Monthly Archives: April 2014

An Open Letter to Canadians from TDV legal correspondent, Jim Karger

What he is talking about, or wants me to talk about, are the Canadians who are about to be given a swirly by the 900-pound gorilla to the south because they had the misfortune of being born to one American parent in Canada, or were born in the US for no good or apparent reason before returning to Canada as children. They are, to their extreme disadvantage, American citizens, whether they know it or not. And, American citizens, voluntary, knowing, or otherwise, are required by the most dangerous criminal enterprise in the world to report and pay taxes on every thin dime they earn their entire miserable lifetimes regardless where in the world they earned them or where they live.

So what?

Read on.

I’m passing on a comment that came from Kathy this morning to get feedback / help on getting the Canadian petition below updated and sent to a specific MP for use in Question Period regarding the implementation of Canada’s FATCA IGA.

SHOULD THIS PETITION EFFORT BE UPDATED? (Former Petition to Canadian Government re FATCA in Canada — Print, Sign, Send to MP Ted Hsu ASAP — RIGHT AWAY!)

@calgary411

Just talked to my MP and he suggested to keep the petitions coming as the issue needs floor time discussion and petitions are a way of getting that time. Do we need a new version now that the Conservatives have already agreed to the IGA? How quickly can we do this?

EDMONTON: SUNDAY, APRIL 20

TIME: 9:30am-12:30pm

VENUE: Don Wheaton Family YMCA at 10211 102 Ave., Edmonton, AB T5J 0A5
(underground parking available at facility)

Don Wheaton Family YMCA (Central)

I will be flying out to Edmonton to attend, and to assist John with this meeting. I look forward to meeting my fellow Edmontonians who have been accused of being American. Come listen, get the pertinent information about these issues, and then make your decisions proactively rather than reactively.

~ GwEvil ~

By Blaze
Finally, I’m posting a synopsis of Solving the Problem of US Citizenship information session presented by John Richardson of citizenshipsolutions.ca that was held in London, Ontario on February 8, 2014.

I apologize for the delay. Other FATCA projects have consumed my life.

You can read the synopsis in the link, but here are a few highlights:

CITIZENSHIP:

John first gave an overview of US citizenship laws, tax laws, renunciation and relinquishment and many changes that have taken place over decades.

People have many differing circumstances and each one is unique. Because of the complexities, John stressed:

“The bottom line is you have to check the law at the time the act took place.”

Continue reading →

Here is a scenario, not unrealistic, which should explain to reigning Canadian government how they have failed in their duty to stand on guard for Canada by betraying Canadian citizens to the IRS.

Jake is a businessman in Canada who employs 50 people at his workshop in the Toronto area. He is nearing retirement age. He has made a decent living but has put so much of his company’s profits back into his business that he has basically lived a frugal, middle class lifestyle. He paid for his kids’ educations, but they went to Canadian universities not elite US Ivy League schools. His wife died a couple years ago, and he inherited her half of the house and her RRSP.  Continue reading →

http://www.jamesrajottemp.ca/issues/finance-and-taxation/offshore-voluntary-disclosure-initiative

Some constituents have expressed concern regarding the U.S. Internal Revenue Service’s Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative. This is exclusively a U.S. program, with the federal Canadian Government playing no part in its creation or execution.

I appreciate that many individuals are frustrated to learn that they can face penalties for previously undisclosed foreign accounts and assets. The U.S. government requires its citizens, even those living abroad, to file income tax returns and associated tax forms – even if those U.S. citizens do not have to pay any U.S. income tax because they already pay Canadian income tax, and even if they have dual citizenship with Canada. This requirement has been in place since 1913.

It is unfortunate that the U.S. maintains this requirement as most other industrialized nations have moved away from this specific measure. However, it is entirely within the purview of the U.S. government to impose such a requirement.

While it is within the U.S. government’s authority to do this, it is not good policy in my view. That is why I have directly raised the concerns of many constituents of Edmonton-Leduc like you regarding the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative with the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance.

Minister Flaherty has been in constant contact with his U.S. counterparts, pressuring them to understand fully their actions against Canadian residents. Below is a letter from Minister Flaherty submitted to several American papers expressing concerns on FATCA/FBAR.

– See more at: http://www.jamesrajottemp.ca/issues/finance-and-taxation/offshore-voluntary-disclosure-initiative#sthash.saRd7CJc.dpuf