How #FATCA IGAs relate to legislation in IRC: To be consistent with FATCA law and avoid the 30% US sanction, IGAs must require the FFIs to close the account of "US Persons" who fail to supply required data (without regard to local #GDPR law). Solutions? law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26…
As the @DemsAbroadTax statement and @SEATNow_org states/implies this problem can be solved ONLY if the US joins the world in adopting residence as the criterion for @TaxResidency. Citizenship would no longer be relevant for taxation. NOT part of any current legislative proposal.
@AmerIronCurtain asks: 1. What would it take for Belgium to get out of the #FATCA IGA? 2. What would it take to get out of the #savingclause? 3. Does the Belgium decision mean that the #FATCAIGA is illegal? Interesting questions ...
1. Article 10 of #FATCA IGA contains a notice provision that allows each country to withdraw from the agreement. But, withdrawing from the agreement leaves Belgium "subject" (pun intended) to the direct application of FATCA rules in the IRC (1471 - 1474) home.treasury.gov/system/files/1…
2. Par 4 of Article 1 of US/Belgium treaty contains #savingclause. Belgium agrees US can tax US citizens (with exceptions) regardless of treaty. Change requires treaty amendment. But US could suspend and allow US citizens to be treated as nonresidents. irs.gov/pub/irs-trty/b…
An intelligent response which reinforces the #FATCA (sorry fact) that that the real problem is US @CitizenshipTax. The Decision in Belgium underscores that the sole purpose of the FATCA IGAs is to ensure Americans cannot leave the USA and acquire rights denied to US residents.
As the @DemsAbroadTax statement states/implies this problem can be solved ONLY if the US joins the world in adopting residence as the criterion for @TaxResidency. Citizenship would no longer be relevant for taxation. But, this is NOT part of any legislative proposal.
A second solution would be “A Regulatory Fix For Citizenship Taxation” Which would define “individual” as resident. As published by @TaxNotes here … taxnotes.com/featured-analy…
Ending @CitizenshipTax would mean fewer #Americansabroad caught in this #FATCA, #FBAR enforcement dragnet. What's truly "criminal" is unwillingness of US Gov to allow US citizens who live outside USA with @TaxResidency in other countries to avoid being caught in this crossfire.
Report goes on and on about Dan Horsky and a "The Family" (US residents) who used Credit Suisse to (presumably) evade US taxes. It concludes a vast conspiracy and uses this to condemn @DualCitizenship (pp 33 - 337)and justify the hiring of more IRS agents. finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/…
What is really disturbing is how the Report focuses on US citizenship and NOT residence. This should be of great concern to #Americansabroad. Remember also how dissent by Justice Barrett in the Bittner #FBAR case focuses ONLY on US citizenship with NO other circumstance relevant!
Canada’s new #FHSA has different kinds. US citizens resident in Canada should avoid those administered by trustee (possibly creating foreign trust for US tax purposes). Stick with the basic “bank account” FHSA with no trustee and no (#PFIC) mutual funds. canada.ca/en/revenue-age…
General features of Canada’s new #FHSA: max contribution $8000 per year and $40,000 lifetime. Contributions tax deductible. Growth in plan not taxable. Distribution not taxable if used to buy first home. US citizens in Canada will need special planning. canada.ca/en/revenue-age…
A ”self-directed” #FHSA is possible which does NOT appear to be a “trust”. This would be good for US citizens (and all CDN residents) who want to invest in individual stocks. US citizens must avoid CDN mutual funds. canada.ca/en/revenue-age…
Although @RepBrianHiggins is reinforcing the image of "The Ugly American" by his bullying tactics and viewing the world ONLY through his interests, this may be an opportunity to bring a discussion of US @citizenshiptax and #FATCA as applied to CDN residents into public domain.