International Tax Planning: Taxation of Professional Athletes—Stickhandling Through the Maze

Recent changes in Canadian tax laws have important implications for many professional athletes relocating to Canada from the United States or other countries. At the federal level, proposed changes to the alternative minimum tax, foreign-income reporting requirements, and a broad range of other taxes have introduced complexity and potential traps for the unwary. At the provincial level, the five provinces with a National Hockey League team have raised their top marginal tax rates over the last 10 years. Because the financial stakes can be high, understanding the tax laws and the tax-planning opportunities for professional athletes has become more important than ever. This article addresses some key income tax issues and planning opportunities for professional athletes earning income from the provision of cross-border services in Canada and the United States.