[We now have a NEW POST taking us up to February 1, 2015. This post will be retired from service.]
THE AUTUMN 2014 UPDATE
Dear Donors,
Together, we reached our goal of $100,000 to pay the November 1 legal bill 11 days ahead of schedule!
Thank you Canadian donors from coast to coast and our friends from around the world for your generosity, support and determination — and especially for not being afraid.
The name of our non-profit corporation is the “Alliance for the Defence of Canadian Sovereignty.”
We were very deliberate in including in our name the word “sovereignty”, which forms a cornerstone of our Claims against the Government of Canada.
Canada and dozens of other countries throughout the world gave into a bully because their “leaders” were afraid of harm caused by a trading “partner” — and they gave their sovereignties away.
Help us convince by example the Leaders and Governments of all countries worldwide that they should return their sovereignties back to their Peoples.
Please continue to support our lawsuit.
“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” (Helen Keller)
— Plaintiffs Ginny and Gwen, and the ADCS-ADSC team
Chers donateurs,
Ensemble, nous avons atteint notre but d’amasser 100 000 $ pour payer notre facture légale du 1er novembre 11 jours d’avance !
Un gros merci à vous, donateurs canadiens, et à nos amis de tous les coins du monde pour votre grande générosité, soutien et détermination. Et surtout pour votre courage.
Le nom de notre organisme sans but lucratif est « l’Alliance pour la défense de la souveraineté canadienne ».
Nous avons choisi délibérément le mot « souveraineté » puisqu’il constitue la base fondamentale de nos revendications envers le gouvernement du Canada.
Le Canada et des dizaines d’autres pays se sont pliés devant l’intimidation des États-Unis parce que leurs « leaders » ont eu peur des menaces de notre « partenaire » commercial. Ils ont donc vendu leur souveraineté à rabais.
Aidez-nous à convaincre les dirigeants et les gouvernements de tous ces pays qu’ils se doivent de remettre leur souveraineté à leurs peuples.
S’il vous plaît, continuez à soutenir notre cause.
« Seuls, nous pouvons faire si peu. Ensemble, nous pouvons faire beaucoup. » (Helen Keller)
— Ginny, Gwen et toute l’équipe de l’ADCS-ADSC
DONATE to www.adcs-adsc.ca (ADSC en français).
I’ve sent information on to all the journalists that interviewed me, both sides of the border. If you’re referring to the Canadian coverage, it has gone from me to Patrick Cain, Global News (Patrick.Cain@globalnews.ca) and to James Fitz-Morris (james.fitz-morris@cbc.ca) and Amber Hildebrandt (amber.hildebrandt@cbc.ca) of CBC News.
Just received the following from ACA. Is this worth a new post?
I hope they’ll mention the Canadian initiative in their next newsletter….
ACA Launches First of Its Kind Online Directory of U.S. Tax Preparers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (June 3, 2014) American Citizens Abroad, Inc. (ACA), yesterday announced the official launch of its US Tax Return Preparers Directory. This innovative resource provides the most comprehensive listing of specialist return preparers ever assembled.
“Until now, there was nowhere someone could go to find a tax preparer experienced at preparing returns for individuals with international tax issues”, said Charles Bruce, Legal Counsel, ACA, and Editor of the Directory. “ACA gets a steady stream of inquiries from people looking for help. This Directory will be a great resource for the overseas American community as well as taxpayers resident in the U.S.”
The Directory is free of charge for ACA members and the public alike. Approximately 1,500 return preparers located in over 50 countries including the United States will be listed. It is available online at http://www.acareturnpreparerdirectory.com.
“We anticipate that most people using the Directory will reside abroad. However, some may divide their time between two or more countries or may reside in the U.S.,” said Marylouise Serrato, Executive Director, ACA. “This is also useful for nonresident aliens, NGOs or anyone else that needs to file U.S. forms or simply needs assistance interpreting the rules.”
The Directory will be continuously updated and any return preparers, attorneys, accountants, enrolled agents, or others dealing on a day-to-day basis with return preparation and filings for Americans overseas can be added to the Directory upon request. It is also searchable by location/country and provides information on each preparer including their education and professional qualifications and the types of returns they prepare (Ex: US Federal and State Income Tax, US Estate and Gift Tax, Trust Forms, Exempt Organization Forms, and Foreign Bank Account Reports).
