Just Me has been asking to find out whatever I could about “US Persons” in Australia and New Zealand. I have to admit I don’t much about Australian or New Zealand politics but I knew enough to recognize the name Kristina Keneally (who in Canadian terms would be the Australian equivalent of Dalton McGuinty or Mike Harris). I literally though fell off my chair when I discovered that Keneally in fact was born the United States and renounced her US citizenship in 2000 upon becoming Australian (Australia banned dual nationality until April 4th 2002).
Congress to introduce Foreign Washing Machine Compliance Act (FWMCA) to fight offshore abuse of Tide Detergent
Recently, reports have surfaced that drug dealers are abandoning the U.S. dollar in favour of a cleaner, more liquid medium of exchange. From The Daily:
Tide has become a form of currency on the streets. The retail price is steadily high — roughly $10 to $20 a bottle — and it’s a staple in households across socioeconomic classes. Tide can go for $5 to $10 a bottle on the black market, authorities say. Enterprising laundry soap peddlers even resell bottles to stores. “There’s no serial numbers and it’s impossible to track,” said Detective Larry Patterson of the Somerset, Ky., Police Department, where authorities have seen a huge spike in Tide theft. “It’s the item to steal.” …
Declaration of Independence read by Hollywood types
When you hear these Hollywood folks (many probably more wealthy than the vast majority of IBS participants) pronounce the words, what do you hear about our current situation as minnows abroad? I find that there are quite a few scary parallels. I’m not sure how to interpret the “Indian Savages” passage, as I am one. I could spend hours expounding upon the parallels. I let you help me because I’ve got other work to do and don’t want to be a one-man show.
Why "Isaac Brock"? Reloaded
Petros responds to markpinetree and others regarding the name of the Isaac Brock Society.
Change of tone by Canadian Bankers Association?
About four weeks ago, I sent an email to Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) on Blaze’s behalf, forwarding to them under my real name an email she had written (from which I had stripped her personal identification). Blaze posted their reply to my email (which reply was really a reply to Blaze’s email) in this thread.
After receiving CBA’s reply to Blaze, I sent a lengthy reply to them. Earlier today, I received a short reply to that missive, from the same CBA official. This latest reply seems more sympathetic to our concerns, in tone and wording.
Check out the following page on HR Block site – suggests U.S. citizens must enter Voluntary Disclosure
Help! I would like a second opinion on what this page on the HR Block Canada site is really saying. It appears to me that they are either directly saying (or at least implying) that U.S. citizens in Canada MUST enter the Voluntary Disclosure Initiative. To me this sounds as though they are saying that people must enter the OVDI program that was reactivated in January 2012. VDI is certainly different from a general requirement to file U.S. tax returns. The page URL is here (it states a 2012 publication date):
http://www.hrblock.ca/canada-irs.asp
What follows is an excerpt from the page. (You may want to read it all.) Am I misreading this? Am I misinterpreting this? How would a U.S. citizen in Canada interpret this? Help! At the very least I think this is highly misleading. I have highlighted certain parts. Your thoughts? Continue reading
Whatchamacallit
Following in the footsteps of James Fallows, who questioned the Brock identity, markpinetree has just registered his wish that the Isaac Brock Society morph into Americans Abroad Society.
One of the interesting aspects of this virtual watercooler, and of the technology that makes it possible, is that place does not matter. Off the top of my head, besides Canada, we have Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom … and USA.
Elsewheresers are welcome to make that listing fuller. No intent to omit. With Brockers thus far in March spitting out an average of over 17,000 words per day, keeping track is a stretch.
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….
To Minister Of Finance: Canadians Are Desperate!
I’m increasingly concerned about how FATCA is affecting people on a personal level. I’ve again written to Jim Flaherty to try to appeal to him to act now because of the toll this is taking on Canadian citizens and residents.
Here’s my e-mail Subject: FATCA: Canadians Are Desperate. We Need Your Help Now!
Late Loyalist renounces
In early February, Late Loyalist told his 2011 OVDI story, a harrowing tale: his 5% voluntary disclosure fine was $1589.00, with zero taxes owing to the United States, but his lawyer fees exceeded 20k. He now reports that he has renounced his United States citizenship.
Hi All:
Wednesday March 7th at 3:45 pm Calgary time I renounced my US citizenship. What a relief! I can’t tell you how good that first step feels.