by Karen Alpert
www.fixthetaxtreaty.org
Overview
This feedback addresses the Residence Based Taxation (RBT) proposal from American Citizens Abroad that can be found at these links:
- Residency-Based_Taxation_ACA_Proposal_Side-By-Side_Comparison_161201_Final (1)
- Residency-Based_Taxation_Baseline_Approach_Feb._7_2017
- https://www.americansabroad.org/news/aca-publishes-detailed-descr-of-its-rbt-proposal-and-announces-coalition-to-score-rbt-proposal/
- https://www.americansabroad.org/news/aca-advances-on-residency-based-taxation-rbt/
This proposal starts from the premise that citizenship is an acceptable basis for taxation. Shouldn’t that premise be questioned? Allison Christians, tax law professor at McGill University, argues that citizenship alone is not a sufficient basis for taxation ( https://ssrn.com/abstract=2924925). Every other country on the planet (bar Eritrea) starts from the premise that countries have the right to tax residents to support the services used by residents.
Qualification for RBT
For Accidental Americans – both those born in the US to foreign parents who have not lived in the US as an adult, and those born outside the US who qualify for US citizenship from birth but have never lived in the US – the justification for citizenship based taxation is non-existent. Do these individuals need to apply for a “Departure Certificate”? If so, at what age?
When a person makes a long-term move out of the US, why should they have to wait for 5 years to qualify for RBT? If I move from California to Texas, once I’ve established a residence in Texas, California no longer taxes me as a resident, effective immediately. Why should an international move be any different?
While waiting those 5 years, US tax will cost low income earners much more than it does under the current system. The proposal repeals the Foreign Earned Income Exemption (FEIE). While the level of FEIE is quite high, it is most valuable for middle class and lower socio-economic groups. Other countries have much more generous tax free thresholds and lower tax rates at low income levels. In Australia, for example, an individual could earn up to A$20,000 (US$15,000) before any Australian tax is due. Loss of FEIE will mean tax is due to the US for individuals earning US$10-15k. At the other end of the income spectrum, however, FTC is always a better answer than FEIE. Australia’s tax rates rise to 45% for incomes above A$180,000 (US$135,000). So, repeal of Section 911 FEIE will impact those least able to pay additional taxes and exacerbate income inequality.
The proposal does not address other information returns. Current IRS rules require that forms 8621 (PFICs) and 5471 (controlled foreign corporation) are required even when a tax return is not. For many Americans abroad, the reporting (and associated punitive penalties) is more of a problem than actually paying taxes (most owe no tax to the US anyway). If the reporting continues as long as one is a citizen, then renunciations will continue as well.
Departure Certificate
When applying for a Departure Certificate it appears that the IRS has control over the timing of the issuance of the Certificate and thus the effective date. With the current renunciation process, the potential renunciant has the date of the appointment in advance and can decide on the day whether to complete the process or not. With volatile exchange rates, the timing can affect the US dollar net worth of the individual, potentially subjecting them to the Departure Tax should the value of the US dollar fall relative to their home currency in the time between submission and approval of the application for Departure Certificate. Additionally, lack of control over the timing could cause hardship for those who must be free of US reporting to take up a job, or otherwise have a time-critical need to be free of US taxation.
Annual re-certification is a bureaucratic nightmare. One possible alternative is to collect this information as US citizens enter and leave the country. For those who return to employment in the US, the chance of avoiding taxation is minimal. Similarly, Social Security checks or investment income sent to a US address could be used as a rebuttable presumption that the US citizen is once again residing in the US.
In the Departure Tax section of the proposal it is not clear whether the intention is to use the net worth threshold in section 877(a)(2) and raise that to $5million for both renunciants and citizens opting in to RBT. Given the justification used by legislators for both the exit tax and the Departure Tax, the net worth threshold for both should be linked to the estate tax threshold and similarly indexed for inflation.
At what point does an individual determine that they have been tax compliant. Is it similar to the current Exit Tax procedures where delinquent returns filed before filing form 8854 allow one to certify compliance?
