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
@ Brockers…… I keep checking the site for the London UK venue on 2 march… looking FW to it.
@David
I’m sorry but I do not have the room number yet. There will be signs posted. And it will be here once I know what it is.
@Help & Blackcat
I don’t have any info on these.
It is helpful to have people in the local area suggest/research possible venues.
Will there be signs posted for the Vancouver meeting so that people can meet quickly and the meeting start not be dragged out because people can’t find the location. Tried to Google Map the address, it came up as a condo complex.
@The_Animal
I am sure bubblebustin will think of that. It is in a condo complex, in a special room available to residents there.
You’re correct, The Animal, it’s condo complex! Richards and Nelson (enter by rear of bldg). I see it’s you and your wife who will be attending. Also Geri, Fifi and Nanaimo from Vancouver Island, mettleman and Hannah’s parents from the lower mainland so far.
if there’s anyone else out there who will commit to coming, I would appreciate knowing as the room holds 35 and if we surpass that many, we may have to offer another session in the evening.
Also waiting for details on the London location! Any news yet?
@Expat in the UK
The venue (at present) is not what we would hope for. If anyone can help with finding a better room, would really appreciate it.
@Trishia
I just noticed there is an info session in North Bay. on March 22nd.
I would go to it but I will be in Toronto for the CCLU Privacy session. Darn!!
@northernstar,
I thought you would have been the organizer for North Bay! I guess you could make a choice?
@Trishia
I am committed to the symposium. I didn’t about the North Bay one This is the first I saw it.
but I think I can do some juggling and go and help with the Richmond Hill one
@bubblebustin
If you need a head count, my husband and I are coming from the Interior- 7-8 hr drive, unless the weather makes the passes unsafe. The MP Atamanenko-organized info meeting on Feb 11 in Castlegar had standing room only, probably 100-125 in banquet-type room in a hotel. Some people left (most were seniors), it was so crowded. I’ll keep checking here in case of changes for Vancouver.
Every day I’m grateful for IB. Thank you all for your incredible talents in getting info out.
@David
The room number for the Toronto meeting tomorrow is Room 403.
@northernstar
The meeting in North Bay is brand new information I received this morning. It will be great if you can help out in Richmond Hill!
@Trishia.
I will skip the CCLU symposium and try to catch it on the website.
Email me on the North Bay meeting and I can help with it. and also may be able to do Richmond Hill too.
@always something
Thank you for letting me know.
This quasi town hall meeting approach for helping fellow American expats during this difficult period is truly admirable.
Hat tip to all of you.
Americans living abroad may be condemned by the powers that be in the Homeland.
But for anyone with a sense of morality, Americans abroad should walk tall because truth and fairness is clearly on their side.
Like when Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus, Americans abroad must refuse to lay down beneath it.
Beautiful analogy, “FromTheWilderness”! Those of us unable to attend any of these meetings will be there in spirit, “taking our seats” *on* the bus rather than under it.
LOL! @MuzzledNoMore.
I like it too. Why is the Canadian government trying to throw us under the bus when we deserve to sit up front with every other Canadian? We have paid dearly for that seat, using our hard-earned Canadian dollars, and we will not be wheel fodder.
DAMMIT!!!! My wife took a shift on the Saturday. Just when she knew that we had to straighten out the freaking situation and figure out where the hell we’re going with this situation so that she can extricate herself out of US citizenship. Frustrated as hell.
Now it looks like I may not be able to attend after all.
I’m personally scared of exposing us to the IRS, but with the FATCA IGA signed by Canada, it’s either come out and disclose or risk non-compliancy and the debilitating fines that go along with being termed as wilful non-compliance. But then again, the IRS is considering levelling the boom against everyone as a wilful so I don’t know know how to proceed. That’s why I wanted to attend. However with three kids all under 13 years of age and one a toddler, I can’t very well get out to attend without a baby-sitter that we can’t afford (I’m it – I’m the babysitter) or otherwise I’d show up (solo).
As a Canadian citizen, I can tell the IRS to fuck off, but my wife as a permanent resident of Canada can’t, at least until she gets her citizenship application rolling.
Sorry you won’t likely make it The Animal – I was looking forward to meeting you. Maybe you’ll somehow get a babysitter.
Just home from the Toronto Feb 15 meeting. Thank you Trishia and John for organizing these sessions. It was a room full of people all with their own unique stories and hungry for information. The session was very helpful to me personally. I’ve decided on my next step and will comment back as events unfold in the hope that it may help someone else. Good luck to you all no matter what you choose to do.
@Kathy
Thank you for the update. I’m helping to organize the Vancouver one. How many would you say attended today’s?
I would guess it was around 30.