CanuckDoc has asked me to publicize this:
I thought anybody in the Halifax area should know about the information meeting tomorrow night (Jan 18) arranged by our MP It’s all on her web page: http://meganleslie.ndp.ca/
UPDATE: Please see Canuckdoc’s notes on the meeting.
@CanukDoc,
I hear you.
I am also not surprised they spoke mostly about OVDI…this is where you can scare people the most and get them to use there services.
The big money is in OVDI…no question about it (IMHO)
Please don’t get me wrong…i am sure there was a lot of good information at the meeting…but like you said, it made you stay awake for most of the night thinking about OVDI…..which in my opinion was the purpose all along.
Again….OVDI is for tax cheats and evaders. Most expats are neither…even though the IRS has attempted to make us feel this way.
If you review the Dec 07 IRS fact sheet, they basically state that they realize they had an obligation to inform, and that delinquit tax forms can usually bring one back into compliance by filing 6 years back.
This is the information that I read, and this is the information that I base by back filings on….and so should you.
OVDI does not have anything to do with people like us (tax compliant, law-abiding).
On another note….its nice to know there is another expat in Halifax!
@Canuckdoc
@Mach7
I completely agree with on the issue of OVDI. OVDI is a program designed for criminals. Furthermore it is a “VOLUNTARY” program. The requirements to file FBARs and tax returns are mandatory.
It is incredible to me that these so called “cross-border professionals” emphasize a voluntary program over just doing the appropriate filings as per the Dec. 7/11 FS.
Furthermore the Dec. 7/11 FS suggest 6 years of filings as opposed to the 8 years in OVDI. OVDI requires “up front” payments and the FS does not. OVDI presumes criminality and the FS does not.
@Canuckdoc – can you confirm that the Dec. 7/11 FS was not discussed at this meeting. If not, I am baffled and would love to know why not.
http://renounceuscitizenship.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/irs-reopens-the-offshore-voluntary-disclosure-program-and-promises-new-procedures-for-u-s-citizens-living-outside-the-united-states/
Furthermore, the simple reality is that most could people could not afford the financial cost of even entering OVDI.
http://renounceuscitizenship.wordpress.com/2012/01/17/u-s-citizenship-has-been-priced-out-of-the-market/
It seems to me that the people at this meeting were subjected to a rather narrow perspective on with respect to their options.
By the way the difference between “IRA” and “IRS” 19 letters further along in the alphabet. Can we therefore infer that the “IRS” is move evolved version of the “IRA”?
Canuckdoc, you reported the accountant said repeatedly that CRA will colllect for IRS–even though your own understanding is different.
Some have posted information here from CARP and other sources. .
In another thread, Tim posted a letter–on official letterhead–from Minister Flaherty
In this Minister Flaherty clearly states CRA will “not collect taxes imposed under laws that impose only a reporting requirement. Furthermore, CRA “does not and will not collect the U.S. tax liability of a Canadian citizen if the individual was a Canadian citizen at the time the liability arose (whether or not the individual was also a U.S. citizen at that time.”
Based on this, it appears the accountant is wrong and the good doctor is right.
CanuckDoc:
But there is power in numbers. So what if someday there are rallys in the streets. peaceful protests at US embassies around the world … I don’t think it can happen yet.
You are onto a fundamental crux in this situation. Praise to Petros for taking his stand in the spotlight. The contradiction of large numbers yoked with pervasive fear deserves much meditation.
http://usxcanada.wordpress.com/questions/#irsfear