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
Thank you, Kathy. I’m looking forward to Vancouver’s, a week from today.
Are there any meetings in Edmonton Alberta?
@Kathy
I am so glad to hear that you got what you needed today! And it was a delight to meet you. I look forward to hearing how things transpire for you. And please, always feel welcome to contact me if I can be of help.
@Gerald
None are scheduled yet but stay tuned, please.
@Kathy K& @Gerald Nelson
Welcome to Isaac Brock Society. You will find so much information and lots of friends who care. This website is an encyclopedia of good information. Glad you boarded the Brock bus.. Together we will healp each other and spread the word to others about FATCA.
I am coming and make absolutely sure you have room for a radio talk show host that wants to come.
Why on Earth is there only room for 35. There may be hundreds coming. I offered to help pay for a hotel conference room
@ChearsBigEars
Where did you offer to pay for a hotel conference room in these discussions? I apologize if I missed it. As it is, about 10 people have confirmed for Vancouver and the session in Toronto gathered about 40 people today. I asked people to note here if they were interesting in coming so that we could set up an evening session if necessary.
I will be coming to the Vancouver session on Feb 22.
Looking forward to it.
@Trishia
Sorry to hear that you have been having problems finding a decent London venue. Sunday 2pm may be a particular problem because Sundays are the biggest day for pubs and churches, two of the places that are most likely to offer cheap space. Have you tried London universities, since they would have loads of rooms that are free on Sunday at 2pm? They are not free, but the prices offered on the venuemasters website, a non-profit organization that co-ordinates the rental of these room looked extremely good for London (day rates starting at £30).
@ChearsBigEars
A larger venue is being considered. Would you be willing to help find one in the Vancouver area if necessary?
As great as would be for spreading the word via a radio talk show host, please note as per above “How To Attend”: Neither taping nor video of any kind will be permitted, due to the fact that it might make some people very uncomfortable about speaking out, or remaining anonymous.
Any sessions planned in Edmonton or Calgary?
I’ve been in contact with our mystery sponsor and believed he was happy with my suggestion of a quiet pub off Regent Street near Oxford Circus Tube Station in London, where we’d be able to sit upstairs in their closed bar room (room for 30-40).
I’m looking forward to the London meetup!
Hello and thank you to everyone who is contributing their time to helping OMG’ers like me. 🙂
I was born in the U.S. to American parents who moved to Canada when I was three years old. I have lived in Canada more than 35 years. My father has since renounced his U.S. citizenship; my mother is a dual citizen. I have never voted in a U.S. election or filed a tax return with the IRS. I do hold a U.S. passport. I did apply for Canadian citizenship; it has been a year and could be another year – or longer – before I receive it.
I’ve been hearing about FATCA for awhile but wasn’t too concerned because I’m not a big earner and would be below the threshold for taxation (as I understand it). But it has recently come to my attention that I may be forced to pay retroactive penalties for not filing. Is this true? If so, where can I find more information about this?
I am becoming increasingly anxious the longer I have to wait for my Canadian passport, but as long as I have dual citizenship it’s starting to look like it won’t do much to protect me from the IRS. Apart from the cost and the hassle I don’t have any qualms with renouncing (I don’t need even more paperwork at tax time!) but of course I can’t do that until the government gets around to processing my citizenship.
In the meantime I have been advised by a friend NOT to file a return to the IRS for 2013 but to just lay low and wait things out. Is this good advice?
(I’m in Central Alberta.)
Please add 2 more to the numbers count for Vancouver on the 22nd. We plan to come over by ferry from Victoria. Administrator — OK to give my email address to Fifi and Geri for possible coordinating. I’ve been reading here for awhile, and appreciate this site and everyone’s excellent information!
Plan to attend London UK session on 2nd March.
Waiting for venue.
@UK71, see my comment further up about venue. If you’re already in contact with the organizer, he should confirm location by email.
@monalisa1776-great suggestion about the pub in central location…. looking FW to it immensely & meeting our new “taxpatriot” family 🙂
bubblebustin
Yes of course but at this late date wouldn’t it mess peoples travel plans up? Maybe near the airport? Might be more central? I only know the Richmond area. You can phone me tonight late if you wish, Petros has my number
I think I’ve found a place for 90 per hour on Oak st. Church sanctuary with side socializing room. Please phone tonight at 8 pst
@Crystal, it will be great to see you again too, plus I gather that many of the OMG’ers will be in need of a stiff drink(s!)…
The Boston Sons of Liberty held their meetings in the Green Dragon Tavern. Paul Revere was supposedly dispatched from there when he made his famous ride warning that FATCA is coming, FATCA is coming!
Meeting in a pub in London is wonderfully ironic. Let the Expat Revolution begin!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Dragon_Tavern
Bubblebustin and Chears — I hope not to add to any confusion over venue for Vancouver, but mention of a church facility reminded me of something at the Unitarian Church, Vancouver, some years ago. Their website says $50/hour for a large room, less for non-profit organizations; good parking; on W. 49th Avenue between Granville and Cambie, I think. Just a thought — I know time is short.
Re: Vancouver session.
*IF* there is a change of location, all I ask for is that there be consideration made for those who are taking public transit. I’m from Nanaimo so I’m partly at the mercy of BC Ferries (weather delays, cancellations, etc) then I have to bus and/or skytrain, then walk to the venue.
I have plans on leaving with plenty of time in hand, but one cancelled/delayed ferry can disrupt those plans quickly. So being reasonably close to a skytrain would be helpful.
@Wren, I have almost exactly the same situation as you. Non-resident since infancy. Slow down, don’t do anything in a hurry. Despite the sturm and drang, the only people thus far who have been seriously harmed by the IRS are those who have willfully placed themselves in the path of the IRS: by entering the “voluntary disclosure” programs or filing returns.
Until I see the USA start to actively pursue long-term non-resident non-filers, like us, I’m going to just do nothing. The price of doing something (risking actual entanglement with the IRS, putting myself on the radar) is too high, and the current risk level of for people like us is too low (even though the effect of silly USA laws is to tar all us innocents, the intent is truly to catch resident tax evaders). Wait and see. Stay out of the way. Get your citizenship in place. Keep all your assets in Canada. Keep living.
PYYJ. Finally. A voice of reason. I sincerely hope some of the people here who have been unnecessarily frightened into precipitate and foolish steps will pay close attention.
This post deserves wide exposure.