Introductory comment added June 1, 2013.
This is an incredibly important issue for the reasons given here.
Since the Obama/Geithner/Shulman assault on U.S. citizens abroad began, I have observed people attempting U.S. tax compliance when they are NOT U.S. persons. The following post is neither fun nor all that interesting. Remember, for those unlucky to have it:
“U.S. citizenship is a problem to be solved.”
You may not need to solve it at all!
Hang in for a long read.
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Once upon a time people wanted to be a U.S. citizen and were proud to be a U.S. citizen. That changed in 2011 when the IRS began to “hunt” U.S. citizens in all corners of the world. This affected many people who were and are paying huge taxes in “high tax” jurisdictions and did not know that they were also required to file U.S. tax returns. People were also introduced to Mr. FBAR. Mr. FBAR is a particularly nasty guy who had the potential to subject them to huge penalties.
And just when you thought you had seen and endured it all the U.S. enacted FATCA. With the advent of FATCA – America’s Berlin wall: Continue reading