2014 IRS Survey for U.S. Persons Overseas: Non-filers, identified by comparing names on “IRS non-filer database” with passport data from U.S. Department of State, will be “invited” to participate in survey

64 thoughts on “2014 IRS Survey for U.S. Persons Overseas: Non-filers, identified by comparing names on “IRS non-filer database” with passport data from U.S. Department of State, will be “invited” to participate in survey”

1. Whoooaaaaa!

   If one has never had an interaction with the IRS, from where is one’s address being obtained?
   This is frightening.

   NO ONE SHOULD RESPOND TO THIS IF RECEIVED!!!
   Not even online. ICYMI: The IRS tracks/stores all visits to its website. I can’t imagine they don’t have access to the ICF site.

   Since I am “safe” I am going to look into this a little further.

   Thanks for posting this IRSCF.

2. Strange. Why restrict it to some people? Why bother having a survey at all given that expats are excluded from all US jurisdiction issues except taxation?

3. My first suggestion is that they make sure they build that facility at Downsview (a mile or two from my house) that they’ve been promising: https://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2014/03/28/new-finance-minister-backs-down-on-iga-revitalizes-unirnass/

4. Cool but remember under section 91 subpart b
   ” US persons living abroad are subject to a $10,000.00 fine or 50% of all bank accounts, which ever is greater for not completing and submitting an IRS survey in the allotted specified time”

5. So nice of them to limit it to 4000 people. I guess they really don’t want to hear from those of us who actually have something to say…

6. @OKTC
   I presume you mean the IRC?

7. @ Petros ; be careful what you wish for. My understanding is that the IRS has (or is about to) open an office in Israel to “work with” all the US Persons who made the major life-changing decision to move to and take on citizenship there and, since, have “forgotten” to file their tax forms. I mean, when you move to a new country lock-stock-and-barrel (change language, change money, change laws, change grocery shopping patterns, change banking routines, change schools or professions, etc, etc) is filling out tax forms to your old country really on your list of things to do? But now the IRS is following them…….(could this be legally identified as stalking?)

8. *It appears that the invite will be sent to some US persons abroad who have NEVER had an interaction with the IRS*

   Never as not ever doing a tax return or never had called or wrote them about anything?

   Ok.. if no tax return has been done… where in the heck did they get their addresses?? Did they trace their IP when they went over to the IRS site to get an address? Or is this surveillance crap really work & US persons got a special kool aid that made them glow on the map? This is interesting… What happens if u don’t fill it out… what more can they do that they ain’t doing now? Drain our money… next our blood?? Ok.. my paranoid mind will stop now…

9. Sounds like a trap to me.

10. Here is an IRS document that looks like it is a result of a similar survey from 2011. It explains how it got the names and addresses of people to which the survey was sent on page 25.

    2012 Taxpayer Experience of Individuals Living Abroad: Service Awareness, Use, Preferences, and Filing Behaviors

    http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/12rescontaxpayexperience.pdf

11. Voter registration might be a good source if names of people who are most definitely US citizens.

12. Thank for the heads up. Write “no such person on it” and drop in mailbox. That’s if they can find you. I do not know how they would unless you made yourself known to them.

13. I’d fill one out. With my middle fingers.

14. Page 25 seems to indicate these people did not “stay hidden.”

15. The participation rate will be no better than filing tax returns – they can stick it.

16. Another kind of threat perhaps? Googling the three words ‘irs survey scam’ is a bit of an eye-opener!!

    Not sure, but maybe….

17. MyKitty,

    From your 2012 document:

    “Nonfilers with a perceived filing obligation were identified through their information on the IRS
    nonfiler database (??) and matched to passport data from the U.S. Department of State.”

    —16% of nonfilers with a perceived filing obligation actually responded on the survey.

    The ICF helpdesk person suggested to me that the previous survey published document (the one you found) might be similar to the 2014 survey.

18. @Sad in UK

    you may be on to something..
    http://beforeitsnews.com/conspiracy-theories/2014/04/was-canadas-ex-finance-minister-killed-by-banksters-2461718.html

    ICF International, formerly known as ICF Consulting, is a management, technology, and policy consulting firm based in Fairfax, Virginia. Wikipedia
    Is that near Langly?

