As retirement draws closer for us, we want to become full timers. If we spend winters in the southern U.S., will we be able to workamp for our sites? Texas, New Mexico and Arizona would be our choices to winter in.

-- Edited by pmwade on Tuesday 31st of March 2009 06:35:31 PM

I'm pretty sure what you are proposing is illegal. Compensation for labor (either monetary or in trade) is against IRS guidelines. As a Canadian I worked in the USA for a year on a temporary L-1 visa but it was an EXTREME hassle to get the visa. You could attempt to do it under the table, but if caught you would be barred from entering the USA again. I'd love to workcamp in the USA but won't chance it.

I agree, we're from Ontario, fulltiming for 5 years, I wouldn't chance it either. If your home province were to find out you could lose benefits as well.

Yeah, that would be illegal in both countries! But, what if you were self-employed and filed all the necessary tax returns? We are planning on financing our full-time RV future with our current and future online business income. As Canadians, we won't be taking any jobs from Americans, and we'll be filing as required. Will this work?

ALso... five years! Would love to hear more about your decision and experiences. Do you have a blog or website?

If it's an online business, I don't think that's a problem. It's if you're physically working in the U.S. either for pay or for a free campsite. Good luck!

Yes, I have a blog but I think you already found it.

http://srmerrikinblog.blogspot.com

Sandra

That is sad....Where did the right to persue happiness go...If the government thinks they arn't getting their share of your hard earned money then they make it against the law. Well I guess you better follow the rules so the government will continue to "Take Care Of You"..... speedy

Something is not making sense here since I have encountered Canadians workcamping at both private and state campgrounds through the years. While talking to a camp host at a Canadian National Park we were told one camp host couple was American who came up for a month every summer, so it goes both ways. I suspect you just have to get a work visa and submit all the required tax returns for all jurisdictions. When I was working we had both Canadian and Mexican citizens working on NAFTA work visas, which they said were easy to get and did not count against H1B's.

I met a Canadian working in TX (not for money) this winter but he was doing it 'under the table' and I expect that's how most people do it. There are people doing it, just don't get caught unless like Bill says you have the proper paperwork.