Dear Mr. xxx,
Thank you for contacting me about the ongoing situation regarding the potential for Canadian citizens born in the United States to be pursued for US income tax by the IRS.
As you know, the situation is complicated and the legal status of Canadians born in the US, the threat of IRS action, and the possibility of real punitive action is still unclear. As a Canadian citizen born in the US, I can assure you that I share your concerns and am dedicated to defending the equality rights of all affected citizens.
I am dedicated to taking action on your behalf. I have sent correspondence to the Prime Minister on the issue. The government has taken the position I urged and is forcefully advocating that the US stop targeting law-abiding Canadians in pursuit of those US citizens hiding in the Cayman Islands.
In addition, I recently met with the US Ambassador to Canada, David Jacobson. He is also very much absorbed by the controversy. His main message to me was that I should share with my constituents his wish that we “stay calm.” He indicated to me that he understands the issues and is working closely with officials at all levels of government in the US and Canada to find a pragmatic solution to this problem.
You are not alone in this situation. Many are seeking a solution to the problem. I will keep you posted as I work to find a sensible approach. In the meantime, please keep me posted through my constituency office of any changes in your situation.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth May, O.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands
Leader of the Green Party of Canada
@ Badger and St. George,
Here’s the link to the comment you’re looking for, which contains “in the many dark hours before I became compliant (sacrificing 40% of lifesavings for fees to become so ) I considered divorce and/or suicide to protect my british family.” by Crystal London on the HR 597 to Establish a Commission … how laws/policies[affect]… USCs living in foreign countries thread
@Badger and @pacifica777
Thanks for your efforts on finding this link. The comments from “crystal london” are heart wrenching. How many others are in this situation that have not found this blog or are too timid to post, or just don’t know what to do? How did we get here? Unbelievable ……..
@Stgeorge, this is the natural cause of taxation without representation. When people are ignored, not heard, not taken into consideration and when their living circumstances are not understood or respected, then these stories become history.
@SwissPinoy
Absolutely correct. The sadness is that this group of persecuted people has no obvious way to protest en masse to the perpetrators of the crime. The only power we have is to renounce, with all the potential pitfalls involved in that convoluted process.
@Stgeorge
You’ve got that right. Unfortunately the vast majority can’t get there.
@all, those of us who won through to the other side, or who are safely nearing it can retell these stories to the politicians we are meeting with on behalf of those who cannot. And back it up with some of the submissions to the Ways and Means committee.
Point out to your Member of Parliament and others that very few reputable countries force their citizens living abroad to reconsider selling their primary residence, marriage, business partnerships, having children before renouncing, being volunteer fundraisers or treasurers in their communities, taking jobs with a cosignatory capacity, being named in a POA for future planning purposes, etc. on the basis of their citizenship status for a country where they haven’t lived for decades.
Only the US forces us and anyone associated with us to check the Internal Revenue manual first before getting married and having children, holding any joint family accounts, selling our Canadian home, etc.
The US should be shamed in front of all other nations if its duals and citizens ‘abroad’ declare that the inability to live with, or get rid of their unwanted US citizenship is threatening their marriages to non-US partners, depriving their children of disability benefits and education grants, causing them severe depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, threatening their homes, savings and bank accounts, and despite this desperate pass, obdurately refuses to recognize their concerns or assist them in any meaningful way.
Too bad we can’t go to the UN or another international body. There are plenty of UN members who would jump at the chance to castigate the US, and here is plenty of real grievances to give them fodder for some public shaming.
@Stgeorge
The act of renouncing sounds liberating to me.
hi all weeping now to read so supportive comments 1.5 months ago……….. we are progressing on my renunciation and cannot thank all IBS contributors as much as they deserve for giving me and UK family the will to carry on. We all love USA and hope that LT the “madness” of citizenship based taxation (CBT) could be replaced with RBT[residence based taxation ] as so many like ACA FAWCO, AARO, IBS, etc are advocating. Bless you all……XX