The IRS “User Fee” of $2,350 per person is a lot of money for those on modest incomes – precisely the people who will be hurt most by the repeal of section 911. The renunciation fee, which the IRS User fee is based on, is already the highest such fee in the world, and a financial hardship for many. Forcing citizens to buy their way out of Citizenship based taxation at this high price means that only those who are already relatively well-off will be able to buy their freedom. Like the current system, the proposal exacerbates income inequality by making it prohibitively expensive for those with incomes below the median to exit the double taxation forced on them by the unfair system of citizenship based taxation. As under current rules, the proposed User Fee also makes it harder and more expensive for US citizens residing outside of the US to leave the US tax system than it is for permanent residents (green card holders) – in this area citizens are treated worse than non-citizens!
Furthermore, setting the IRS User Fee to the same price as renunciation makes renunciation preferable to RBT for many citizens abroad. Those who will not be covered expatriates, who are having trouble maintaining banking relationships, are shut out of jobs due to either FATCA/FBAR reporting or the requirement to report controlled corporations to the IRS, or have no intention of returning to the US will find renunciation preferable.
Anti‐Abuse Rules
Under the Anti-Abuse rules – gain from sale of securities taxable in the US for two years after receiving the Departure Certificate: but individuals must have a foreign residence for five years before they are even eligible for a Departure Certificate, and if their net worth is above $5 million they must pay a Departure Tax. What abuse is it if securities are sold within 2 years of receiving the Departure Certificate?
On page 6: “Individuals eligible for the special rule for individuals residing abroad (RBT rules, above) would be subject to the Departure Tax, whether or not they are tax-compliant. The date of departure for such individuals would be the subsequent date of issuance of a valid Certificate.” This appears to contradict the special rule on page 5 which states that these individuals are not subject to the Departure Tax if they are tax-compliant.
On page 6: “If an individual who was a non-resident American for any of the prior 5 years and was a resident American for any year prior to that period, and again becomes a resident American, then he or she shall be treated as a resident American for each of the prior five years.” (emphasis added) This appears to be saying that anyone returning to the US who has ever been subject to US tax will have to amend their prior 5 years of non-resident returns and file as a resident. The proposal requires individuals to wait for 5 years before they are eligible for RBT, then if their life circumstances change and they move back to the US, they will lose the benefit of up to 5 years of non-resident treatment under RBT?
FATCA and FBAR reporting
There are several reasons FATCA should be repealed beyond the problem of access to banking by US Persons. FATCA costs much more than it will ever generate in revenue. The OECD’s Common Reporting Standard (CRS) has been implemented by financial institutions in many of the countries with FATCA IGAs. Under CRS, institutions collect the tax residence of their clients. If the US were to abandon FATCA and implement CRS (not likely, I know), then financial institutions would not be required to use a separate system for American clients, and they would no longer be subject to the 30% FATCA withholding. Under those circumstances, FFIs would be much more welcoming to American clients. Furthermore, those Americans who qualify for RBT, would be tax-resident only in one country, and only reported to that country. Those who do not yet qualify would be tax-resident in two countries (one being the US) and their data would be reported to the US.
Same Country Exception (SCE): There are many legitimate reasons to hold bank accounts in countries other than where one is resident. In Europe, in particular, it is quite common to bank in another country. SCE does not make compliance any easier for FFIs – they must still keep track of their American account holders and treat them differently should they move across a border or back to the US. Under FATCA, the threat of 30% withholding is so draconian that many banks, especially European banks burned by the DOJ, are not willing to take any risks with US citizen account holders. What concrete evidence does ACA have that banks, especially in Europe, will be any more willing to deal with Americans under SCE?
For taxpayers who qualify for RBT and have received a Departure Certificate, why does the US need to know about their non-US bank accounts and investments? In this circumstance, non-US accounts do not generate income taxable in the US. Requiring FBAR reporting (and form 8938 for any accounts not required to be reported on FBAR) will be seen as a disadvantage to retaining US citizenship. Many NRA spouses and business partners object to joint accounts being reported to the IRS and/or FINCEN.
@Bubblebustin, re;
“I’ve heard homelanders say that our taxation pays to keep the lights on while we’re away.”
