ADMISSION FEE $20 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED (to cover costs)
- Toronto, ON U.S. Citizenship & Young Adults: Navigating The Special Rules Imposed On U.S.Citizens Abroad Sat, June 7, 10 am to 12 noon, Univ of Toronto, St. Michael’s College, Carr Hall, 100 St. Joseph St, MAP NB: $20 individual or $40 for a family of up to four people
Vancouver notes (Feb 22) Updated on March 28 here
Toronto group Saturday, January 25, 2014, Carr Hall
I received the following announcement about information sessions, provided by Toronto based lawyer, for people affected by the USA’s extra-territorial tax overreach which violates Canada’s sovereignty. I think it is a good idea. If you are an alleged US person and you have become aware that the US claims that you should be filing your taxes, please do nothing, do not enter the OVDI program, and above all, do not call a US cross border tax specialist (neither a lawyer nor an accountant), but educate yourself first. The paid experts will scare the hell out of you. There are many options besides allowing a cross border specialist lead you as a lamb to the slaughter.
If you are a Canadian citizen or resident of Canada, you have specific rights and protections that even FATCA cannot revoke. This is why these informational sessions will be useful to you. They will lay out and explore all your options.
Sincerely, Petros
Please note that the speaker would like help finding venues that are inexpensive or free. Perhaps those living in the various cities could ask if a Church or other may be able to offer space. Please keep returning for updates.
Here is the announcement:
Recent CBC Coverage of FATCA and Citizenship-based taxation:
The recent CBC coverage of FATCA and U.S. extraterritorial taxation has raised awareness/concern over the plight of Canadian citizens of U.S. origin. Those who are learning about this for the first time (the OMG moment) will be experiencing a combination of shock, fear, betrayal and more. There will be lots of people interested in understanding the situation and determining whether and/or how to respond.
The following comment appeared on the blog:
Looks like the recent media coverage is creating mass panic in Canada. This might force the Canadian government to issue a statement sooner rather than later. This is good. But I feel bad for the people who are just having their OMG moment. They need some sound advice as to not to make bad decisions which would devastate them financially. While each situation is different, the Canadian government owes it to affected Canadians to provide some guidance and advice and fast. It needs to be official cannot just come from web sites like IBS or Maple Sandbox. Maybe the administrators should add some notes like they can’t be held responsible for actions that people take by following advice on these blogs. This is common sense, but might protect you from lawsuits.
We agree! The important thing it to stay calm! Do NOT panic! Do not react to this situation! Take your time to make the decisions that are appropriate to your situation! Above all else, do NOT even consider entering the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program or any other kind of disclosure program unless you are certain that it is right for you (which it almost certainly is NOT)!
Obviously NO blog or web site can provide reliable legal advice. No seminar for the general public can provide reliable legal advice! Your job is simply to begin gathering information and beginning to understand the new reality of U.S. citizenship.
What follows are a list of “Solving The Problems of U.S. Citizenship” information sessions that you can attend, for a nominal fee and anonymously! The sessions are NOT intended to provide legal advice. But, they are intended to help you identify the issues that may apply to your situation.
Do NOT engage the services of an accountant or lawyer before equipping yourself with some basic knowledge!
Solving The Problems of U.S. Citizenship – Exploratory Sessions
The topics covered are designed to alert you to issues and are NOT offered as legal or accounting advice specific to your situation.
They include:
Citizenship Issues:
– Are you STILL a U.S. citizen?
– Are your children U.S. citizens?
– What might FATCA mean for me?
Tax Issues
– Filing U.S. tax returns – what’s involved?
– Filing information returns (FBAR, Form 3520, 5471, etc.)
– Reasonable cause (avoiding penalties)
Financial Planning Issues
– investment products that are cancerous for U.S. citizens
Does it make sense to renounce U.S. citizenship?
