Presenter for this session: John Richardson, Citizenshipsolutions.ca
($20 to offset costs – payable at the door)
CALGARY, AB – Saturday, APRIL 19, 2014, 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
http://www.kensingtonlegion.ca/ (free parking /Legion restaurant will be open)
Map: North Calgary Kensington Royal Canadian Legion No. 264, 1910 Kensington Road NW, Calgary, AB
This session comes with the “No one But Someone Who Is Going Through This Can Really Understand” element. John Richardson, like us who need information and SUPPORT, is a US Person in Canada.
A lot of grass-roots volunteerism by generous persons committed to this goes into these sessions. We don’t offer polish; we do offer information and support to help you come to the right decision for you and your family.
(John will be leaving for the airport right after the session as he will present at the Edmonton Information Session, Sunday, April 20, 2014, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
I hope to meet MANY Calgary and Southern Alberta persons on April 19th — this is your Alberta opportunity to attend ours in the series of Canadian and European information sessions.
Competition…by Moodys tax seeing an money making opportunity ??
http://www.moodysgartner.com/yyc-and-yeg-seminars-considering-renouncing-your-us-citizenship-now-may-be-the-time-to-get-out/
Complimentary seminars presented by: Roy A Berg JD, LLM (US TAX) and Alexander Marino JD, LLM (US TAX). Please select the location you would like to attend.
Calgary
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2014
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: 715 – 5 Avenue SW, Calgary (Ground Floor Conference Centre)
For Calgary residents, this little song might stir some memories. Just listened to it on This America Life yesterday as I was painting….
This is an hour podcast, and very interesting… BUT…you don’t have to listen to it all. What I want you to hear, is in the first 5 minutes of the prologue…
No Place Like Home
Thanks, Just Me!!!
So funny — over 100 versions! But, Calgary is best home town I know. Not many “native Calgarians” here — bet lots of US Persons lying low. We need them to come to the info session. Could you, a tweeter, Just Me, tweet to our mayor: @nenshi
Mayor of Calgary, working every day to make this place even better.
Calgary, Alberta · calgarymayor.ca
Edmonton has a great mayor as well: @doniveson
Mayor of the @CityofEdmonton, serving with #yegcc (Edmonton City Council). Dad. Pedestrian. Struggling gardener. http://www.doniveson.ca for the Edmonton Information Session.
Edmonton, AB, Canada · edmonton.ca/mayor
That’s hilarious. Thanks for that, Just Me. 🙂 My home TOWN is in Manitoba but my home CITY is Calgary.
…I’ve attened. Moodys will give a good information session, along with cookies and various soft drinks / water and provide a great thick business document for you.
The info session at the Kensington Legion will not be so polished and, yes, there will be a fee to help with the costs of the facility and part to John Richardson who is travelling to do these on his own dime. Included in John Richardson’s info session will be information for participants to consider to make their own decisions (things are different for all of us — for part of your drudge work in research to come to the best decisions for ourselves and our families). Attend both — expect people who understand and support you at the Kensington Legion info session on April 19th.
Look who is complaining.
http://www.reuters.com/assets/print?aid=USBREA331W820140404
U.S. knocks plans for European communication network
Fri, Apr 4 2014
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Friday criticized proposals to build a European communication network to avoid emails and other data passing through the United States, warning that such rules could breach international trade laws.
In its annual review of telecommunications trade barriers, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative said impediments to cross-border data flows were a serious and growing concern.
It was closely watching new laws in Turkey that led to the blocking of websites and restrictions on personal data, as well as calls in Europe for a local communications network following revelations last year about U.S. digital eavesdropping and surveillance.
“Recent proposals from countries within the European Union to create a Europe-only electronic network (dubbed a ‘Schengen cloud’ by advocates) or to create national-only electronic networks could potentially lead to effective exclusion or discrimination against foreign service suppliers that are directly offering network services, or dependent on them,” the USTR said in the report.
Germany and France have been discussing ways to build a European network to keep data secure after the U.S. spying scandal. Even German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cell phone was reportedly monitored by American spies.
