Great news! Just received the following update from “Just Me”. Susan Tompor of the Detroit Free Press has written an article about the importance of reporting foreign bank accounts to the IRS.
You can find it here. I would suggest getting over there to post some comments. This article has great potential to focus this problem from the perspective of regular people – you know, the ones who use “foreign” bank accounts for day-to-day life.
Thanks to “Just Me”!
Looks like another scare piece.
Visited the Detroit Free Press site to read and add comments. It only allows for Facebook based feedback (vs. e-mail or account-based postings). Their site says; “We’re using Facebook Comments on articles to create a more civil environment for conversation”). This restriction of anonymity will likely discourage comments critical of the IRS, and wider feedback from those who see themselves as potential targets…
@geeez,
Have to agree…just another scare piece. If you read this one would assume that if you try and become compliant they are going to take 5% no matter what.
Why is everyone pushing the OVDI so strongly? I would like to see some language that separates the tax evaders from the ones who just “failed” to file.
Well, the author’s phone number and email are available:
Contact Susan Tompor: 313-222-8876 or stompor@freepress.com
So far, nobody is posting…..this is a chance to respond directly to US media. Calling all you wonderful authors!!!
I was reluctant to post there, and maybe others are too – since the setup for comments relies on a Facebook account – a possible barrier to anonymity..?
Thanks Peter;
I have a call into to Susan Tompor at the above listed number….we will see if she calls me back.
I suggest everyone clog her voice mail with a callback request.
Here is a fantastic comment to here her from “Just Me”
http://renounceuscitizenship.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/just-me-comment-on-susan-tompor-detroit-free-press-some-foreign-accounts-must-be-reported-to-irs/
US citizens living in Canada have Canadian bank accounts are not “offshore”, not “foreign” at all. Expats are offshore US persons. And when this stupid FBAR law was drafted, it should have excluded all offshore US persons! It does not make any sense except make US a laughing stock for stupidity.
If FBAR is exempted for US military personnel (offshore), diplomats etc, why does not apply to US expats ? Are these two kinds people all making a living offshore ?
ij, they are different. They get paid from the US Gov with taxes deducted, unless they serve in a combat zone, and they get taxes waived. Most of them can not open up bank accounts abroad because they don’t have ID papers from the countries they are stationed in. I had a bank account in Europe to pay for locals bills many years back, but I had to tell them when I was leaving and they closed the account immediately.
The military would exchange money for me to pay my rent and bills at the local currency. Sometimes I got money from the cash machines, but usually the “military” exchange rate was fixed weekly so if rates at banks were going down, I could exchange currency at work for a better rate.
A VERY small percentage of military marry locals and live like REAL expats. Military personnel tend to be quite “American” and never really assimilate into the local culture. They get most benefits of “American life” from the base (They have PXs, commissaries, even satellite TV is beamed in for them). There are exceptions, of course– the ones who really blend in, but that is rare.
When I was in the miltary, I visited several bases in Europe, and they were all the same, as far as being “little America”: several military bases in Germany, Rota in Spain, Shape in Belgium, etc.. Always very American.
@Mach7, that’s why I keep saying over and over again that people should fill out the forms the second they get a bank account or they move to America. Then there’s not a d**n thing the USG can say.
Or let’s say that someone is keeping up with what I write about. I’m waiting to renounce AND then I’m taking ever cent out of the US Dollar.
geeeez,
Thanks for your comments. I am a Canadian expat in US, I would be very upset if CRA had same kind FBAR imposed on my US accounts.
Logically, I always view offshore is relative to the taxpayer’s residency. Then I would be so wrong, because US Gov is so self-centered as its military command is global referenced. Central Command is not covering state like Indiana, Illinois etc.. but it is to cover all the way to Middle East, and of course, Pacific Command is taking care China.
I am sure Canada is covered by North Command.
Can anyone imagine Chinese Navy East Sea fleet is taking care of California ?
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