I once got trapped in enemy minefield w/ no good choices -getting hit w/ #FATCA felt like that says Bopp plaintiff http://t.co/8TauWmjamr
— ADCSovereignty (@ADCSovereignty) March 11, 2015
US Army major in 1st Iraq War = plaintiff in Bopp suit-forced 2 choose:: USC or arduous penalties http://t.co/6WYdc16xQ7 #FATCAMarriage
— Patricia Moon (@nobledreamer16) March 11, 2015
Rand Paul pushes repeal of #FATCA despised by Americans living abroad http://t.co/RxZ5kCSvhG via @washtimes Plaintiff in Bopp suit named
— ADCSovereignty (@ADCSovereignty) March 11, 2015
“Introducing Major (ret.) Roger Johnson: Major Johnson is the first Republicans Overseas FATCA lawsuit plaintiff and RO Worldwide Vice President for Eastern Europe. He served in the First Gulf War and received a Bronze Star for valor. As a combat veteran, he wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount of “up to and including his life.” Now he is fighting for all expats’ constitutional protections and the pursuit of happiness.“
FatcaFantastic! What a great choice! Can hardly imagine the American public dissing him as a traitor or tax cheat.
In order to contest a law, one must not be following it. Non compliant plaintiffs are what they have been acquiring.
Usually, plaintiffs are protected from govt harassment by the attorney filing an injunction during the course of the trial.
@Mark Twain
I don’t know what kind of compliance you’re referring to, but I’m referring to US tax compliant.
I’m sure there are other former military who are caught up in this mess. I know there’s at least one other on this forum besides me. I would like to hear from other military men about how you are dealing with this. How do you deal with the constant feeling of being left behind. Have you too, been tempted to send your medals to the president? Are you too, feeling like your back is against the wall because you can’t afford to pay a tax specialist but you know there’s no way in hell that you would ever renounce because you respect fallen brothers too much to ever do that.
As i write this, I admint i am holding back the tears. So I’ll stop now.
I’m sorry for this outburst but, this thread hit a very damadged nerve.
Martin
@hdxich It is important to get your story into writing. The more people doing this and forwarding their stories and commenting on articles, the closer we get to changes in the system. It might all take a few years. With military service record your story will be a powerful statement of the wrongs of the US policies.
There is a Facebook page for Expats that you may also seek out other military veterans.
You might prepare your story and e-mail to the Senate Finance Committee, with links here: http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2015/02/14/let-the-testimony-begin/comment-page-1/#comment-5741832 . The Isaac Brock Community would also like to hear your story.
My view is that the policies of the US government in regards to US citizens living overseas are not too far off from King George III or communist countries. In my letter to the Senate Finance Committee I let them know that I considered them all communists until proven otherwise.
@hdxich if you did renounce, that may impact on your military pension. Then you are really trapped. I don’t think anyone wants to renounce but many feel financially forced to.
You should try and get in touch with the plaintiff.
@hdxsch
We’re all cannon fodder in the US’s misguided war on offshore tax evasion.
I am a former USAF captain and Vietnam era veteran, our oath was to defend and uphold the constitution
not to the government or any office. I recognized 100 names on the memorial wall of persons I knew.
When the government becomes the enemy, not to oppose it would be a betrayal of your comrades and to your oath,
Many former citizens that frequent this site, who were born in the US are still attached to their place of birth
through family and fond memories, sadly those places have been taken over by a country that is foreign to the one we grew up in.
This discussion reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country from its government.”
-Edward Abbey, environmentalist and author
@Martin, Patricia, Other Veterans: Are you willing to speak with me for a possible article about how veterans are affected by this?
I do not know who would publish it, but I would pitch it a few places. If the mainstream media does not want it, it is likely a global tax publication would.
xdslch, Patricia: Your stories definitely need to be heard. See JC’s comment above about sending something to the Senate Finance Committee via a package being sent by Tricia Moon and John Richardson at the end of this month. Although I think they wanted everything in by the end of February I am certain that they would still welcome such powerful and heartbreaking statements as yours. You do not have to sign your real names. Thank you for sharing. (Apologies, Tricia, if I’ve spoken out of turn!)
