This year a new bill is introduced to address the problems many overseas Americans have with double taxation. To previous bills did not make it, and this one is just introduced (see link below). So if you are an American I urge you to send letters to your senator and congress man/woman about this issue.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1140

John

Last action was in April. I don't think this is going anywhere, sadly enough.

Not to totally derail this thread, but what senators/congressmen do we write to? I moved here from Texas, but I'm no longer a resident there. Do I write to them? Plus my congressman was a totally benign clown. It's just as valuable to write the letter, put in an envelope, and burn it.

Hmm...so does that mean US citizens who no longer reside in the US suffer taxation without representation? Who represents us?

But anyway - I'm in the same boat - I'm no longer a resident of the US.

I suppose you could write to the sponsor of the bill, or members of the committee (if it's stuck in committee).

e.

Write to the congress people of the last state you officially resided in - where you last filed state taxes. That's where the government considers you/we "belong" for this type of situation.

When resident overseas, you may still vote in Federal elections (US President, Senate, Congress) and in some states/districts may vote for other state/local elections - contact the board of elections where you last resided to find out in which races you may vote.

If you are not registered at your overseas address, it is important to do so. For how to register abroad see:

http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/onlinefpca.html

A good resource for to help keep abreast of issues affecting US voters living overseas is the American Citizens Abroad website:

http://www.aca.ch/acan135.htm

And, it is worth noting that congress has established an advocacy group, Americans Abroad Caucus:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/...cus.php?page=1

Do please make your concerns known to your senator, representative, and to the Americans Abroad Caucus; because we are such a fractured group US expats have frequently been seen as an easy target for tax increases, etc. There are enough of us to make our views count, or at least listened to - but we have to speak up.

As my senator is running for president, I'm hoping that he'll a little more be inclined to listen this time around.

Please register, please make your views known, and please, please vote.

Is it really based on taxes? Texas doesn't have a state tax, so I've never filed. Does that still make me a Louisiana-ian? That'd be nice, I hate having to explain "we moved from Texas, but I'm really from Louisiana" as to disavow any link with TX.

I'm not an expert.. but my understanding is it's based on last official residence. That's usually where you filed state taxes, but in your case, not. Or the locale where you were last qualified to vote - again based on residence. So sorry about the Texas thing... But you could look on the bright side - at least you don't have state taxes to deal with....

have just spoken with an American colleague on this, basically, if you are resident in Switzerland as a US Citizen on either a B or C permit, you do not have to pay US taxes. If you are in the B/C category & work for a US headquartered firm you do.
His wife is a Swiss tax accountant, so believe the source is credible.

Hope that helps.

[quote=Polorise;133003]have just spoken with an American colleague on this, basically, if you are resident in Switzerland as a US Citizen on either a B or C permit, you do not have to pay US taxes. If you are in the B/C category & work for a US headquartered firm you do.
His wife is a Swiss tax accountant, so believe the source is credible.


Hey Polorise -
Would sure love to see the US Federal tax code that says that - because all my info says something quite different - the US Feds say all US citizens or green card holders are required to file. Paying depends on how the math works out. But do please attach a link so we all know we no longer have to file or pay.

will have a chat with my man & see what he comes up with.

You have to file a US tax return as a US citizen, regardless of where you live, who you work for, etc. Period. You have to file a US tax return.

link Has great FAQ section and is updated as of today.

Whether or not you have to pay back to the US depends on how much you make. Under USD 82,000 you do not have to pay taxes back to the US. Over and you do.

Hence, the double taxation part. You get taxed here and in the US for over USD 82,000.

Thanks for the link - I was wondering about the IRA account info...

I know. I was being intentionally obtuse.

I think that Texas thing has affected you..
...

Here is the double taxation convention in english:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-trty/swiss.pdf

I think an english/german/french version is on the website of the Swiss Embassy in the USA:

http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/...ea/wasaus.html


Give them a good read. There are some important things in there. These documents came in handy as our former community wasn't up to speed on how to deal with taxes between the US and Switzerland. Saved us a couple of bucks.