canadafloridaThe reference manual

Everything a Canadian needs to know before buying, selling, living, or inheriting in Florida.

A bilingual manual that doesn't read like a blog. Long-form guides, calculators that actually work, Canada ↔ Florida comparisons. Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline is sourced from a verifiable public reference (IRS, Cornell LII, Government of Canada, Florida Statutes).

Read the FIRPTA guide → All available guides

Published guides

The manual, under construction.

The manual grows chapter by chapter. Here is what is published today, and what is coming next. Chapters marked "coming" are being drafted and source-verified.

Sale · Tax

FIRPTA explained: the 15 % withholding on sale

Why the closing agent withholds a percentage of the gross price, how the 0 / 10 / 15 % tiers work, and how to reduce or recover the withholding via Form 8288-B or Form 1040-NR.

Published · ≈ 4,100 words · 18 min

Logistics · Vehicle

Vehicle transport Canada ↔ Florida

Temporary import (snowbird) vs. permanent import. CBP, EPA, DOT, Transport Canada, Florida DHSMV forms. Steps, timelines, costs.

In progress

Purchase · Process

The Florida buying process in 12 steps

From pre-qualification letter to closing: who does what, when, and with which form.

Coming

Snowbird · Tax

Form 8840 — the closer connection statement

How to avoid being treated as a US tax resident by accident, and when to file the Closer Connection Statement.

Coming

Mortgage · Financing

Non-resident mortgage in Florida

US lender criteria for Canadians, typical down payment, observed rates, and Canadian-side alternatives.

Coming

Comparisons · Multi-province

Canada ↔ Florida comparisons by province

Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and others — provincial particularities for tax and legal treatment.

Coming

How the manual is written

The method behind every guide.

Three non-negotiable principles frame editorial production. They exist because the audience makes 6- or 7-figure decisions on the basis of what they read here.

1. Primary sources only

Every figure cited comes from a verifiable official source: IRS.gov, Cornell Law (Code of Federal Regulations), Canada.ca, Florida Statutes, Florida DHSMV, CBP, EPA. Direct links are at the bottom of each guide.

2. Three explicit markers

Every claim is labeled: Verified fact (sourced, dated), Typical range (practical estimate, never published as truth), Opinion (assumed editorial judgment, not a professional advice).

3. Educational information, not professional advice

The manual is a reference document. It is no substitute for a cross-border tax attorney, a Canada–US CPA, a closing agent, or a Florida-licensed broker. Every guide redirects to licensed professionals.

Disclaimer

Educational purpose only. The content of CanadaFlorida.com is drawn from public sources and provides general information. It is not legal advice, tax advice, accounting advice, real estate advice, financial advice, or any individualized professional advice.

No professional relationship is created by reading this site. For any concrete decision, consult a cross-border tax attorney, a CPA / chartered accountant licensed for Canada–US matters, a closing agent, and a real estate broker licensed in the State of Florida.

Time validity. Figures, rates, thresholds, and timelines may change. The last review date is shown at the top of each guide.