U.S. bill proposes letting Canadian snowbirds stay longer

Canadian snowbirds could be getting a gift from the American government.

A bill currently before Congress proposes extending the amount of time Canadian retirees can stay in the U.S. before they have to pay American taxes.

Currently, the limit sits at six months. The new bill, labelled H.R. 979, would raise it to eight months.

The bill is co-sponsored by Congressman Albio Sires, a Democrat out of New Jersey, and Florida Republican Ted Yoho.

Canadian Snowbird Association spokesperson Evan Rachkovsky told 650 CKOM’s Brent Loucks the bi-partisan support likely bodes well for the bill.

“I think that they really recognize the financial, economic contributions that Canadians make,” he said.

If passed, the new timelines would only apply to retired Canadians 55 or older, who have a residence in Canada and can show they have accommodations in the U.S. for the duration of their stay.

Saskatchewan residents can currently live out-of-province without losing their healthcare coverage for seven months.