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riverbendviewgal

(4,253 posts) Fri Dec 19, 2014, 12:26 PM Dec 2014

From Huff Post - Canadian writes why she does not to become a US citizen

I checked the DU site and this has not been put up as far as I can tell.

With all the latest good and horrible news it was probably missed.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/shannon-m-nelson/american-citizen-taxes_b_6348984.html

It is worth a read. She is a very smart person, a very good writer. so read the article...

Why I Don't Want to Become an American Citizen
Posted: 12/18/2014 5:59 pm EST Updated: 12/18/2014 5:59 pm EST

As a Canadian living in the United States (legally -- I'm a permanent resident), Americans routinely ask me when I'm going to become a U.S. citizen. "I can't wait to throw a party for you when you become an American," gushed one California friend on the golf course the other day.

In fact, all my U.S. friends automatically assume that once the most precious gift of American citizenship is available to me, I'll jump all over it. It's always interesting to watch their reactions when I tell them "no thank you."

On the surface, the benefits of U.S. citizenship look fairly appealing: I get to vote, no one can deport me, I'm eligible for social security, and God forbid, I can even run for public office (although sadly I can't be President).

Plus, if you're Canadian, you are no longer required to renounce your Canadian citizenship to become a naturalized American.

"Why then," a realtor I know here in the U.S. asked recently, "wouldn't you want to become a U.S. citizen?"

4 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

From Huff Post - Canadian writes why she does not to become a US citizen (Original Post) riverbendviewgal Dec 2014 OP

It costs over 2 grand to renounce your citizenship? And... TreasonousBastard Dec 2014 #1

They're fond of finding ways to deny the attempt to renounce, too Posteritatis Dec 2014 #4

and again this does not address the issue DonCoquixote Dec 2014 #2

you have misunderstood this article riverbendviewgal Dec 2014 #3

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)

1. It costs over 2 grand to renounce your citizenship? And...

Reply to riverbendviewgal (Original post)

Fri Dec 19, 2014, 12:42 PM

Dec 2014

that's after paying your back taxes.

But they can't get an extra nickel out of the Walton family...

Posteritatis

(18,807 posts)

4. They're fond of finding ways to deny the attempt to renounce, too

Reply to TreasonousBastard (Reply #1)

Fri Dec 19, 2014, 06:57 PM

Dec 2014

Typo in a form a few years back? Welp! Gotta go through another audit before you can try again...

It's a pretty good way to jerk around someone who's a US citizen because they were born there but moved out of the country when they were six months old or something. That affects a lot of people here, who get lumped in with one-percenters playing tax games even if the first digit of their annual income has yet to be larger than a 3.

DonCoquixote

(13,616 posts)

2. and again this does not address the issue

Reply to riverbendviewgal (Original post)

Fri Dec 19, 2014, 02:24 PM

Dec 2014

the mega rich that would be citizens of one country, but live here. Do we really want European or Asian super rich to come here and then pay no tax?

riverbendviewgal

(4,253 posts)

3. you have misunderstood this article

Reply to DonCoquixote (Reply #2)

Fri Dec 19, 2014, 06:50 PM

Dec 2014

The Canadian lady is working and living in the USA. She must file US tax returns, including reporting what is in her Canadian bank accounts to the IRS. The Canadian government does not require her to file Canadian taxes while resides out of Canada.

You got it mixed up.

Those rich Chinese must file US taxes while living in the US and also report their investments and bank accounts that are in China and elsewhere in the world.

Green card holders all must do this. Most are not aware of this. Even when they move back to their homeland.

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