The USTR said proposals by Germany’s state-backed Deutsche Telekom to bypass the United States were “draconian” and likely aimed at giving European companies an advantage over their U.S. counterparts.
Brazil’s Wild Plan to Purge America From Its Internet
http://gizmodo.com/how-brazil-wants-to-purge-america-from-its-internet-aft-1333914046/all
Brazil and EU push internet link
http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2014/february/brazil-and-eu-push-internet-link/79806.aspx
Not sure how to post this…but…
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MOSCOW. April 2 (Interfax) – Russia will continue discussing the signing of a Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) agreement with the U.S., and is expecting the document to be signed, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said at an Association of Russian Banks (ARB) congress on April 2.
“We are going to continue talks in this regard, and I hope that we will raise this issue with our American colleagues at our G20 Finance Ministers meeting, and [that we] will reach an agreement on to accept the document, which is more civilized and allows for the exchange of information,” he said.
The Russian authorities might grant Russian banks the opportunity to report to the U.S. tax authorities directly in view of the time it is taking to sign FATCA, he said.
“There’s no visible progress in the signing of the agreement so far. To this end we intend to draft a law that would allow banks to provide information about tax payers with American jurisdiction to the American tax service, so that banks have the opportunity to provide that information directly,” Siluanov told Interfax.
Siluanov said he expected to discuss the issue of the Russian-U.S. agreement on FATCA during his visit to Washington planned for April 9-11.
“Of course, I would like to do this [to discuss the agreement],” Siluanov told reporters in Moscow.
Sberbank is ready to comply with the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) in any scenario, the Russian bank’s deputy CEO, Bella Zlatkis, told reporters.
“We’ve got all the processes, all the technologies ready. We understand how and to whom we need to ‘report’ in any event, if it is decided that we’ll do this according to the inter-governmental agreement or register ourselves. We know how to register, we’re just waiting for the government to decide,” Zlatkis said.
“A decision is expected real soon,” she said, adding that any decision could be fulfilled, and very quickly.
FATCA is a new U.S. law obliging banks in other countries to release information on accounts of U.S. taxpayers to U.S. tax service.
The plans to sign the agreement between Russia and the U.S. on mutual exchange of information remain in force despite the U.S. introducing sanctions regarding a number of citizens and Rossiya Bank, Siluanov said last week.
“Everything will be fine. At least, we will ensure all necessary actions so that our bank can provide information on U.S. taxpayers,” he said.
If the agreement is not signed, and banks do not receive a relevant registration number by July 1, 2014 and are not recognized as FATCA participants, sanctions could be applied against them.
The U.S. is delaying the signing of the agreement as a “silent sanction” against Russia, the Vedomosti newspaper reported on April 1 citing sources.
MOSCOW. April 2 (Interfax) – Russia will continue discussing the signing of a Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) agreement with the U.S., and is expecting the document to be signed, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said at an Association of Russian Banks (ARB) congress on April 2.
“We are going to continue talks in this regard, and I hope that we will raise this issue with our American colleagues at our G20 Finance Ministers meeting, and [that we] will reach an agreement on to accept the document, which is more civilized and allows for the exchange of information,” he said.
The Russian authorities might grant Russian banks the opportunity to report to the U.S. tax authorities directly in view of the time it is taking to sign FATCA, he said.
“There’s no visible progress in the signing of the agreement so far. To this end we intend to draft a law that would allow banks to provide information about tax payers with American jurisdiction to the American tax service, so that banks have the opportunity to provide that information directly,” Siluanov told Interfax.
Siluanov said he expected to discuss the issue of the Russian-U.S. agreement on FATCA during his visit to Washington planned for April 9-11.
“Of course, I would like to do this [to discuss the agreement],” Siluanov told reporters in Moscow.
Sberbank is ready to comply with the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) in any scenario, the Russian bank’s deputy CEO, Bella Zlatkis, told reporters.
“We’ve got all the processes, all the technologies ready. We understand how and to whom we need to ‘report’ in any event, if it is decided that we’ll do this according to the inter-governmental agreement or register ourselves. We know how to register, we’re just waiting for the government to decide,” Zlatkis said.
