Tax

Ceasing Canadian tax residency can trigger a deemed disposition of certain assets. This is one of the most consequential parts of a permanent move, and timing matters — professional advice before the move is essential.

US Estate Tax Exposure

US estate tax rules can apply to non-residents who own US property. Some buyers hold property through structures like trusts or corporations; whether that makes sense for you is a legal and accounting question.

Currency & Fund Transfers

Exchange rates meaningfully affect a purchase budget, and large cross-border transfers have reporting requirements. Many buyers compare bank rates against currency-exchange services before wiring funds.

The Canadian Buyer's Resource Center

Guides for Each Part of the Decision

Each guide below covers one piece of the cross-border picture in more depth, so you can research at your own pace.

Browse Current Listings

Questions About the Area?

Happy to Help With the Real Estate Side

For questions about neighborhoods, the local market, or the home-buying process itself, Jacob is glad to be a resource — and can point you toward cross-border professionals for the legal and tax questions that are outside a realtor's lane.

Disclaimer

Jacob Edri and the Move to South Florida team are licensed real estate professionals — we are not attorneys, accountants, or immigration advisors. The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, financial, or immigration advice. Cross-border rules change frequently and depend heavily on your individual circumstances. Before making any decisions, please consult a qualified cross-border accountant (CPA), tax attorney, and/or immigration attorney.

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