I am going to use a ceiling fan/light remote for separate operation of fan and can lighting. Does the neutral need to be split at the remote for proper operation or can they all be tied together from previous wiring while only splitting the hot through the remote?

Usually the neutral wires to the remote receiver unit as well. I'm not sure if it is necessary I've never tried without it. You can certainly try.

Be mindful of wattage/amperage limits when wiring can lights to a fan remote.

AND, I really wouldn't recommend this, because of the failure rate of remote units, but this is your project.

I have an accessible box for the remote since I have no easy direct wiring of the cans on the exterior, thus an easy change if it goes bad. The input neutral on the remote will be tied to the common coming into the box as will the cans. The lights off the remote will be carrying the same as a 4 light fan so wattage will not be a problem. I just wanted to know if the neutral was variable on the remotes coming out or if they were simply a pass through. If you know this or can recommend a good remote unit, please let me know. Thank you for your reply.

Good remote unit would be anything BESIDES Hampton Bay or Harbor Breeze. As I said on the neutral issue, you will need to try it for yourself.

I was able to run a separate neutral so I should be all good. Thanks for the remote advice