“A decision is expected real soon,” she said, adding that any decision could be fulfilled, and very quickly.
FATCA is a new U.S. law obliging banks in other countries to release information on accounts of U.S. taxpayers to U.S. tax service.
The plans to sign the agreement between Russia and the U.S. on mutual exchange of information remain in force despite the U.S. introducing sanctions regarding a number of citizens and Rossiya Bank, Siluanov said last week.
“Everything will be fine. At least, we will ensure all necessary actions so that our bank can provide information on U.S. taxpayers,” he said.
If the agreement is not signed, and banks do not receive a relevant registration number by July 1, 2014 and are not recognized as FATCA participants, sanctions could be applied against them.
The U.S. is delaying the signing of the agreement as a “silent sanction” against Russia, the Vedomosti newspaper reported on April 1 citing sources.
FATCA seems to be a done deal with one country after the other falling and the momentum growing. Resistance is futile apparently. Credit Suisse in Singapore has now sent out letters to US Person clients saying basically sign the consent to give any/all details to the IRS or we will close your account (all in advance and despite no IGA yet put in place). Russia now can’t wait to sign an IGA. Philippine banks are doing the same thing apparently. We can only pray that the Republicans keep the house and win the Senate and hopefully the Presidency so that RBT can be put in place or at least FATCA limited to US Residents.
Too bad the banks don’t retaliate and request funds for every last account that is reported to the IRS. The US is getting away with too much power. Somebody is making megabucks here and it’s not the rest of the world, that’s for sure.
Re the snoops USA spies: it’s about time countries started to retaliate or fix internet spying. I’m glad Markel came forward with her telephone tap. The USA is not used to push back.
“Steve Klaus says
April 6, 2014 at 7:21 am
FATCA seems to be a done deal with one country after the other falling and the momentum growing. Resistance is futile apparently. Credit Suisse in Singapore has now sent out letters to US Person clients saying basically sign the consent to give any/all details to the IRS or we will close your account (all in advance and despite no IGA yet put in place). Russia now can’t wait to sign an IGA. Philippine banks are doing the same thing apparently. We can only pray that the Republicans keep the house and win the Senate and hopefully the Presidency so that RBT can be put in place or at least FATCA limited to US Residents.”
As I have pointed out numerous time the 30% withholding is a nuclear weapon to other world economy.
The question is do you get a European type FATCA (30% withholding, shutting down accounts, US definition of who are US person, limited registered accounts) or a Canadian type FATCA where they are allowing the people to beat the US system as much as possible,
Does anyone know, if the Russian are planning to sign a European or Canadian type of FATCA?
The Republican have never said they would repeal CBT they may eliminate FATCA but even if they had President, majority in Senate and House of representative they need to overcome a Senate filibuster (more than 60 votes) to repeal FATCA. In addition FATCA would be a low priority item for the Republicans.
@ Calgary 411 – Hey, this is LM. I’m doing my thing of gathering names/contact info for as many as possible well-known US-born Cdns and I’ve just had a look at Jebb Fink – – he is a stand-up commedian & TV personality who was born in California but came to Canada as an adult after marrying a Cdn woman.
Current home is in Calgary!!!! I certainly plan to send him one of my letters & a FATCA fact sheet (awaiting the good paper for printing and have to buy stamps) BUT, BUT, BUT – – wouldn’t it be amazing if he were to attend this meeting?!?!?!? And he ( & his children) DOES need to know about all this stuff…
If you want more info on him (or other Calgary folks on my list of about 230 well-known US-Born Canadians), please let me know. 😉
Do you have phone numbers or email addresses for any of them, LM? I don’t have a lot of time in the next couple of weeks to do a lot of searching, but I would make some phone calls. Thanks very!!!
