Tag Archives: Michael Kirsch

Me again. I’m really interested in this topic, and trying to find answers, so let me put out this question:

What arguments, points or questions have you used that Homelanders actually responded to?

Just like most of us here, I have tried all the arguments. I get their attention by naming the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. But the one point that almost always makes them stop and think, is the $10,000 non-willful FBAR penalty.

On just about every other point–Eritrea, double taxation, excessive fines, bank account closures, etc.–my Homelander buddies always have a retort, such as “Well, if you have nothing to hide…” or “Just use a US bank account…” But all take serious issue with the FBAR penalty. Sadly, that is not our core problem.

But maybe I’m just not wording my points right to them. If anyone has any debate “successes” to share, I’d like to hear them. Maybe then we can try to distill those arguments that do work into a workable short-n-simple platform.

Barbara raises an important question. How do we know what arguments Homelanders might respond to?  We need (I think) to understand what is going inside the head of a Homelander. Why would a Homelander  believe that those who live outside the United States should be subjected to U.S. taxation as though they live in the United States?

Therefore, the purpose of this post is to solicit your comments on the question of:

Why exactly do many (but NOT all) Homelanders believe that the U.S. should impose taxes on those who don’t live in the United States? What is their world view? What are the assumptions they are working with? Why do they believe that equality means that everybody should be subjected to the same rules?

There is often a difference between what people way and what their real motivation is

The question is NOT what they say. The question is why do they say what they say! In other words, what is their motivation? What is the “hidden issue” that they are not articulating?

Some possible suggestions …

– as citizens we all have an equal responsibility to support the U.S. government no matter where we live

– taxation is a punishment. Why should someone be able to escape punishment by leaving the country?

– what the f…? You think you are going to leave the USA and NOT pay any taxes? (In other words, I have the distinct impression that many Homelenaders don’t realize that Americans abroad pay higher taxes than they do, which is why you are generally better off with tax preparers in your country of residence)

My point is that:

In order to educate Homelanders and to address their arguments/responses we need to understand why they think/feel the way they do.

So, could you please comment on what is the motivation for Homelanders (those that do) to support the imposition of taxation on people who don’t live in the United States. Although, I am primarily interested in the thinking of “Everyday Homelanders”, you might find the following CBC Interview of Michael Kirsch interesting:

@CBCAllInADay interviews law Professor Michael Kirsch about his reasons for supporting taxation of #Americansabroad http://t.co/FcVL4QJIXa

— U.S. Citizen Abroad (@USCitizenAbroad) August 16, 2014

The interview referenced in the above tweet was the subject of a separate post on the Isaac Brock Society. See the comments as well.

Thanks very much.