Veteran stories resound in the Congressional halls. Both RO and DA are collecting anecdotes.
My idea was to have more “puppy and kitten” stories, but what could be better than those who’ve served to become collateral damage to US policy?
I met Rand Paul in September 2014 and showed him a copy of the birth certificate President Obama uses to show Obama was born in Hawaii. I suggested that because Obama’s father was born in Kenya, the Kenyan government could impose income taxes and FBAR requirements on him.
Now, what is relevant on the Brock forum is S. 663, the bill Paul filed to repeal some FATCA provisions. I like Paul’s father, Ron Paul, a lot more than I like Rand Paul, but it is important to assure lurkers that they are welcome here regardless of how much they like or dislike a particular politician. Rand Paul and Ron Paul have pretty much the same position on abortion, but the Brock forum has nothing to do with that issue, so don’t be turned away because you agree or disagree on that other issue.
Kinda like the celebration when the lawyer handling the ADCS-ADSC lawsuit won a case in court about a different issue.
@Tom Alciere
If I was still living in the US with no intention of leaving, concerns about the treatment of expats might be of low priority to me. I also doubt that an unfavourable outcome to any of those more important issues would be critical enough for me to have cease being a US citizen!
This is a make or break situation for a lot of people, and I know for certain many are willing to hold their noses rather than shoot themselves in the foot.
@MuzzledNoMore I believe ADCS was going to send submissions to the Senate Finance Committee in February. However there was this press release on 11.03.15:
Hatch, Wyden Launch New Effort to Seek Input on Bipartisan Tax Reform
http://www.finance.senate.gov/newsroom/chairman/release/?id=3bcf1fcf-9dd8-47d4-9202-21a0870cd8d6.
Stakeholders and the Public Asked to Submit Ideas to Working Groups, in pdf format and via e-mail among the following 5 divisions.
Individual Income Tax – Individual@finance.senate.gov
Business Income Tax – Business@finance.senate.gov
Savings & Investment – Savings@finance.senate.gov
International Tax – International@finance.senate.gov
Community Development & Infrastructure – CommunityDevelopment@finance.senate.gov
MuzzledNoMore you should send your essay in. Our issues could cover 1,3, and 4. If you have a business then 2.
How about sending them Nina Olson`s report?
Man- how many many many many times is this necessary?
@Polly – Nina Olson’s report is missing important aspects. For instance, The Taxpayer Bill of Rights does not include:
* Right to Reasonable Compliance Cost and Time Required For Tax Paid
* Respect For US Bill of Rights In Regards to Excessive Fines, Privacy, Unreasonable Seizure, and Treaty Power.
#10 is: Right to a Fair and Just Tax System. This one is going our way as if one or members of their community do not get any benefits for the tax then this undermines the justification of the tax. Also taxation without representation: US persons abroad would never agree to taxation of their overseas pensions or any taxes especially when there are no benefits in return.
JC: Thanks for the suggestion. I sent in a different, shorter, and a bit more personal (but still anonymous) essay this time.
I hope they read all the letters sent to the House Ways and Means Committee two years ago. As Polly asked, “how many many many many times is this necessary?” I guess the answer is, as many times as we have to until they act on our grievances and repair this appalling situation.
@hdxlch – I deeply respect your emotions in this matter. NO person should ever be put through this sort of trauma by their own country. I am not a US Person (as defined, so far as I know) yet I am truly grateful for the sacrifice and service of ALL persons in the armed services who have fought for Freedom, Fairness and Constitution. Thank you and all others in similar circumstances on this web site.
@Patricia. As I posted just now to @hdxlch, I am not a US Person (as defined, so far as I know) yet I am truly grateful for the sacrifice and service of ALL persons in the armed services who have fought for Freedom, Fairness and Constitution. Thank you and all others (US, Canadian, UK and others) in similar circumstances on this web site. NO person should ever be put through this sort of trauma by their own country.
@MuzzledNoMore re: two years ago. Then it was Democratic controlled, now Republican. Perhaps get the submissions of two years ago out, update them, and send in.