On March 16, 2014 Professor Allison Christians of the McGill Law School gave a presentation – “FATCA For Humans”. This was an event which was NOT for law students, NOT for lawyers, NOT for academics, but was for the community of those Canadians who might be affected by FATCA. Her presentation was excellent. The session itself was described as follows:
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Sorry – the video has been temporarily removed.
The interview referenced in the above tweet features the Honourable Sinclair Stevens and Archbiship Dorian Baxter (Leader and President of the Progressive Canadian Party respectively). It took place on April 14, 2014.
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"Trap"pings of US citizenship incompatible with global world. #FATCA + #CBT = "Iron Curtain" for #Americansabroad pic.twitter.com/TQ4LXotBNu
— Citizenship Lawyer (@ExpatriationLaw) April 21, 2014
U.S. tax law could ensnare unsuspecting Canadians http://t.co/03TjJUt5MG via @edmontonjournal – Report on Edmonton #FATCA #FBAR session
— Citizenship Lawyer (@ExpatriationLaw) April 21, 2014
Nice to see FATCA getting some attention in the Canadian media. The Edmonton Journal sent a reporter to the information session which took place in Edmonton on Easter Sunday – April 20, 2014. The article included:
EDMONTON – A little-known U.S. law taking effect in July is worrying American expats, dual citizens living in Canada and Canadians concerned about their privacy.
The controversial Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) — which the Canadian government agreed to in February — requires banks around the world to collect detailed citizenship, residency and financial information about their clients.
Under an intergovernmental agreement Canada signed, financial institutions must pass any information about their clients’ U.S. connections to the Canada Revenue Agency, which will transmit it to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
A couple of dozen people, including dual citizens and U.S. expats, attended an information session in Edmonton on Sunday about the sharing pact.
The tax acronyms; #FATCA, AEOI, specified US persons | http://t.co/LHlN2CUgee http://t.co/DnR118GJZS – I made the news in New Zealand
— Citizenship Lawyer (@ExpatriationLaw) April 18, 2014
Oh well. It appears that (at least for now), the anti- FATCA submissions to New Zealand were of little effect.* A comprehensive description of the rejection is here and New Zealand based commentary on the FATCA capitulation (calling it a crime) is here.
An interesting article by Gareth Vaughn – New Zealand based journalist – describing FATCA in the context of information exchange includes:
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The legal status as "citizen" and the moral reality of "citizenship". How are the ideas different? http://t.co/TsSnGAYFeC #Americansabroad
— Citizenship Lawyer (@ExpatriationLaw) April 12, 2014
Will US revoke the right of American citizenship to foreigners born here? http://t.co/AAEI2jPdhC – Policy aspects of citizenship
— Citizenship Lawyer (@ExpatriationLaw) April 12, 2014
Once upon a time, so very long ago, in a not so far off land, I was beginning my first year of University. During the “orientation week” I listened to a “Welcoming speech” from the President of this particular institution. The man was a “living legend”. But, what I remember was the manner in which he was proudly introduced to the freshman class.
His introduction included the following description:
“I would like to introduce to you _________________
A man who was an American by birth and a Canadian by choice”
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The oath to the Queen: We swear, it’s fair http://t.co/NnlA77bXp7 – What does Oath of Allegiance really mean? In USA its expatriating Act.
— Citizenship Lawyer (@ExpatriationLaw) April 10, 2014
The above tweet references an interesting article about the relationship between the oath of allegiance to the Queen and Canadian citizenship. It raises the questions of:
1. Does an oath of allegiance matter at all?
2. If so, to whom or what should the oath of allegiance be?
Interestingly, under S. 349 of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, an Oath of Allegiance to a non-U.S. sovereign is an expatriating act.
The article includes:
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How to get rid of your U.S. citizenship http://t.co/d46CiYDMkP – Once upon a time people wanted U.S. citizenship. That was then. No more.
— Citizenship Lawyer (@ExpatriationLaw) April 6, 2014
Interesting article by Patrick Cain of Global News – How To Get Rid Of An Unwanted U.S. Citizenship. This article is significant for two reasons:
1. The very fact that it was written at all – America’s practice of taxing residents of other countries is starting to get out;
2. Non-U.S. citizens may be starting to get interested in this issue.
The article includes:
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Report on "Solving The Problems of U.S. Citizenship" seminar – London, Ontario – February 8, 2014 http://t.co/GHYePt9sto #Americansabroad
— Citizenship Lawyer (@ExpatriationLaw) April 2, 2014
The above tweet references the synopsis of a “Solving the problems of U.S. citizenship” presentation that took place in London, Ontario on February 8, 2014.
It includes:
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.”
