I have started reading a book called Last Call which is about the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s which I find similar to the current situation people face themselves here at IBS today. I did find an interesting review of the book by Macleans magazine about the impact and perhaps one might say benefits that accrued to Canada during prohibition.

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The Isaac Brock Society has received numerous spam messages of this variety in our comment stream:

Rita Jaffey:  By June 30th I have to make a decision about the FBAR. Still trying to figure out what the best choice is.

Jeneva Benafield:  I’m waiting until June 30th to come up with an FBAR decision. Maybe I’ll just stay an ex-pat.

Priscilla Outhouse:  I’m waiting until June 30th to make an FBAR decision. Maybe I’ll just stay an ex-pat.

The website for these messages is www.irsmedic.com.  We invite the owner of this domain to come here and explain, if possible, why these “people” (eight different messages by eight different names, but only five unique IP addresses), who have sent these messages, would do this.  I suspect it is an attempt to drum up business here at the Isaac Brock Society.   Caveat emptor.

ACA: “Thanks to Brian Knowlton (NYT) for his perceptive article regarding anger and frustration over the revised federal registration and ballot request form. NOTE that one can still use the previous (2005) version, with less invasive language. DO NOT LET this deter you from voting this year!!”

Change to Ballot Request Form Angers U.S. Expats

Here it is:

http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1175497–go-away-american-millionaires-foreign-banks-turn-away-the-rich-as-tax-evasion-law-looms

A couple of comments:

Its just a reprint of a Bloomberg article but because its a Canadian newspaper I though some might be interested in making comments on the comments section.

I found the comments from US Congressman Richard Neal to be quite interesting. I think if ACA and Democrats Abroad want to truly show they are in this battle, they need to come out and denounce Congressman Neal TODAY.

Good article:

https://twitter.com/#!/renounceus/status/200240540183302145

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Barrie McKenna reports about the negotiations between Washington and Ottawa to “temper” FATCA’s requirements, through a government to government sharing arrangement.  Barrie called me yesterday looking for a reaction.  I hope the quote is pleasing to everyone:

“The idea that any of our financial information would be given to the IRS is an abomination,” said Mr. Dunn, 48, who is in the process of giving up his U.S. citizenship and filing back taxes to end his obligations to the IRS.

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My understanding is that the last date for filing Form 8854 for a 2011 expatriation is June 15, the due date, because of the automatic extension for the tax filing for a person resident outside the United States.  After that date, a person could be subject to warnings or even a $10,000 non-filing fine.  So be it.

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https://twitter.com/#!/renounceus/status/199852579214204929

Phil’s blog post is a “must read” (The Isaac Brock Society is mentioned). Full of all kinds of great ideas – including teaching how people how to get at “Private Letter Ruling”.  Also, some interesting “non legal advice” thoughts on the FBAR problem. You will find the actual paper that was submitted to the IRS here.  The paper was supported by the New York Society of CPAs.

Phil, thanks again for your help and support!