Media and Blog Articles – Part 1 of 11 (to 26 May 2015)
You can access all years at this link:
http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/media-and-blog-articles-links-for-all-years/
EmBee suggested that it would be good if there was a thread for new articles, so that people would be aware of where to comment. So, I created this permanent page. You could mention such articles in the comment stream for this page, or if I see one on another thread, I can copy the link to here. I’ll keep adding to the list, but not deleting, so we’ll end up having sort of a “bibliography” too. [Note: Some articles are not open for comments]
For more articles on FATCA, enter FATCA into Google then click on the link “more news for fatca” just below the most recent featured article.
Note also: JC suggests to see #FATCA on Twitter for latest breaking news. JC finds that is quite a good source and there even are some international articles that one may read using Google Translate.” Others may help certain tweets and articles remain in elevated position by retweeting them.
2015.05.26
New Survey finds US expat voting could impact 2016 Presidential Election, Greenback Expat Tax Services, NASDAQ GlobeNewswire.
This congressional committee wants to hear all your FOIA gripes, Colby Itkowitz, Washington Post, US.
The black money recovery skills of IT department are nothing to write home about, Vivek Kaul, The Daily Reckoning.
2015.05.25
The Intersection of US Federal Tax Law with Collection of International Information- – Including Other Federal Agencies, Patrick W. Martin, TaxExpatriaation, US.
2015.05.23
America the not so brave: America has led the global assault on tax dodgers and their enablers. But the reality still lags behind the rhetoric, The Economist, UK.
Cash Banned from Chase Safe Deposit Boxes, Matt Chilliak, Live and Invest News.
2015.05.22
US Steuergesetz hat unerwartete globale Konsequenzen, Colleen Graffy, Geopolitical Information Service. Also at Consequences of US widening net to catch tax dodgers, Colleen Graffy, World Review.
The horse may have bolted … but, Angelo Venardos, Asia Asset Management.
Important Correction: Passports Required to Enter and Leave US — but SSNs May be Optional, Patrick W. Martin, Tax Expatriation, US.
2015.05.21
Americans working abroad face unexpected financial issues, Sarah O’Brien, NBC, US.
Senate tax reform groups get more time, Bernie Becker, The Hill, US.
2015.05.20
Malaysia will defer FATCA reporting, FSI Tax Posts.
America’s Self-Inflicted Wound, Moises Naim, The Atlantic, US.
Janice Mays: The Tax Guru Who Guides House Democrats, Alex Brown, National Journal, US.
Sen. Rand Paul Launches Filibuster in Protest of Patriot Act Renewal, C-SPAN, US.
@FromTheWilderness
Thanks
Yes there has been some good chit-chat with Mr Wood. He is a cunning bunny though. Sometimes I think he is leaning towards our side and then I want to stick needles in his eyes. At least dear Mr Hunter and his ilk have not shown up there YET!
@Charl, bite your tongue! If you want to get annoyed here is a comment I just got from TheAmerican at GT’s blog:
“At #123: WhiteKat… GEEEEEEEZUUUUUUS. Get over it already. You’re a grown man, and from the sound of it, you’re an older grown man. So you were born in the U.S. and have this headache of dual citizenship. RENOUNCE it already and get over it. And I don’t want to hear this lame-ass excuse I ALWAYS hear from Canadians of how *hard* it is to renounce it. B.S. It take 20 minutes of your time, $0 to do it, and its DONE. Otherwise, quit your bitching about having dual citizenship. Obviously, you’re gaining something from it, or you wouldn’t continue to have it. So, pay the tax, or drop it. It really IS just that simple”
TheAmerican is so stupid, he cannot even get my sex right.
@WhiteKat
How do I get there? Is there a link in previous comments? I like it when we can double/triple team these flipping lunatics. I still think the one I got re…”scream like you like it slave” is the winner for exposing the assholedness (new word) of some homelanders. How can one country have sooooo many idiots? It seems the law of averages would sort this out, but nope, their tilting.
@Charl, Wow, I never saw the ‘scream like you like it slave’ comment, where was that?
As for GT, just google garth turner and you will find his blog. The most recent comment from TheAmerican is in the post from yesterday (2nd most recent post). I replied back to him in today’s post with a reference back to yesterday’s post. Comments appear sequentially and cannot be nested, that is why people usually comment by prefacing with the persons name who they are responding to and the number of the comment (all comments are numbered), and the post if it is a prior post.
@Charl, it is fun to tag team these idiots. I must say I get a sick sort of satisfaction out of making these assholes look dumb. And I think the readers enjoy watching the show, while they actually learn something about FATCA and CBT at the same time….bonus!
@WhiteKat
Ya, me too. I feel emboldened when I’m with me pals!
The slave comment was from the April Washington Post article featuring Carol and her husband. There were only three comments and this was one of them.
wapo.st/1fEgJyv
If you and all Brockers could nip over to Forbes: (http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2014/05/03/americans-are-renouncing-citizenship-at-record-pace-and-many-arent-even-counted/ ) go to page 4 with comments expanded and respond to Mr. Wood bringing up AGAIN the idea of the US getting involved in our challenge I would much appreciate it. This REALLY pisses me off. I think he is trying to scare us in his obtuse passive aggressive way.
