Liberty and justice for all United States persons abroad

I Don’t Think That They Know Yet?

What a shame the responsible Americans are doing their best to find a job rather than stay in the U.S. unemployed, collecting food stamps and living in section 8 housing–only to find that their mindless politicians have new plans that will make their lives outside of the U.S. an impossibility. In 2013 the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act will begin and under its IRS reporting rules these hard working Americans will find themselves unable to open a bank account unless they are willing to sign away their Canadian privacy rights. Add to this the IRS’s restrictions on the types of accounts that they can hold, restrictions on employer provided pensions, investment restrictions and the potential for double taxation, and you’ve got a recipe for U.S. government induced failure. Many Americans from all over the world are now moving back to the States because the U.S. Congress has decided to make their lives outside of the U.S. intolerable and embarrassing. There is no reward for doing what is right.

Americans moving to Canada in record numbers: report

6 thoughts on “I Don’t Think That They Know Yet?

  1. Interesting that you should mention this.  On my morning walk today, I was listening to KUOW and they were doing some local reporting, as they do… Between NPR morning edition stories…

    And what did I hear, but this…

    Alberta Looks To Lure Pacific Northwest Unemployed

    Of course, there was no mention of taxes or FBARS or FATCA or any of the Citizenship tax complications that those eager for work would not even be considering.  I immediately thought, how can I warn them.  Frankly, if you are desperate for work, and there is work in the offering just north of the border, I don’t any of them would care even if I advised caution.  So, I wonder how many of them will stay, become permanent Canadians and later look to find a way out of the Citizenship Tax trap later!!

    BTW, do you think Alberta is doing any truth in advertising to these unsuspecting Americans?

    http://opportunityawaits.com/

    Not my job!

  2. @justme- A couple of months ago I wrote to Alberta’s Premier and told her then that U.S. citizens are not the answer to Alberta’s labour problem.  I also wrote the Minister of Immigration and Citizenship and the Minister of Finance.  I don’t understand on what basis the Governments of Canada can continue to allow U.S. citizens into this country when the government knows that these people will have access to limite banking services or maybe none at all.  And when the government knows that these people are just on LOAN from the U.S.  When the government of Canada knows that these people have a likelihood of being subject to a yearly U.S. franchise that is called a tax.

    There are workers from Europe who would be eager right now to live and work in Canada.  Ireland has a severe unemployment problems and last week the E.U. just announced an unemployment rate of 11.1%.  So why would Canada want Americans?  It is not in the national self interest of our Canadian society to bring in so many people who are a threat to Canadian sovereignty.

  3. @recalcitrantexpat

    Good point.  Getting a worker that comes unencumbered with Tax claims by the national of Citizenship should be a consideration.  I would bet, that they have never considered that fact, as prior to 3 years ago, it never mattered.  But it is a new time, and a new jihad, and so I wouldn’t be hiring American, if I were concerned about my tax base.  European makes more sense… 

    Haven’t found a way yet to comment directly to the KUOW story, but just sent them a Tweet.

    https://twitter.com/FATCA_Fallout/status/223875941066211328

    I will see if I can find an email address later.  I guess I should go and post a comment on the Yahoo story, but when I read the level of comments there, it generally turns me off bothering.  But, I will anyway.  Or, look for a twitter account.

  4. @Just Me  I’m not sure I’m understanding you correctly; I found the following on the Yahoo comments

     

    0users disliked this commentsandraRio De Janeiro, Brazil16 hours ago

    All Americans moving to Canada…PLEASE check out the IRS restrictions for US citizens working outside the US…the restrictions are stifling and could cause you a world of hurt if you are not familiar with them. Whatever you do, dont invest in RRSP’s, RESP, TFSA or mutual funds as this all has to be reported to the IRS.

    3 Replies

    • Melanie3users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentMelanie8 hours ago

      Regardless of what you invest in, you will ALWAYS have to file a tax return with the US government. As a Canadian working in an accounting firm, we are dealing with lots of AMericans who have been living in Canada for 20+ years and had no idea they had to file returns in the US as well. The IRS is cracking down on all expats. Only in the US do you have to file tax returns when you no longer live or work there!!

  5. @nobledreamer

    I am back and will try again tonight to see if I can access the comments.  I could see a time circle running, but nothing was loading on my computer so in the end, I gave up.

    mvh

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