This project fits squarely within ACA’s mission to continuously provide important and useful information to the estimated 8 million Americans resident overseas. As such, the Directory also contains a database of other critical information related to filing US tax returns, such as, how to choose a tax return preparer, steps and deadlines for filing returns and Foreign Bank Account Reports, IRS offices outside the US, and what to do if the IRS has questions, among other information.
American Citizens Abroad, Inc. is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization representing Americans abroad since 1978. ACA does not provide return preparation services. For more information on how preparers can list in the Directory, please contact Julie Sanford at julie.sanford@americansabroad.org. For information on ACA, Inc. and its work or any information contained in this press release please contact ACA Executive director Marylouise Serrato at info@americansabroad.org or ACA Legal Counsel Charles Bruce cmb@ilf.ch.
@noone, I doubt that ACA will publicize the Canadian challenge. Posting information about U.S. tax preparers suggests that they are interested in helping U.S. citizens abroad come into compliance with U.S. CB tax law, not challenging it or FATCA. The fact that they haven’t yet made public the video of their debate in Toronto on CBT versus RBT also isn’t encouraging. I hope they prove my skepticism wrong, but I’m not holding my breath.
ACA made a list of carpetbaggers for expats. Don’t expect them to be supporting any of the challenges in Canada, the US or anywhere for that matter.
Republicans Overseas seems to be one of the few “reliable” allies out there. They posted a link to ADCS on their facebook page. Hat tip to RO!
https://www.facebook.com/republicansoverseas
Well, isn’t that just lovely: The ACA goes to all the trouble to list the vultures available to pick the bones of their fellow Americans?
What a …. ( you know, these things that have come to try us regarding FATCA makes one at a loss sometimes to find the right words: Outraged. Furious. Seething. Disgusted. Astounded. Somehow, none of them that come quickly to mind seem to fit the bill) Every single day something is learned that makes us scratch our heads in wonder and dismay at just how readily fellow humans will betray their peers, even as they pretend to be an advocate for the rights of same.
I had never heard of ACA before IBS but I do not think I am missing much. They seem altogether too enamoured of Washington types and Congresscritters almost to dieafication… oohing and aahing over the fact a congresswoman deined to speak to them or some other DC regular actually acknowledged their presence.
To me, that attitude is guaranteed to fail, for these folks in DC intend to see to it you get skinned alive and we intend to see to it they DON’T
So, it does not surprise me they actually went to the time and trouble to put up this list. Sending their fellows right into the maw of evil.
@omg:
I think this nightmare will either be over VERY quickly or never over until they have taken every last cent from us and our heirs while they loll on patios and beaches enjoying their spoils. ( whoever THEY are!)
From what I am hearing, forces are in the works to bring down the US dollar. Moves are afoot to effect that very thing. China and Russia as predicted have signed an agreement to sell oil and gas and bypass their petrodollar ( US dollar) The BRICS also poised to move against the dollar. God only knows what that means for us here in Canada.
I cannot think this is a good thing for any of us, as our economy is so tied to the US. If US gets the sniffles we get the flu for Heaven’s Sake!
Since all the discussion today has been downright depressing, does anyone have ANY good news? The mention of ADCS on RO’s FB is about all I could find and it will likely scroll away to oblivion in no time. Jim Bopp needs to do something pretty quick if it’s his intention to do anything before F-Day. I couldn’t find any update since the initial announcement.
I won’t be looking at that dreadful FFI list because it’s on an IRS site and we don’t touch anything IRS from our home computer now. I’m just assuming my FI (credit union) will eventually be on the list if candy makers and termite exterminators are signing up.
@Em, I think I read somewhere that Jim Bopp can’t actually file a lawsuit in the US until after FATCA goes into effect on July 1st.
@Em, Yes! The good news is that American abroad will be able to get compliant without the fear of penalties.
http://taxpol.blogspot.ca/2014/06/irs-to-unveil-compliance-program-for-us.html
Still nothing for immigrants to the US, though….
From Lydia Beloud at Bloomberg’s Daily Tax RealTime:
U.S. citizens abroad who are noncompliant with their tax obligations but aren’t willfully evading taxes may be able to come into compliance under a new program to be announced by the Internal Revenue Service in a matter of weeks, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said June 3. “We are well aware that there are many U.S. citizens who have resided abroad for many years, perhaps even the vast majority of their lives. We have been considering whether these individuals should have an opportunity to come into compliance that doesn’t involve the type of penalties that are appropriate for U.S.-resident taxpayers who were willfully hiding their investments overseas,” Koskinen said during an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development forum in Washington. Koskinen told reporters following the event that program details will be issued in the next few weeks.