@Calgary411 Here’s what I can offer:
Jebb Fink: jebb@jebbfink.com (booking assoc = nancy@callbackent.com)
403 – 532-7601
Take a look at Jebbfink.com – he presents himself/ his comedy focus, as “The American in Canada”
Another US-born comedian in Calgary is Stephen Waldschmidt: stephenwaldschmidt@gmail.com
Others:
Ellen Mcllwaine (Singer-songwriter) (403) 228-2812
Craig Conroy (Assistant General Mgr of Calgary Flames) – – can’t seem to easily get a contact #
Kenneth Read (Olympic skier, CBC Sports broadcaster & columnist) – can’t seem to easily get contact #
Diane Ablonczy (MP for Calgary-Nose-Hill)
Cindy Lou Ady (former MPP)
Fredrick “Ted” Morton (PC former cabinet minister)
Hope you or other IBS in/near Calgary can make contact……… (tho I don’t know about these politicians…..)
Thanks, I found that and have just sent this:
Thanks, LM. I’ll try other than Diane Ablonczy and Ted Morton. Been there, done that — no reponse or “not interested”.
Haven’t heard Ken Read around these parts for some time.
Any possibility of getting Myron Thompson there?
I will extend an invitation to former MP Myron Thompson, Blaze. As you know, I’ve spoken with him on the phone and I followed up with quite a lengthy letter of information a month or so ago. He told me he does not use a computer for much. I haven’t heard back from him.
Myron Thompson would certainly add some colour! Hope he wears his cowboy hat.
@ Calgary411 and @Blaze – – so glad I could add to your event possibilities, even just a little bit. Great letter to Jebb Fink – – my crystal ball says that even if he can’t attend the info session, he will be in touch and that will be the start of a good connection; after all, he meets a LOT of people and his schtick is already “being an American in Canada”….. Good luck with the meeting and let us all know how it goes! The Burlington, Ontario meeting last week was packed to the edges of the room!
BTW – – to all – – the organized list of well-known US-born Canadians now includes about 230 names (not including the deceased)!!! Emailed & tweeted “mailings” have already started going out (thanks GrouchyandMad) and printing of snail-mail postings will start as soon as Staples delivers their nice heavy grey bond (likely Tuesday).
If anyone wants to add a name/address or email address of someone fitting this category (well-connected, born in US, whatever occupation) that they think I might have now, pass them on 🙂
@ Calgary411
After a few hours of sleep and a good shower, I’d like to add another thought. I can see that you have had it with the politicians there. But perhaps this is an opportunity to educate? Perhaps not expecting the politician him/herself to attend but maybe someone from their office to take notes, listen to questions & hear the realistic concerns?
While not focusing specifically on FATCA, John does a really good job of thoroughly presenting the complex issues and the draconian tax form expectations that most non-duals have no idea about (friends are flabbergasted when I tell them that last year my tax submission was close to 200 pages! Boy will I be glad after my soon-upcoming renunciation and next year becoming the FINAL IRS “form-nation” hoop-jumping!). Anyway, this is just a thought for your consideration…..
Happy Vimy Ridge Day coming up – Wednesday!
LM
Does anyone know how to contact the organizers of the Edmonton session. I just discovered James Rajotte who is the Chair of the Parlimentary Finance Committee is from Edmonton. I think it would be signifcant for him to be invited and to see how he responds.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Rajotte
At the London Ontario session, I invited all four local MPs. My own Con MP declined our invitation. The two other Con MPs did not respond. The NDP MP sent regrets that she and her staff would be unable to attend because they were hosting Veteran’s Town Hall meeting at the same time as our session. She advised constituents who had contacted her about this isssue of the meeting. She placed a notice on her website and tweeted information.
At the beginning of the meeting, I made an announcement outlining the responses or non-responses. Native Canadian shared the conversation he had with one of the Cons who had not replied to me.
I did not make any public judgement about the responses. I just said what the MPs had or hadn’t done and let people draw their own conclusions.
It would be particularly interesting and relevant to see how Mr. Rajotte would respond to an invitation to the session in Edmonton.
LM,
Thanks for your brain-storming — that’s a good idea — and I’ll use it.
Happy Vimy Ridge Day to you on Wednesday.
Yes, Blaze — GwEvil. Thanks for the info on inviting local MPs — even MLA’s or MMP’s (which I will do for the few Liberals here).