Charl,
I’ve just made your discussion with Mr. Forbes part of a new post: http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2014/05/04/brockers-comment-at-forbes-even-the-canadian-challenge-is-discussed/
Believe me, WhiteKat, I got lots of similar comments directed at me in the Yahoo.com of Adam Geller’s article. The ignorance is staggering and soul sucking.
I just wish I didn’t get so angry and would think through my responses more rationally. After I post I NEED to edit. Wish I could run them by you smart ones here first, even just to clean up my vocab, especially when we get a chance to comment in a main stream article. (Have you noticed that when you are actually pounding on the keyboard you should NEVER hit send? Ya, I have to relearn that one every day.)
I just don’t know where Mr. Wood stands. He has brought up the US getting involved in our charter before. I do think he is trying to scare us in his patronizing way. That one sticks in my craw even more than the idiot slave dude.
From the Wilderness:
thanks for sharing the Robert Wood articles. However, there is an inaccuracy; in his article he states that:
What is often called consular expatriations, where people don’t file exit tax forms with the IRS, are apparently not counted. Indeed, the Treasury Department’s published list states explicitly this is just those about whom the Secretary of the Treasury has data.
I dont know about “counting” but in terms of LISTING, both my children (born in Canada so definitely were not required to file RE exit tax) have been listed (about 1 year after their renunciation) whereas hubby (who was born in USA so had to file RE exit tax) has NOT been listed after 18 months.
Woods other articles are also very interesting; thanks for sharing
@LM
I guess I won’t be getting on the list. I got my CLN last week in the mail. It is backdated to February 1993. According to the US rules I relinquished when I became a Canadian citizen then. I am lucky. I did not pay the $450 renouncement fee nor file any FBARS or US tax returns. But to point out to all , I DID file US taxes up to and including 1993. I probably found out about filing requiremment when I registered my kids at the US consulate. I know that was dumb but who knew what was coming. I never had a US passport. I went in July 2013 to formally request my CLN. It took over 9 months….(my CLN baby). I am framing. I am a Free Bird!
Just a FYI, I filed US taxes for both myself and late husband. We never earned enough combined for one single person exemption. It was a pain in the neck converting Canadian dollars to US dollars. IRS was so competent then that in the 1980s we were sent a $2000 refund cheque for US income tax return that year when we had not worked in the USA since 1969. I sent it back registered after calling them. I never got a reply they received it but I did send it requiring a signature received.
LM, are you referring to your children not having to file the 8854 — or that they would NEVER have to file regarding the “Exit Tax” unless they did not file the 8854, which they won’t (thank goodness)? My daughter also born dual was listed on the ‘Name and Shame’ document (not this go-round, a couple reports ago). For others reading, regulation says 8854 should be filed for children born dual (unless for some reason decided not to do so). http://hodgen.com/chapter-4-are-you-a-covered-expatriate/ says:
@Calgary411; they probably did file their 8854 (they are fully grownup and do not live nearby so they did this without our oversight) but would never have been subject to an exit tax because they were born in Canada, dual since birth.
@Charl
I don’t think your comments need improving on, they’re great!
I guess us freedom fighters really piss off some of GT’s followers, particularly the ones with more ‘American blood’ than Canadian.
http://www.greaterfool.ca/2014/05/04/the-sure-thing-11/comment-page-3/#comment-301576
BradinVan writes:
WhiteKat and Pastbeyone60 you both have fallen off the cliff of reality. WhiteKat with all due respect you do come across as a whiner and a person who buys into a lot of conspiracies. So I have to agree with The American on this one. The American has a point that you derail a lot of the discussion based on your personal problems having dual citizenship and it is not the first time you post about it. I did not realize our nationalistic sense of importance until moving back to Canada four years ago. I have posted before of our family’s quality of life in the US having been superior to here and it riled a buch of my fellow countrymen to call me a traitor. How pathetic is that? Pastbeyond60 I do not see your point about the American Revolution. How are the Americans trying to take their share from the world? The account for nearly a quarter of the global GDP. The world economy wouldn’t exist as we know it without the Americans. As I have always said it is time to show a little appreciation. I have lived in the US and they are the best neighbors we’ve ever had (lived in two other countries too). Americans get beat up day in and day out for no reason other than inferiority complexes that show through from other countries who ultimately move in the direction of the US. If you review Canadian economic policy, for the most part Canada has always put up a fight as to why the Americans are wrong but ultimately our policy moves in their direction. So either we have no balls at all or we basically fight as contrarians so we can prove we are different.
http://www.greaterfool.ca/2014/05/04/the-sure-thing-11/comment-page-3/#comment-301576
For those who may be interested, BradinVan’s comment is #118
@Em, Did you know that ‘Foreign Attack To Control All’, is just a conspiracy theory? Must be, BradInVan says as much. USA is our friend and we should be more appreciative he says.
