I just listened to this great podcast on This American Life which ran on NPR stations this weekend.
It is called Take the Money and Run for Office.
I highly recommend it to you. Continue reading
Author Archives: Just Me
Obama Says Congress Will Vote on 'Buffett Rule' Millionaire Tax
Another interesting article by Michael Cohn at Accounting Today. We have a couple “Fair Share Acts” in play in the Senate and the House, that all of us should be keeping our eyes on. Continue reading
An early April Fools Joke
U.S. Corporate Tax Rate Becomes Highest on April 1
Michael Cohn continues to put up interesting and good stories on Accounting Today. If you are like me, I never thought I would be reading a publication like this. I never took an accounting class in my life. I basically hate numbers analysis, but can do it if I have too! That is just another drudgery… The Drudgery of the Numbers. Anyway here is the link to the story for your weekend reading. Continue reading
U.S. Tax-Evasion Probes Said to Slow as Prosecutors Transfer
The U.S. Justice Department has lost almost 30 percent of its tax prosecutors in the past month, slowing a U.S. crackdown on offshore banks that enabled tax evasion, according to four people familiar with the matter.
Two sources. Bloomberg Story and this from Mainjustice.com Continue reading
FATCA Makes Banks Shut Out Americans
I would draw your attention to the recent post by Robert Wood at Forbes. It caught my attention this morning, and so I decided to post a comment back to him. Frankly, Robert is one of the regular and consistent writers on FATCA, FBAR and Citizenship taxation issues. He often quotes and references American Citizens Abroad. I sometimes joke that they must have him on their payroll. That is NOT true! LOL
Here is the link to the most recent posting…
FATCA Makes Banks Shut Out Americans
I could not pass up the opportunity to post a comment back to him, and the text is produced below:
Oh Canada! Our Home and Adopted Land
Dear Canadians… Thought you would be interested in seeing this article at Forbes.
Is Stephen Dunn a Canadian, or are your voices being heard across the border?
The United States taxes its citizens and resident aliens on their worldwide income. U.S. law prevents double taxation by allowing a credit for foreign tax on income which is also subject to U.S. income tax. The U.S.-Canada Income Tax Treaty of 1980 provides process by which Canada Revenue will collect…
Read more here.. http://www.forbes.com/sites/stephendunn/2012/03/18/oh-canada-our-home-and-adoped-land/
Dueling Editorials.. DATCA vs FATCA
We have a case of dueling editorials in the Miami Herald between Senator Rubio and Rep Posey on one hand, (March 7) and a response on March 15 by Emily McMahon, acting assistant secretary for tax policy, Treasury Department, Washington, DC. I have posted the links in other threads, but wanted to give this duel a little more visibility, as it really represents FATCA vs DATCA battle. Although you won’t see that direct connection in the editorials of either authors. But the EU 5 country FATCA agreement for tax data exchange reciprocity rests on the IRS being able to impose DATCA on US banks. The only place that is pointed out, is in the comments section which I encourage you to read and add your own comments.
Offshore depositors won’t be hurt by Emily McMahon
vs
A destructive IRS mandate by Senator Rubio and Rep Posey
November 21, 2012 NOTE: Not sure what to read into this, but both of these editorials have disappeared from the Miami Herald, and you just get the 404 errors. Searches on titles or names yield nothing! I should have kept copies.
Getting Media Attention on Harmful US Citizenship Tax policy
I have been reading and thinking about the discussion on the recent CBC story and share the frustrations that many have with media in Canada or America who just don’t seem to get the narrative right (from our POV) when it comes to US Expat citizenship taxation, Voluntary Disclosure programs, or offshore accounts issues (FATCA). It is very hard for us as individuals to get Journalist or Editors attention, have them adopt our narratives, and only occasionally do we have minor success on the fringes like here and here.
I wished I had the magic answer, or some profound insight as how to solve this problem. We must recognize that even organizations like ACA who have been at this for years and years have a hard time getting MSM attention on their many efforts. However, I would like to venture a suggestion of another painful drudgery (I am into drudgery) that can bear fruit….
Moby "Opt Out" update
On January 25th, I posted a story of the “Opt Out” success of a Minnow with the alias of Moby.
It was under the title of An OVDP Minnow “Opt Out” Success by Moby
If you are not familiar with his story, I would suggest that you read that post first to bring you up to date with his story.
Moby, now complete in his dealings with the IRS and no longer residing in America, has generously made his “Opt Out” correspondence public for all OVDI participants to see and learn from. What follows is his message for all of us.
ACA Writes Commissioner Shulman About Unfair IRS Treatment of Americans Overseas
There is a story out tonight on Yahoo News and other sources that ACA (American Citizens Abroad) has just sent a letter to Commissioner Shulman about his refusal to respond formally to Nina Olson’s TAD.
Concerned Organization of Americans Abroad Writes to #IRS About Unfair IRS Treatment of Americans Overseas bit.ly/yzlKI0 #FBAR #FATCA
— Marvin Van Horn (@FATCA_Fallout) March 9, 2012
