Cross-Border Financial Planning
Cross-Border Financial Planning
Living between Canada and the U.S., or maintaining financial ties across the border, comes with complexities that standard financial planning or traditional wealth management services can’t solve. Conflicting tax systems, reporting requirements, and account structures that don’t always translate between jurisdictions can lead to costly surprises if not handled properly.
At Clarity Cross Border Planning, we simplify the complex. We help you stay compliant, understand the tax implications of your decisions, reduce tax exposure, and make confident financial decisions that work on both sides of the border. Our role is to bring clarity to your financial affairs so your cross border lifestyle is supported by a thoughtful, coordinated plan.
Who We Work With
- Americans Living in Canada
- Canadians Living in the U.S.
- Individuals with Investments or Real Estate in Both Countries
- Why Cross-Border Planning Matters
Many of our clients are already working with banks, portfolio management partners, or cross border wealth management firms. We do not provide discretionary wealth management services; instead, we act as a fee-only planning partner to help you coordinate those relationships and understand the cross border tax and financial planning implications of the choices you make.
Our clients include both self-managed investors and those already working with banks, portfolio managers, or cross-border wealth management firms—many of whom are seeking a more modern, objective approach to financial advice.
As an advice-only firm, we don’t manage investments or charge percentage-based fees. Instead, we provide unbiased guidance as a fee-only planning partner, helping you coordinate existing relationships while understanding the cross-border tax and financial planning implications of your decisions.
Why Cross-Border Planning Matters
When your life spans two countries, financial planning becomes far more complicated. Without the right strategy, it’s easy to fall into tax traps, miss compliance requirements, or make costly decisions with retirement accounts and investments.
Some of the most common challenges we address include:
- Understanding tax residency rules and filing requirements with the IRS and CRA
- Avoiding double taxation and penalties on foreign accounts
- Managing RRSPs, IRAs, 401(k)s, TFSAs, and RESPs across borders
- Navigating PFIC rules for Canadian mutual funds and ETFs
- Coordinating CPP, OAS, and U.S. Social Security benefits
- Structuring estate plans, trusts, and inheritances for compliance in both countries
- Developing currency strategies to protect against exchange rate fluctuations
Cross border financial planning is ultimately about tax efficiency, risk management, and long-term clarity. Investing involves risk, and cross border tax rules can amplify that risk if they are not understood and planned for in advance.
Our Cross-Border Planning Approach
We bring clarity to even the most complex financial situations. Our services include:
- A full review of tax obligations, cross border tax issues, and reporting requirements
- Strategies to restructure retirement and investment accounts for efficiency and better tax implications
- Estate and gift planning that works in both jurisdictions, including coordination with legal professionals for cross border estate planning
- Guidance on insurance, healthcare, and cross-border asset ownership
- High-level risk management considerations tied to your investments, cash flow, and cross border lifestyle
Why Choose Clarity Cross Border Planning?
Clarity Cross Border Planning is led by Brandon Davies, one of the few financial planners certified in both Canada and the U.S. With dual CFP® designations and expertise in tax, retirement, investments, insurance, and estate planning, we provide the specialized knowledge needed for cross-border clients who might otherwise struggle to find experienced cross border financial advisors.
We operate as a fee-only, advice-only firm, meaning no sales pitches or hidden fees, just clear, unbiased advice tailored to your situation.
Ready to Simplify Your Cross-Border Finances?
No matter which side of the border you call home, we’ll help you create a plan that works everywhere your life takes you.