I’m noticing two points coming up frequently on a variety of threads and a few other people have mentioned it to me (some of us, including me, are very strong supporters of these two points).
In short, these 2 points, except in replying to questions on Brock, are generally more useful when commenting in Mainstream Media or basically anywhere that isn’t Brock. The points are:
(1) Advising people that non-compliance may be a viable option; and
(2) Some aspects of CBT/FATCA are not as frightening as they first seem.
On Brock, however,
(1) It’s pretty obvious at Brock that “non-compliance is an option and here’s why” and, at the least, it’s very obvious at Brock that “You gotta slow down, it’s not that bad, and do not do anything til you know what you’re doing.”
(2) Allaying fears and making sure people know all options are two core principles of Brock. As non-compliance is rarely covered in mainstream media, Brock’s informational posts and materials stress it, so it’s easy to find or stumble into.
(3) A newbie will quickly learn these 2 points on the more “practical” threads. Which is where people panicked with a practical CBT problem generally go to first.
(4) As people solve their own problems, they get more interested in broader (“thoughts and ideas”) posts. They get bored reading the same thing after a while.
(5) These 2 points are definitely very appropriate and a very efficient use of the commenter’s time, when brought up in reply to questions on Brock.
In short,
(1) These points tend to make medium- and long-term participants (generally those who are over the immediate panic stage) kind of bored. And it seems to keep discussion of the narrower topic of the post itself from developing. An author often writes a post on a specific CBT/FATCA topic as a tool for us to develop new thoughts on a certain aspect of CBT/FATCA.
(2) These two points, their message is loud and clear on Brock. Don’t stop mentioning them, but do it judiciously.
(3) Options and allaying fears definitely need much more publicity outside of Brock. Such comments are extremely beneficial there. [Tip: Don’t go “overboard” in allaying fears in Mainstream Media comments. We don’t want policy-makers thinking it’s a trivial matter or that it’s a piece of cake to “fake” citizenship or avoid FATCA. Not everyone can and things must change.]
Thanks for this, Pacifica.
For those who like to pound the non-compliance drum – just about any music is nice until it becomes too loud or repetitious.
Great points. Furthermore, non-compliance with CBT does nothing to stop the government confiscating and transferring our private data without our knowledge or consent. As long as FATCA is in place in its present form, your data rights are being breached whether you decide to comply or not. FATCA is theft of your data. In Europe, the courts have ruled that data has a demonstrable value in and of itself, and being robbed of your data is the same in law as being robbed of your money.
Right. Non-compliance does not make CBT or FATCA victimless.
I have a friend who lost out on what was possibly the opportunity of a lifetime purely because of US citizenship and the ball and chain that is CBT, FATCA, and the risks brought with it as demonstrated by section 965 and GILTI.
She’s totally non-compliant but the risk of what might happen in the future meant partners in the business were not prepared to risk it when warned by the accountant.
She and her family lost out big time.
I have sympathy with her business partners though, particularly as I recently read this comment on another forum from a homeland American……”If FATCA (and the threats within) can force the whole world to comply with this, what else can it do?”
Precisely, this crosses my mind as well.
I note certain US politicians are on the “eat the rich” bandwagon again and we all know where they hang out to avoid paying their fair share, don’t we? Perhaps we need to strengthen FATCA and perhaps a few more draconian penalties for these greasy bastards hiding abroad, that always goes down well with the home landers, a real vote winner.
“Options and allaying fears definitely need much more publicity outside of Brock. Such comments are extremely beneficial there.”
2.9 million views on Quora alone and as far as I can tell, a distinct lack of Brockers to be seen when the question “why do I have to pay taxes to the US when I do not live there” pops up and some slimy tax compliance condor answers with – and get this….I am a tax professional, you do not have a problem”.
Or “it’s no problem, you don’t pay taxes on the first $105,900” followed by the usual embassy protection argument (protection racket) bollocks and all the rest we have all seen so many times.
Brock is a handy resource to point people to if they need specific help and advice, but it does not get the word out and explain to the general public that something has gone horribly wrong with “the land of the free”.
@ Mike,
Thanks for your thoughts. Regarding getting the word out, Brock is such a loose community that our projects are generally spontaneous; someone posts that they want to do something and people join up.
In the context of projects, I’d say IMO Brock’s mission is basically to provide a “meeting place” for people who want to do a project on a certain front of the FATCA/CBT fight.
Looking around the net, I tend to think Brock’s niche in the FATCA/CBT fight as providing a place where a variety of people — affected in different jurisdictions and in different ways — can meet to organise specific projects, as well as share info and experiences unique to them (here on Brock or, for example, coming to Brock, but then starting a more-focused site,as Karen did with “Fix the Australia Tax Treaty”).
So, if you (or anyone) would like to coordinate a group (as loose or structured as you please) to focus on getting the word out on certain sites (or anywhere), that’s great! You could post a comment on Brock for people to contact you. A Brock moderator would only be involved as needed, generally for initial e-mail contact between people, as we need permission to divulge an e-mail address. And Brock welcomes updates from Brockers doing things, as individuals or groups. Sometimes a person posts a report; sometimes a “lurker” (they can be surprisingly active off-line) asks us to post for them. A mod might get involved in a project due to personal interest, of course, but not in an “official” capacity — officially, we mainly help people get together. But though we don’t usually get involved, we’re always happy to help, if requested, in terms of general tips we’ve picked up over the years here.
Reddit would benefit from answers from Brockers, particularly on a few subreddits such as r/tax, r/irs, r/expatfinance, and r/usexpattaxes. Right now these get several panicked posts from “accidental Americans” or other US citizens living outside the US every week, and the replies are generally uninformed or advise going through tax compliance procedures that could leave the person asking for help much worse off.