This is one of my all-time favourite posts. The many links form the basis of a lot of what was learned in the early days of Brock; not just from our own research and interaction but as shared with and by other blogs such as renounceuscitizenship. One of the strengths of our little expat community then and now, was no one tried to claim credit for anything, it was all combined in one big pool of information and grew. This distinguishes us from some of the older, more established groups. We have been able to accomplish a lot over the last three years and yet, there’s still a long road ahead.
Some of the comments on the blog date from the very first week of Brock. It is hard to describe how that time was different than now; there was little-to-no media coverage, mass hysteria about FBAR (FUBAR), renunciation was not yet common…..
If you are fairly new to Brock, please take the time to read through the posts that are linked. They are full of information, reflection, analysis and should someday, form the basis of a book. And please do the poll! It picks up where it left off; at 688 votes.
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“The United States is the only developed country in the world that subjects its nonresident citizens to complex, ongoing, multiple, and frequently meaningless financial forms and reportbacks. Recent new enforcement initiatives threaten to exacerbate the already onerous burdens imposed by longstanding American exceptionalism. The resulting current situation is fraught with uncertainty, inconsistency, and anxiety.”
The United States – AKA – “Form Nation” has imposed a tyranny of forms on its citizens. U.S. citizens abroad are required to file up to 45 information forms each year including FBAR and FATCA. The financial cost is crippling. As a result, citizenship has been priced out of the market.
Some things never change including the need to “Live Free”. But “freedom” is not free.
As was noted by President Reagan:
“Freedom is never one generation away from extinction.” We didn’t pass it on to our child in the bloodstream! The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known, is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it and then hand it to them with the well taught lessons of how they in their lifetime must do the same.”
Born Free” is a song you may remember. I invite you to remember it with a slight modification to the lyrics. Sing along!
Form free, as free as the wind blows
As free as the grass grows
Form free to follow your heart
Live free and beauty surrounds you
The world still astounds you
Each time you look at a star
Stay free, where no walls divide you
You’re free as the roaring tide
So there’s no need to hide
Form free, and life is worth living
But only worth living
‘Cause you’re form free
(Stay free, where no walls divide you)
You’re free as the roaring tide
So there’s no need to hide
Form free, and life is worth living
But only worth living
‘Cause you’re form free
This blog about U.S. citizenship abroad is intended to document how through “citizenship-based taxation” and all of its requirements, the Obama administration has unleashed a “reign of terror” against some of its most Patriotic citizens. For U.S. persons abroad, the election of Barack Obama resulted in “change that we could never believe” and certainly not “change we can believe in”. This is one one of many blogs documenting the plight of U.S. persons abroad.
Welcome to the story of the end of U.S. citizenship abroad. U.S. citizens abroad are being forced to renounce U.S. citizenship to protect themselves and their families.
Renounce U.S. Citizenship – Live “Form Free”!
reposted with permission
“Form Free” sounds like a dream.
Start at 48s: http://youtu.be/w0cXyGVsUjs?t=48s
U.S citizens hate our taxing system as bad as you do, well not all U.S. citizens but the 47% who actually pays taxes hates it. The 53% who vote for a living instead of working for a living, loves it.
Rebellion would have taked place already if we’d had to pay all those taxes to support the 53%. The wiley politicians in D.C. commonly known as the D.C. Pukes, prolonged the paying by borrowing enough money to keep the system solvent until we are almost 18 trillion dollars in debt. Those same D.C. Pukes are now going after every source of money they can, not to pay the debt, but to expand government. The one world order established by some U.S. politicians and George Soros, is perculating right along and you in the Disapora are the latest target! Suck it up and pay or help us here in wonderland, get the FairTax passed. Join Americansforfairtaxation.com and pay 5 U.S. dollars to promote membership in the FairTax. paid membership gives us a voice. 4.5 million NRA members can bring down a congressman, so help us get 5 million FairTaxers and we will bring then to their knees.
The US Commerce Department conducts a survey every five years called “Benchmark Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad” (BE-10), which is due on May 29, 2015 (tomorrow) for 2014. According to the BE-10 instructions:
“Who must report –
A BE-10 report is required of any U.S. person that had a foreign affiliate – that is, that had direct
or indirect ownership or control of at least 10 percent of the voting stock of an incorporated foreign business enterprise, or an equivalent interest in an unincorporated foreign business
enterprise – at any time during the U.S. person’s 2014 fiscal year. ”
A U.S. person is defined as: “U.S. person means any person resident in the United States or
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. See III.D.”
“III. D. Determining country of residence or jurisdiction of individuals –
An individual is considered a resident of, and subject to the jurisdiction of, the country in which it is physically located, subject to the following qualifications:
1. Individuals who reside, or expect to reside, outside their country of citizenship for less than one year are considered to be residents of their country of citizenship,
2. Individuals who reside, or expect to reside, outside their country of citizenship for one year or more are considered to be residents of the country in which they are residing.”
Based on my layman’s interpretation of the above, U.S. persons residing permanently abroad are probably NOT required to complete the BE-10 survey.
BTW: “Penalties – Whoever fails to report shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $2,500, and not more than $25,000, and to injunctive relief commanding such person to comply, or both.
Whoever willfully fails to report shall be fined not more than $10,000 and, if an individual, may be imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. ”
The BE-10 survey could be a great fundraiser for the US government. Just tweak the instructions a little to require Americans abroad to submit the survey for any paid, independent work and start collecting the fines for non-compliance. Cut the neighbor’s hedge for $20 and pay a survey fine of at least $2,500 for non-compliance.
http://www.bea.gov/surveys/pdf/be10/BE-10%20Instructions.pdf