Update 3:
Those in or near London, England might be interested that a similar event to take place there on Sunday, July 28, 2013, is in the works. I will post the details as the become available.
UDPATE 2:
Saturday, June 15
Don Mills United Church – 126 O’Connor Dr., Toronto, Ontario M4K 2K7
Click here for directions (at the corner of Pape and O’Connor, see google maps). There is some street parking.
Doors will open at 9:45 a.m.
UPDATE 1:
- There is to be no taping/recording/videoing of ANY part of the day.
- The day will be extended to encourage more people to attend.
- Attendance is free.
The morning session will focus primarily on the emotional issues and the afternoon session on practical issues.
Session I: The Financial and Emotional Costs of U.S. Citizenship Abroad
- When: Saturday June 15, 2013 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
- Where: Downtown Toronto – Near U of T – Final location posted on June 13
- Who: a Senior Licensed Psychologist
Description: Since 2011, the Obama administration has subjected millions of people Living outside the United States to a vicious attack. This includes Reaching into Canada. The IRS has literally threatened millions of innocent persons living outside the United States with fines exceeding their personal wealth–up to 380% of their financial assets. For many, this experience has taken a toll on their mental and physical health, and that has been even greater than the financial damage. A psychologist will address the emotional issues associated with the threats and demands that IRS is making. He will describe his own emotional experience and encourage others to share their own emotional reactions to these circumstances. Strategies will be discussed on how to cope with the stress caused by the IRS and the difficulties of living as a U.S. person abroad.
Session II: US Citizenship Abroad and Compliance Issues – Where we have come from. Where we are. Where we may be going
- When: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Who: An experienced Toronto lawyer
- What: Focus on more practical issues
Description: Beginning in the summer of 2011 the IRS aided by the media and cross-border professionals began a relentless attack on U.S. citizens in Canada. The spectre of FATCA has worsened the situation. The purpose of this session will be to review:
- Summer of 2011 – where we have come from
- 2011 to now – where we are now
- 2014 and onwards – where we may be going
What might this mean for U.S. citizenship in Canada? What are some possible responses? How can/should you respond to a difficult situation?
Please note that although this event will take place on June 15, it is NOT a session on how to file a U.S. tax return. The discussion will however include relevant U.S. tax issues and reporting/information returns.
You may feel you need help because:
- You are or have been threatened by the imposition of life-altering fines for failing to file information returns you had no reason to know existed;
- You feel victimized by the Canadian and other non-U.S. media, who have constantly referred to you as a “tax cheat” and advised you to “come clean”;
- You feel “taken advantage of” by the so-called “cross-border professionals”.
You just want to be compliant with the law, but you receive conflicting advice, and nobody seems to be able to tell you how to do it, yet they are asking for “huge” fees; - You feel completely misunderstood by the non-U.S. citizens in your life. They can’t understand the feelings of fear, betrayal and injustice that you feel. In some cases, this experience has put your marriage at risk;
- Your health has been dramatically affected by all of this. You can’t sleep. You worry. You have gained or lost weight. You are no longer the happy person you were. You feel that your life has been stolen from you.
First published May 27, 2013
northernstar,
If you have done nothing US since becoming a Canadian citizen in 1993 (having a US passport, filing US tax returns, voting in a US election), you should be able to claim relinquishment by becoming a Canadian citizen. Please read all of the experiences (and the other information) in the Consulate Report Directory. Many successful relinquishment experiences are recorded in the link in this post: http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/consulate2/.
@ Northern Star.
If you became a Canadian with the intention of simultaneously relinquishing your US citizenship, and lived accordingly since, then you terminated your US citizenship in 1993 – so basically you’re formally notifying the US consulate of this next month. They determine it by your answers in your DS-4079 questionnaire (Request for Determination of Possible Loss of US Citizenship), which will illustrate that that your life, beginning in 1993, has been consistent with lack of US citizenship (eg no US voting, passport, etc.). You can read more about people’s relinquishments in the Consulate Report Directory, particularly in the Canadian section of it, where there’s quite a few. There’s also links to the other required forms in the directory.
@meincanada
As Calgary says, you somehow managed to get a US passport and a SSN, so technically, you are a US citizen. What to do all depends upon the particulars of your situation. Some people in your shoes, assuming at some point that you may show up in their records, would go through the renunciation process if no taxes were owed, etc. Others would do nothing. It depends entirely on how you feel about it.
If you are sure no US indicia will show up in any of your bank records and you know you will never be applying to anything US where you might be asked if you have a US parent, you could certainly consider just ignoring it.
If you are an anxious person and would always have it in the back of your mind, you might consider going through with the process.
Pingback: The Isaac Brock Society
Pingback: The Isaac Brock Society
Pingback: Thoughts on @TorontoCentre Nov. 18 #FATCA #TorCen All Candidates Debate | Toronto Centre Debates - All candidates debate
Pingback: The Isaac Brock Society
Pingback: The Isaac Brock Society | Happy Birthday Isaac Brock Society!
Pingback: The Isaac Brock Society | Let the Testimony Begin!