I guess, FATCA really stands for ‘Friends Always Take Canadians’ Assets’
@ WhiteKat
“Friends Always Take Canadians’ Assets”? No, I would say “Fiends Always Take Canadians’ Assets”. BradinVan has been blinded by the light of American exceptionalism so obviously he can’t see anyone else’s point of view. BTW, if the world as it exists today (derivative debt of a quadrillion dollars and on the brink of WW3) was Made in the USA then we have all paid a heavy price for that and it’s time we demanded a refund.
This should get your attention:
“Based on these numbers, being an American living in a foreign country is a leading cause of criminality. What the statistics do not tell is which comes first? A person tends toward criminality and thus moves to a foreign country or a person moves to a foreign country and then tends toward criminality? Enough facetiousness…”
In all fairness, the author is looking for answers to some very valid questions. Maybe we can help.
https://taxconnections.com/taxblog/how-much-is-actually-lost-each-year-to-offshore-noncompliance/#.U2e_Uie9KSN
Shot them dead at GT’s blog today….what fun! Thanks Charl and Calgary for the backup.
More excerpts from the continuing battle include:
WhiteKat says:
@BradInVan, and TheAmerican,
How’s this for conspiracy theories, and whining about personal issues:
“NDP MPs Murray Rankin and Nathan Cullen speak to reporters in Ottawa on Monday, May 5, 2014, to outline concerns about the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. iPolitics/ Matthew Usherwood. With the concerns of constituents filling up their inboxes and voicemail, on Monday the NDP repeated their demand that the Conservatives remove a recently-signed tax agreement with the United States from the omnibus budget bill. ”
http://www.ipolitics.ca/2014/05/05/get-fatca-out-of-the-budget-bill-ndp-urges/
Opinated says:
WhiteKat
I see you have a lot to vent. Hostility againts those who disagree with your whinnig. A lot to hide. A victim attitude. A denial approah to your issues. I could sympathize but it is now rather becoming annoying. I amsure you know better places ( blogs) where to vent your personal issues. Thanks
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Unfortunately for Opinated (I think he means OPINIONATED), my comment about today’s news report, did not come out of moderation until he posted the above comment.
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WhiteKat says:
@152 Opinionated,
Did you see my comment #150?
Do you think all the emails and phonecalls that the NDP MPs have been bombarded with of late are from whiners too?
Is that why they had that press conference today – to talk about how there are so many Canadians with a “victim attitude” and “in denial”?
Might the government soon be announcing free mental health care for us all? – whoohoo!
My brain is sore. Any suggestion on how to respond to this inquisitive comment from Andrew Woburn at GT’s blog:
” Reading about FATCA,I feel like I am missing something. There has to be more than meets the eye. It reminds me of the long gun registry which seriously inconvenienced law abiding citizens without doing anything about gun crime.
Americans who hide cash offshore actually, well you know, hide. They don’t walk into the RBC in the Cayman Islands and pull out a roll of bills and their Texas driver’s licence. How is FATCA going to help TNL@TB spot a professional money launderer if she can’t do it now? If you are somehow receiving illicit US source income directly into a tax haven, you have already been subject to 30% withholding anyway. Is FATCA going to make you come out with your hands up? How many senators will it catch?
I get the theory that FATCA is a financial gun to the head of other countries but you only get to fire it once. After that people rearrange their affairs to protect themselves. So where’s the win for Washington? Sure you net up a few hapless grannies and used car salesmen initially but the big fish stay on the bottom. Gradually a cottage industry develops to rent smokescreens to the gutsier small time evaders and we are back where we started except the US government looks like even more of an arrogant bully than before. Nice one, Obama.
“
@WhiteKat
I took a stab at it…still in moderation
@ WhiteKat
Got a chance to read a few of those comments at GT. Makes me wonder what happened to some people’s empathy. Maybe it’s been medicated right out them. However it was good to see that someone hid his meds and flushed them when the minder wasn’t looking.
Derek R wrote:
“Ignore the naysayers, WhiteKat. FATCA is an important issue for many unfortunate Canadians. I am very glad that I do not have to worry about getting taxed by the IRS because of an “accident of birth” but I sympathise with those who do and I think that it’s important that you spread the word so that people who are badly affected know something about it.
Please carry on.”
I’m too tired to enter the fray (concentrated on e-mails to NDPers today) but you, Charl and Calgary411 did well. Andrew Woburn’s comment is interesting but FATCA isn’t about catching tax cheats, is it. We know it’s really about control. Hope you are resting that sore brain so it’s ready for whatever happens tomorrow. Today was a busy one with Blaze’s FINA invitation, the NDP press conference and a US superlawyer taking on FATCA.
http://p.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/may/5/superlawyer-jim-bopp-takes-on-mccain-backed-tax-ac/
That Washington Times article from OhNo is a good item for above the fold on IBS, its also a good item to send to all MPs.