I see what a cunning metaphor that is — the false equivalence is compelling. Course if it was me and I was paying to ‘keep the lights on while we’re away’, I’d want some rent and and reimbursement from those using my ‘home’ while I’m ‘away’ FOREVER.
The US demanding that those across the entire world pay for the US to keep its lights on and pay to force others around the world to help enforce payments to the US – is like the US demanding that we pay or help to enforce a utility bill for someone else’s house on the other side of the globe – really more a demand for lifelong foreign aid not domestic taxation.
ACA have revised their RBT proposal. Details and links are available here: https://www.americansabroad.org/advancements-acas-residency-based-taxation-rbt-approach/
I’ve just read through the new proposal. I find it very confusing and contradictory in places – I’ll try to write up some more formal feedback soon.
As for my prior feedback – the only thing they’ve addressed is the FEIE – which would now be available for 5 years (which is the amount of time one has to live outside the US to qualify to pay for the privilege of applying RBT)
RBT isn’t really a difficult concept. Many countries seem to have no problem with all the abuses that the convoluted portions of this proposal are meant to discourage. I would be interested in hearing from others how their countries deal with taxpayers who move to other jurisdictions – and what provisions (if any) are in place to discourage abuse.
@Karen
https://www.gov.uk/tax-right-retire-abroad-return-to-uk
Thanks for that, Heidi.
For those who are interested, the rules for Australia are found here: https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/international-tax-for-individuals/going-overseas/when-you-leave-australia/
Karen: “RBT isn’t really a difficult concept. Many countries seem to have no problem with all the abuses that the convoluted portions of this proposal are meant to discourage. I would be interested in hearing from others how their countries deal with taxpayers who move to other jurisdictions – and what provisions (if any) are in place to discourage abuse.”
RBT isn’t a difficult concept for countries that don’t tie taxation to citizenship. It’s always going to be hard for the US to break that link. It might be a lot easier, if RBT became a policy goal, like territorial taxation for corporations, but that’s unlikely. Switching from CBT to RBT for all, in order to address the harm suffered under CBT by some citizens, would be difficult, because doing so would cause harm to other citizens. So RBT has to be optional.
Who would be harmed by switching to RBT from CBT?
Those who want FTCs, child tax credits, etc. Those who have retired or returned to a higher-tax country with mainly US-source pensions. Anyone who has done their financial planning assuming CBT rather than RBT.
“Those who want FTCs”
Countries with RBT generally give credits for taxes paid to countries where income was sourced.
“Those who have retired or returned to a higher-tax country with mainly US-source pensions.”
Those people are probably living in RBT countries that tax the difference between their ordinary tax rates and US tax rates. Or maybe in RBT countries whose tax treaties with the US provide for their countries to be the sole taxers, at their own rates.
“Anyone who has done their financial planning assuming CBT rather than RBT.”
Sounds like sour grapes. I have no retirement accounts because I used to be subject to CBT. I do not favour continuing to impose this damage on others.
“Sounds like sour grapes.”
Sour grapes from whom?
Who would be better off under CBT?
One example is someone who moves out of the US to retire on Social Security and US retirement savings. Some treaties treat this income as taxable only in the US. In any event, if this is your only income, most likely the tax in your host country will be less than 30% (25.5% for social security). Under CBT, a US citizen does not pay any withholding tax in the US on either social security or withdrawals from qualified plans. Their US tax could be quite low if this is their only source of income. Under RBT, the US will withhold 25.5% on social security payments to nonresidents, and 30% on distributions from IRAs/401(k)s/etc – absent treaty provisions to the contrary.
And, as plaxy notes, there are those who pay no US tax under CBT (due to FEIE or low income), yet get refundable credits such as the child credit. They would also be better off under CBT than RBT.
RBT does not necessarily mean residents nust be taxed on world wide assets or income. Myself, FTC credits would cease to have any meaning if I need not file with the US as I do not live there. Same with child tax credits. Why would these have any meaning if we need to pay or report to the US?
As far as I have read, most seemed to have done their financial planning not knowing CBT existed. Those who did know seem to have no pensions or large amounts saved out of fear of being double taxed upon them.
As I have so little income and no assets other than my next paycheck, I am admittedly lacking of knowledge of financial planning, but if they are returning to their home country, unless they are from Eritrea, then their country practices CBT and I wonder how they would be hurt by the US switching to CBT.
