Not exactly sure about the points you are trying to make (not a crystal clear post), but there is tax treaty between Canada and United States. One of the basic principles is eliminating a double taxation situation e.g. paying taxes to two countries for the same income. So he may have to file a Canadian tax return, but would get a credit for the U.S. taxes that are paid on his Canadian tax return (hence avoiding the double taxation).
There is another process that would apply here, namely the Determination of Residency Status. So, based on this process, if the individual is deemed not to be a resident of Canada, then the individual would not have to submit a Canadian tax return. If the person works in the U.S., pays taxes in the U.S., resides in a property in the U.S. that is owned by that individual, then typically that person would be deemed to be a non-resident.
And yes, getting paid in U.S. dollars and converting those U.S. dollars to Canadian dollars (given the difference in exchange rates) would be a nice boost in revenue.
First, good points Keon. I know there was an article a while back talking about tavares' contract, how he would save millions by continuing to have his primary residence listed in the US.
However, and like many here I am no tax expert, if I'm not mistaken players have to pay a portion of tax based on the city/state/province they are working in I believe? I have read that somewhere... because they are actually working in any given state, they pay state taxes for that day somehow some way. That would be 41 home dates in canada (as well as any other canadian province and their tax rate). I may be way off there but the calculation is complicated.
Tax rates are considerable yes, and the exchange rate plays a factor. But also consider the Leafs can front load and offer a boatload up front, or over the first few years. marner wouldn't get, say, 20 million during the first calendar year of a contract there like he can here. Any good accountant could crunch that, and invest in the first years, and with luck get anywhere from 5-10% (maybe more?) return in real money over the first few years... that could be considerable.
Don't get me started on Marner vs tavares, any more than Marner vs Matthews. I take the stud center 10 times out of 10. Tavares has earned it and I never saw the guy take a shift off. Pure pro and very very good, and has been for his whole career. Proven stud. Matthews is, well, borderline generational if he stays healthy. Don't get me wrong, marner is very very good too, but really it's not even close.