Yearly Archives: 2012
Watchdog slams IRS for alienating expats, Barrie McKenna
Some of the readers of Barrie McKenna’s new article, Watchdog slams IRS for alienating expats, are still unhappy. But I thanked Mr. McKenna for telling this very important side of the story:
Why Hiding is No Longer a Viable Option
nobledreamer posted a very nice link to another site that showed the results of a recent poll. Over 56% of U.S. citizens, when asked what they were going to do in response to the 2012 Diaspora Tax Wars, replied, “Nothing, how will they find me?” That is pretty consistent with my informal queries to my friends and family in my host country. My answer to this is, “Oh, my fellow Americans, let me count the ways.”
Roger Conklin writes about why he left Brazil in 1977
We are most honored to have Roger Conklin as a reader and frequent commenter at the Isaac Brock Society. Today, he kindly commented on my post, A second response to Barrie McKenna.
See also:
Roger Conklin’s testimony before the Ways and Means Committee
U.S. citizenship-based taxation harms U.S. economy
A Saudi lawyer advises Obama to end citizenship-based taxation
Washington Post: You FATCATS have no place to hide from FATCA
Just Me has a fine rebuttal to this Washington Post hit piece aimed at Americans living abroad. Add Al Kamen to the Isaac Brock Hall of Shame.
ANYONE in New Zealand: The US can have you EXTRADITED!
This is almost becoming a joke. I doubt the US taxpayer is even aware of this. Today the site owner of Megaupload.com was arrested in New Zealand and will be extradited to America. The charges: facilitating copyright violations.
Should Mitt Romney release his FBARs along with his tax returns?
Check this out. U.S. citizens living in Canada are required to disclose their RRSPs on an FBAR. I assume that a U.S. citizen living in the United States would have to file an FBAR disclosing any “offshore IRA”. This is a rather interesting article. Assuming you believe that Mr. Romney should disclose his tax returns, shouldn’t he have an obligation to disclose any FBARs?
https://twitter.com/#!/renounceus/status/160082767982493696
Keystone Aftermath Arrives: Canada Pledges To Sell Oil To Asia, As US Becomes Source Of "Uncertainty" Zero Hedge
Zerohedge reports that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has indicated to the United States, “Canada will continue to work to diversify its energy exports.”
Focus
A friend of mine runs a wonderful mailing list called “Citation du jour” (Quotation of the day). He gathers good quotations from French and English-speaking sources, translates them and sends them out once a day to anyone who is interested. Today’s quotation was:
“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”
People Aren't Listening – Remember this Poll?
I was looking at usxcanada’s site and came across this:
In more than 4 out of 5 of 3233 responses (as of 14 Jan 2012) to a Globe and Mail online poll, individual U.S. citizens in Canada indicate either uncertainty or an intention to do nothing in the belief that they can remain undiscovered by U.S. authorities. — G&M Poll
- I applied for the limited-time amnesty 9% /279 votes
- I am still working out a plan with a financial professional 10% /329 votes
- I am not sure what my options are 26% /827 votes
- Nothing, how will they find me? 56% /1798 votes
It is hard to believe this is as of last Saturday. There doesn’t seem to be an easy way to get this message across. I shudder to think that the worst is yet to come. Any thoughts about this?