“Under RBT, the US will withhold 25.5% on social security payments to nonresidents, and 30% on distributions from IRAs/401(k)s/etc – absent treaty provisions to the contrary.”
Why is this automatic? If CBT were change to RBT, then why could this also be changed?
“And, as plaxy notes, there are those who pay no US tax under CBT (due to FEIE or low income), yet get refundable credits such as the child credit. They would also be better off under CBT than RBT.”
I earn below the FEIE and thus owe no tax on EARNED INCOME but would or might if receiving benefits provided by the Japanese taxpayer, of which I am one, or insurance payments or an inheiritance.
Who does one who does not pay anything receive a refund? I have never understood that. Why should the American taxpayer provide me with a benefit for my Japanese citizen children?
It’s programs such as these and the entitled mentality bred by them that has led to much of the problems we face.
Even still, with the manhours required to file tax and info returns and the threat of the huge fines for errors, these people too would be bettervoff not needing to rely on a far away gov. for aid of any kind.
@plaxy.
The avoidance of double taxation of US sourced pensions are at present mainly protected by international tax treaties. There is no reason to think this will change if RBT is adopted. TBT is another issue if the US claim the right to tax US sourced pensions without renegotiating present treaties.
“The avoidance of double taxation of US sourced pensions are at present mainly protected by international tax treaties. There is no reason to think this will change if RBT is adopted. ”
Yes, treaties could all be renegotiated to avoid double taxation. That’s no doubt what would happen, if the US chose for policy reasons to switch completely to RBT or TTFI.
@plaxy
One would hope that would happen, but these treaties took many years and many man hours to negotiate. I have NRA status in the eyes of the US (no longer a US citizen) I cannot see that my resident country would want to give up their right to tax me on my US pension, as I receive all services from them.. Without renegotiation I fear double taxation. RBT would not call for renegotiation, TBT would.
I know this happens, but what is the theory behind taxing a foreign pension? Taxes were paid, though often at a lower rate, on the money put into a pension when it was earned.
The treaties would probably need renegotiating at least in part, if the US decided to switch from CBT to RBT for policy reasons. Currently the US uses the saving clause to “encourage” US citizens living outside the US to invest in the US rather than elsewhere. Switching to RBT completely would necessitate changing the treaties to reflect the change in policy.
I’m not saying it couldn’t be done. I’m just saying it would inevitably be difficult, even if the US adopted RBT for policy reasons.
An elective change would be easier – though still not easy because of all the continued paperwork.
Other countries, where taxation has never been a “feature” of citizenship, don’t have these problems, or not in the same degree.
@JapanT
No tax is paid on pension contributions they are deferred until paid, theoretically at a lower tax rate once retired.
But deferred compensation items such as pensions are included in the net wealth calculation when expatriating and if total wealth is over 2,000,000 they are taxed at source at 4O%,(and again by your resident country,) otherwise they come soley under the tax treaty of your resident country.
“No tax is paid on pension contributions they are deferred until paid, theoretically at a lower tax rate once retired.”
On this point, why would or how would changing to RBT affect this?
“But deferred compensation items such as pensions are included in the net wealth calculation when expatriating and if total wealth is over 2,000,000 they are taxed at source at 4O%,(and again by your resident country,)”
Then, those covered by this have already paid this, correct? How does this change with a move to RBT?
plaxy –
I’m not sure that the treaties need to be re-negotiated to simply move to RBT. Sure, the saving clause says the US MAY tax citizens as if the treaty didn’t exist (except for specific provisions) – but that doesn’t mean the US MUST tax citizens as if the treaty didn’t exist. If US law is changed to say that certain (or better yet, all) non-resident citizens are not subject to US tax, I would think that would be sufficient.
@Karen,
That is what I am thinking. Not that my thoughts matter, just that you have stated my thoughts.
@ JapanT
A change to RBT would not affect this, but a change to territorial based taxation (the RO proposal) would, as tax would be charged at source (the US). and the treaty allowing your resident country to tax would be null and void.
Are we back to my question, who would be hurt be a change to RBT?