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@ Proud Canadian
I became Canadian for the same reasons you di. Like you, I thought long and hard about it before I took that step. At the time I became a Canadian (1972) there was a renunciatory oath that one had to swear. My late husband knew this and insisted I be very, very sure that it was what I wanted to do. But like you, I felt such a big part of Canadian society; my family was growing up here; I needed to be able to vote in order to contribute wholly in Canadian life.
Like you, I now find that because the US may still consider me an American, I might have to go through a formal process of ‘relinquishment’. Like you my feelings about my former country have changed. I liken it in many ways to a grieving process and I am at the ‘anger’ stage. I feel so angry that my former country is causing me to have these horrendous feelings.
@Canadianpat & Chester12,
I’ve split the links on my blog to separate comment letters from actual IRS regulations. It’s been difficult to find anything on the IRS site itself regarding their response to all of those comment letters, but I’ll keep looking.
Well, I’m finally out…or nearly so anyway. I renounced today in Halifax and will now wait impatiently for the best part of a year for my CLN. I’m free!!!
@Bruce,
Congratulation!!
Hurray!!
Freedom has arrived!
@Bruce Newman
Congratulatons. Did they give you any idea of how long you might have to wait for the CLN. You said that you had ‘renounced’. Does this mean that you are already compliant with any tax or FBAR obligations, or do you do that going forward?
That’s great, Bruce Newman.
We are compiling a database to track differences among Consulates and would like to include your information if you’ll let us (statistics only, no names) http://isaacbrocksociety.com/2012/03/14/draft-pdf-compilation-of-relinquishment-and-renunciation-data-as-reported-on-isaac-brock/ If you are OK with this, please let me know the following:
When was your first contact with the Halifax consulate and time wait until first appointment?
I see you are renouncing (vs relinquishing). Were you able to do that with one appointment only vs two appointments at some Consulates?
Did you come away with any copy of what you had signed for your renunciation?
Was it indicated how long you would have to wait for your CLN?
Again, congratulations!!
@tiger. I’m up to date on taxes and FBARs after being shocked out of my mind last August. I tried to relinquish but had to renounce, along with the $450 fee. I’ve kept good notes and will post all the details of the entire process when I can. Until then…I’M FREE!
@tiger. I’m up to date on taxes and FBARs after being shocked out of my mind last August. I tried to relinquish but had to renounce, along with the $450 fee. I’ve kept good notes and will post all the details of the entire process when I can. Until then…I’M FREE!
I forgot to mention that I was told that a CLN will take nearly a year. Today, I was told that because of the increase in US citizens expatriating, they “have made some changes” and it should be somewhat faster, whatever that means.
@calgary411. I’d be happy to post that info but can’t get at it until tomorrow night. Actually, I was going to post details of the whole process for anyone interested.
Thanks for the information you’ve given so far and I’ll update the database with your statistics when you have them. Thanks once again!!
@Bruce.
In my view, it is a positive thing that people at the Halifax Consulate have offered information that more US citizens are expatriating — and that ‘they have made some changes’. I think one of the changes might be that some Consulates are requiring just one appointment, when it makes sense, instead of staying with prior absurdity of sending us away to think about it then having us come back for the second appointment at which time we could actually renounce.
Maybe they’ll set up drive thru lanes for people who are expatriating 🙂
@omg
I love your sense of humour. Drive through lanes, yeah!!!
Hi,
It would be nice if posting to the blog was not at the bottom of the page way down here.
I have been documenting my experience as a US citizen who has returned to Canada.
I just finished a writeup on preparing my US taxes with all of the ugly details. http://onecheesecakelater.blogspot.ca/2012/03/synopsis-of-my-us-tax-return.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+OneCheesecakeLater+(One+Cheesecake+Later)
I also did a writeup on preparing my Canadian taxes.
http://onecheesecakelater.blogspot.ca/2012/03/synopsis-of-my-canadian-tax-return.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+OneCheesecakeLater+(One+Cheesecake+Later)
I hope you can add this to your steam. It really is a hinderance to quality of life.
Sincerely,
Lori
P.S. I am in Calgary and looking for a job. I am a CPA well versed in tax complexity.
lori.cantafio@gmail.com
Hi. Could I please have the ability to start a new thread? Thanks in advance.
I am i a bit of a rush, But someone should post this>
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/2/biden-tax-the-world/
Insanely scary objectives from VP Biden.
does anyone have an experience that the us govt felt renuciation was for tax purposes and banned entry to the USA? I spoke with a lawyer in calgary who said that he had seen a few cases, but not sure if it is a common thing? After the first meeting, what usually happens in the second meeting? is there always a second meeting?
Thanks!
@mike: Try asking that question on this thread:
http://isaacbrocksociety.com/2012/01/13/ask-your-questions-about-renunciation-and-relinquishment-of-united-states-citizenship-discussion-thread/
Hi, Mike. Calgary seems to be doing it in one meeting. Check out the boxes at the top of the main page for the link to renunciation statistics/timeline, arranged by consulate, and also for the link to consulate visit reports, arranged by consulate, where people have written about their renunciation meetings.
Is the Isaac Brock Forum still extant? I can log on, but every thread requires another password.
I am positing that Canada’s plan to shut four U.S. consulates and seven trade offices could be construed as a barometer of current U.S./Canada relations:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/04/27/pol-consulates-cutbacks.html
I understand that Canada is attempting budget cuts, but this kind of action speaks volumes about our attitude toward our largest (formerly largest? soon-to-be-crushed-by-Asia?) trading partner and their policies.
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/112/senate/2/votes/48/
s 1813 rollcall–50 democrats yes, zero no. Half of the republicans voted yes.
S 1813 “Transportation Act” revokes the passport and denies entry for anyone owing 50,000 in taxes. Is this also targeting US residents hiding their money in foreign bank accounts? (no, this targets US citizens living in Canada, Sweden, New Zealand and all of those other abusive tax havens).
Passed by Senate, ready for vote by House of Reps.
I would also like to join to occasionally post. I’m one of the many expat Americans who’s getting hurt by the draconian US expat laws. You can understand my point of view by reading my latest post at http://www.overseas-exile.com/2012/05/american-expats-pay-tribute-to-america.html
Thank you for everything you’re doing to help US expats.
@Ovid, I’m positive by now you know who I am in another virtual world. I enjoy your sarcasm (being sarcastic myself), indignation and clever comments. And although we don’t know each other at all really, I think of you as a true rebel! I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
I’m a US citizen and I live in the US, but I am outraged by what this country is doing to its own citizens who live abroad. Thank you for telling your stories and exposing this horrible mess. I completely support your quest for repealing citizenship-based taxation, FATCA and the like. I may have to move to another country for personal reasons someday and I don’t want to be trapped like many of you are right now. As I live in the US, I have the ability to contact my representatives, while most of you cannot, so I feel almost obligated to help my fellow citizens this way. I’m writing a letter to send to my representatives and candidates about all this, and I’d like to join this blog to post about any responses that I receive. You can consider me as your friend back in the US.