Getting ACA’s “Same Country Exemption” Passed

It is important for all United States citizens living and working abroad to understand the American Citizens Abroad’s Same Country Exemption. This will have an important effect on expats and specifically on Expatriate Tax Returns.

The National Taxpayer Advocate has recently come out in full support of regulatory changes to both FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) and FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act). This would make it easier for American expatriates living overseas to report tax information. At Expatriate Tax Returns, we believe that it is already a very confusing and onerous process for American expats to file their tax returns and we’re in favor of easing this process. All expats are encouraged to help the American Citizens Abroad (ACA) gather the documentation it needs to go back to the table for meetings with the U.S. Treasury.

If you are an American resident overseas and have had a foreign financial institution close one or several of your financial accounts or have been denied banking services, it is important that you send your testimony to the ACA via email to info@americansabroad.org. If any foreign financial institution is denying you services or the ability to open a financial account due to FATCA, U.S. tax legislation or because of the fact that you are an American citizen, it is important that you let them know so you can work with ACA and the government to get these restrictions overturned. American Citizens Abroad requests that you notify them before the deadline on May 15th 2015.

Together, we can work to make it easier and less stressful for American citizens to live and work abroad. At Expatriate Tax Returns, we put our expat clients first and want them to have a worry-free experience when it comes to expat taxes.