@omgheestillanamerican, any news on Republicans Overseas funding for Jim Bopp’s lawsuit?
@noone, sorry I have no idea about the funding for the RO lawsuit.
@ OMG
Okay, allow the FATCA horse to leave the barn, trample some sheeple in the corral and take a run at leaping the fence. Then it’s time to saunter over to the hook, take down the lariat and try to rope that critter. It is a plan — better than nothing for sure. I just hope Jim Bopp lives up to his superlawyer status. Edward Karr in that youtube video certainly is enthusiastic about Jim Bopp’s “roping” skills.
@ noone
Yes I suppose that’s good news for those who want to be compliant but for some, compliance holds the same appeal as a leg-hold trap.
My relatively limited experince with ACA was good. They are there to serve “Americans” abroad many of whom are short term or are able to remain American. In which case it makes sense for them to offer help with the situation of FATCA facing them. Perhaps the ones listed are trusted and not those who just jumped on the band wagon hanging out a sign when they heard about FATCA. I had a horrible experince here with one of those who said they “know about U.S. taxes” they did not, I knew more than they did and worse they wanted a ton of money. ACA may be able to direct the above sorts of people to reasonably priced and knowledgable help. It’s only logical they would.
They have advocated for a very, very long time for RBT so I don’t think they have jumped up and joined the CBT side. Hopefully, they will link to or write an article about the Charter Challenge here in Canada soon. As I do think that is also important for the members whether they will be remaining American or not.
Small local fundraisers can go a long way and each person can do something. I will be at our Canada Day fesitivies with some information and trying to drum up support and donations by linking people to the website where they can do so. I feel I will reach a lot of people on a day like that with so much foot traffic. Festivals which are local are good places to engage people. Hold local meeting with those who attended John Richardsons presentations in your city. Start a phone list. LOTS of ways people can join in.
@AtticusinCanada, ACA has been opposing FATCA, advocating for the same country exception.
I am not asking them to “advertise” or ask people to donate. I understand that this would not be a good political move for them, since they work closely with Washington.
But I think that’s important news that they should help disseminate in their monthly newsletter. I am just asking them to mention it – nothing else.
I’d be curious to know how many people are in their mailing list and how many they could reach.
@ Atticus
Obviously ACA is not for me (not American, not “abroad”). This list which is free for members to view is paid for by the tax preps. ACA will take their money but will they do any vetting? If someone registers a complaint about a tax prep will the ACA return the fee and remove the listing? One would hope so but that remains to be seen.
@Em, I’m not American and not abroad either anymore so…don’t think ACA is for me either. I do think however their long standing advocacy for RBT is an asset. I don’t know if they will vet those advertising on their site and utterly disagree with their position that citizenship should be passed on to children as that affects millions with no say in whether or not they choose to be American.
I just don’t think their recent advertising is indicative of their support for CBT. I think they believe FATCA is pretty heinous. At any rate they don’t represent me either. Not American, not abroad.
@noone
Making the distinction between resident and nonresident is a first step! I wonder what they will come up with though. Usually it isn’t enough….. like “streamlined”. It would be nice to see something that was really a game-changer.
Made my donation, hope it helps.
For those interested in Koskinen’s remarks where he talks about the revised OVDP: http://www.irs.gov/PUP/irs/Commissioner%20Koskinen's%20Remarks%20at%20US%20CIB%20and%20OECD%20Int%20Tax%20Conf%20June%202014.pdf
One can always hope.
@Em, I loved your comment on ACA and it is so true!!
No disrespect to ACA but the label describes the tin accurately. They are supporting “Americans” who are away from the homeland with an implied return (Abroad).
Me too, I am neither American nor Abroad.
Welcome to Former Americans at Home (FAH)
I am going ahed with the “second class Canadian” T-shirt idea. I’d like logo ideas if possible. I found a Custom T-shirt company locally here and am ready to print. I want to show up at every political forum I can wearing it and taking questions.
@Native Canadian. Wow!!!
On the back, maybe the IBS webpage link?
I was thinking of Sir Issac Brock’s picture with the IBS website somewhere on it yes….