Will You Travel to Watch Your Favorite Team Play?
Keep Track of Your Entries and Exits from the U.S.
Thousands of people will travel between Mexico, Canada, and the United States during the major international tournament taking place across North America. For many, it will be a unique opportunity to follow their national team, visit multiple cities, and combine the trip with tourism or business activities.
However, while most people are focused on tickets, hotels, and transportation, there is one issue that few travelers consider: the number of days spent in the United States may have important tax implications.
If you frequently travel to the U.S. for vacations, business, investments, or sporting events, now is a good time to review how many days you have accumulated in the country.
Your Days in the United States Matter to the IRS
For many people, attending this major international event will mean spending several weeks in the United States, visiting different cities, or making multiple entries and exits throughout the year. What appears to be purely a tourist trip may become relevant from a tax perspective when combined with travel from previous years.
The IRS uses what is known as the Substantial Presence Test to determine whether an individual may be considered a U.S. tax resident. To meet this test, you generally must be physically present in the United States for at least 31 days during the current year and reach a total of 183 days using a special calculation formula.
The formula includes:
All days present in the U.S. during the current year.
One-third of the days present during the previous year.
One-sixth of the days present two years prior.
For example, if you spent:
120 days in 2026
120 days in 2025
120 days in 2024
The calculation would be:
120 + 40 + 20 = 180 days
In this case, you would still not meet the test. However, just a few additional days during the tournament could be enough to exceed the 183-day threshold.
That is why, if you frequently travel between Mexico, Canada, and the United States, it is advisable to monitor your accumulated days before planning extended stays. In many cases, just a few extra weeks can make the difference between being considered a nonresident or a tax resident for IRS purposes.
Our tax experts can help you perform this calculation and stay compliant with your tax obligations.
Keeping Records Can Prevent Many Problems
One of the most common mistakes among frequent travelers is assuming they will easily remember how many days they spent in the United States.
The reality is that after multiple entries and exits, it becomes difficult to accurately reconstruct your travel history. This is especially true for individuals who regularly cross from Mexico or Canada or make multiple trips throughout the year.
For this reason, it is recommended that you keep:
Entry and exit dates.
Airline tickets.
Travel confirmations.
Immigration records.
Hotel and lodging itineraries.
Having this information organized can be critical if you ever need to demonstrate how many days you spent inside the country.
How Jambrina CPA can help you
If you plan to travel between Mexico, Canada, and the United States during this major sporting event, or if you frequently visit the U.S., it is a good idea to review how your accumulated days may impact your tax situation.
At Jambrina CPA, we help frequent travelers, investors, and individuals with international activities monitor their substantial presence, analyze tax residency risks, and maintain proper IRS compliance.
Work with a trusted CPA in the U.S. and receive tax advisory services in both Spanish and English to understand how your travel activity may affect your tax obligations before it becomes a problem.
Keeping track of your entries and exits today can help you avoid tax surprises tomorrow.