– Renouncing U.S. citizenship
____________________________________________________________________
How To Attend …
Once a session has been marked “CONFIRMED” you are free to attend. Each session will have a $20 admission fee (to offset the cost of the room) which is payable in cash at the door. Neither taping nor video of any kind will be permitted.
first published 14 January 2014
@Hannah,
It also looks like you qualify for relinquishment (back dated CLN) rather than renouncing. A better way to go to completely clear your name with the IRS — if giving up US citizenship is what you want to do. The hardest part is gathering all the information around your circumstance. The scariest part is first contact with the US Embassy/Consulate. Being ignorant is the worst defense, but being informed is the best offense…
Victoria/Vancouver Island folks… the closest info session to us will be Vancouver on Feb 22. How many folks from Victoria are interested in going?
Would like to meet Calgary 411
@depressed,
I’ve sent you an email and will be glad to talk or meet with you.
CLNs are the golden ticket, get em while theyre hot!
The Renunciation forms don’t require a SSN and one can deal with tax issues after receiving the CLN.
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/81606.pdf
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/81607.pdf
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/81609.pdf
The main priority is to get the CLN so you can prove you are not a US person and start to normalize your life.
@fifi – I’m an islander and plan to go.
@Geri and @fifi: Regarding the Vancouver meeting, bubblebustin is arranging the room and tomorrow or Tuesday she will post the location if she gets the room. I live in Vancouver but will be traveling that weekend — wish I could be there.
I’m an islander and I will be going
My wife and I will definitely set that date aside to be there. We need to know what’s going on and where to proceed from where we sit right now. Considering the IGA signed, we can’t afford not to figure out a plan of “how to proceed”. Frustrating as it is and as confusing as it is, we cannot sit here and do nothing while the FATCA train proceeds to try to steamroll Canadians and Permanent Residents.
Just wondering why the Montreal date was cancelled and seems to be shuffled to the backburner? I see dates popping up all over the place but not Montreal..yet its the second largest city in Canada. I doubt that any speaker would even need to be bilingual as the target audience surely would all speak english.
Hello all can anyone go to these? There are no locations near me but my parents could get to the Vancouver one possibly. Thank you all for your hard work on this. I so appreciate it.
Absolutely, Hannah!!! They are open to anyone. The more who have the good information they provide, the better for them and passing on the story of what FATCA plus citizenship-based taxation means to US Persons in Canada. Absolutely!
About the Feb 22 meeting in Vancouver, bubblebustin has the room arranged. Maybe tomorrow she will announce it. John Richardson the famous lawyer from Toronto will be there.
Hi Southern Islanders – Interested in carpooling over to Vancouver? I can drive or ride along.
If interested let the site admin know and we can be in touch by email.
cheers.
-Geri
@crazyworld,
Montreal remains as TBA because the other places have come up with something definite and we are busy with these. No one has come forward to help us arrange Montreal.
@crazyworld,
I’ve just been told there will be a meeting in March.
How about Montreal?
About the Feb 22 meeting in Toronto, John Richardson from Toronto will lead the discussion. He is quite the character:
http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2014/02/11/should-non-citizens-be-able-to-vote-in-2014-toronto-municipal-election-independent-nation-discusses-citizenship-with-brockers
In the last half of this video, things get dominated by FATCA. John pretended to have an OMG moment at 43:55 but he knows more than anybody else, even Petros. I wish I can be there but I will be traveling. Also I do not need his business anyway. CLN in hand, all backfiles done. In case the room is full, bubblebustin said a second session could be scheduled later in the day.
Feb 22 meeting is in Vancouver! Not Toronto. My daughter is going to grad school there so I get the two places confuse.
@Help
I’ve just posted that Montreal will be Sunday, March 16 – 1:00 – 4:00 pm, Venue TBA
Toronto ON, Sat Feb 15, 1-4 pm, 100 St. Joseph St….Is there more info as to room number ? When will we know when this has been confirmed? Thank you.
How about Calgary?
Anyone from Nanaimo or the mid island area attending the Vancouver session on Feb 22?
Any meeting in Halifax? What’s needed to arrange?
Halifax, or Maritimes?