19. … or all those US social security cheques for which there is an agreement with Canada and many other countries. US social security is reported on Canadian tax returns, but a good source of names and addresses.

20. The Spider And The Fly
    Mary Howitt (1799-1888)

    “Will you walk into my parlor?” said the spider to the fly;
    “‘Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you may spy.
    The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
    And I have many curious things to show when you are there.”
    “Oh no, no,” said the little fly; “to ask me is in vain,
    For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”

    “I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high.
    Well you rest upon my little bed?” said the spider to the fly.
    “There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
    And if you like to rest a while, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”
    “Oh no, no,” said the little fly, “for I’ve often heard it said,
    They never, never wake again who sleep upon your bed!”

    Said the cunning spider to the fly: “Dear friend, what can I do
    To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
    I have within my pantry good store of all that’s nice;
    I’m sure you’re very welcome – will you please to take a slice?”
    “Oh no, no,” said the little fly; “kind sir, that cannot be:
    I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”

    “Sweet creature!” said the spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise;
    How handsome are your gauzy wings; how brilliant are your eyes!
    I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;
    If you’d step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”
    “I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you’re pleased to say,
    And, bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.”

    The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
    For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again:
    So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
    And set his table ready to dine upon the fly;
    Then came out to his door again and merrily did sing:
    “Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with pearl and silver wing;
    Your robes are green and purple; there’s a crest upon your head;
    Your eyes are like diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!”

    Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly,
    Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
    With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer grew,
    Thinking only of her brilliant eyes and green and purple hue,
    Thinking only of her crested head. Poor, foolish thing! at last
    Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast;
    He dragged her up his winding stair, into the dismal den –
    Within his little parlor – but she ne’er came out again!

    And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
    To idle, silly flattering words I pray you ne’er give heed;
    Unto an evil counselor close heart and ear and eye,
    And take a lesson from this tale of the spider and the fly.

21. Phishing?

22. You can improve services by not extorting money from me earned OUTSIDE YOUR JURISDICTION, and by fu$King off in general…..

23. @ALL

    Please a reminder to stay on topic.

    This is not the time nor the place for comments of this type regarding Mr Flaherty’s passing.

    If you have any issues with my comment pls email me at nobledreamer16 at gmail dot com
    Pls know I am an admin on this site

24. Cross-comment from Maple Sandbox: http://maplesandbox.ca/2014/synopsis-solving-u-s-citizenship-problem-london-ontario/comment-page-2/#comment-19674

    http://www.mnptax.ca/insights/blog/2014/2/28/unexpected-consequences-of-the-irs-hunt-for-us-tax-evaders:

    In recent years, the IRS has increased its efforts to identify U.S. citizens and residents (U.S. persons) who are not in compliance with their U.S. tax obligations. A major component of this effort has been the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) which became law in 2010 and has key provisions which go into effect July 2014….

    The stress and burden of FATCA has been expected since it became law. However, it appears this increased scrutiny on U.S. persons may be causing nets to be cast outside of the financial world. Recently, a U.S. citizen client’s employer requested that its U.S. employees fill out IRS Form W-4 Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate and IRS Form 673 Statement for Claiming Exemption from Withholding on Foreign Earned Income Eligible for the Exclusion(s) Provided by Section 911. The employer was not a U.S. company but was part of a multi-national group of companies with a presence in the U.S. The employee provided no services in the U.S.

    …

    The willingness or ability of the IRS to enforce its income tax withholding provisions on foreign corporations is debatable and it is not certain why this employer has begun to request U.S. income tax withholding forms. However, if an employer takes it upon itself to comply with U.S. tax law, U.S. persons may find themselves in a position where they seem to (and in some instances may in fact) have unexpected U.S. income tax withholding obligations. We hope this situation is an exception and will not lead to more mental and financial stress for U.S. persons living abroad.

25. Thanks, Tricia, for your important moderation on this.