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  • May 26, 2015 10:48 AM | Anonymous

    Reuters Press Release (May 26, 2015)

    "New survey finds US expat voting could impact 2016 Presidential Election"

    "Greenback Expat Tax Services conducted this survey with over 1,800 US expats in cooperation with the American Citizens Abroad Global Foundation (ACAGF), a section 501(c)(3) charitable organization focusing principally on educational matters to promote the interests of Americans abroad.

    "Both organizations intended for the survey to gather the opinions of overseas Americans on the issues that impact them most. One clear message the data reflected was the growing frustration with US tax laws, such as Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), a major US initiative to uncover US taxpayers hiding money overseas to avoid paying American taxes. FATCA requires individuals to report their offshore assets if they exceed certain thresholds and foreign financial institutions are now required to report information about the accounts of their American clients to the US. [...]

    "The respondents who answered said that they didn't vote were for the following reasons: 15% didn't know how to vote while living abroad, 9% didn't feel their vote would make a difference and 10% didn't feel that voting as an expat was important. [...]

    " 'The results of the survey are very important to the work that ACAGF and American Citizens Abroad, Inc. are doing on behalf of Americans living and working overseas. Identifying the problem areas and the concerns of this community helps our organizations better formulate policy and supports ACA, Inc.'s advocacy efforts with the legislature,' said Marylouise Serrato, Executive Director, American Citizens Abroad (ACA, Inc.), a sister section 501(c)(4) organization to American Citizens Abroad Global Foundation (ACAGF), a publicly-supported charity under section 501(c)(3).

    " 'ACA Global Foundation understands the importance of identifying the issues facing the community of Americans living and working overseas. Better understanding of our members' and supporters' issues helps us educate everyone, including Congress, as to the real needs of Americans living and working overseas,' said Charles Bruce, Chairman of ACAGF."

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/26/idUSnGNX4jnbWS+1c3+GNW20150526

  • March 02, 2015 3:47 PM | Anonymous

    American Citizens Abroad Global Foundation (ACAGF) released today a new video aimed at breaking down the merits of Residence-based taxation in a clear and simple way for key decision makers and the public. The video, entitled 21st Century Taxation of Americans Abroad: Citizenship-based taxation vs. Residence-based taxation is timely and important as the issue of how to tax Americans living and working overseas is gaining attention during Congressional review of comprehensive US tax reform.  The video is available for viewing on the ACA Global Foundation’s homepage at: www.acaglobalfoundation.org

     

    “Having a rational discussion of our outdated and uncompetitive current tax policy versus sound alternatives such as Residence-based taxation will help inform Congress in their development of new tax legislation,” said Charles Bruce, Chairman of ACAGF.

     

    In the video Professor Michael Kirsch of Notre Dame University presents the rationale for Citizenship-based taxation (CBT) while Dr. Bernard Schneider, Lecturer in International Tax Law at the Queen Mary University of London School of Law,

    presents recommendations for Residence-based taxation (RBT).

     

    “Significant research and education is needed to bring these issues to the attention of the American public and Congress,” said Jackie Bugnion, Tax Team Director of ACA, Inc. (ACAGF sister organization) “and our organizations have taken the lead in sponsoring informed debate and better understanding of these issues.”

     

    For more information on the need for Residence-based taxation and both ACA, Inc. and ACA Global Foundation’s work, please visit our websites at: www.americansabroad.org  and, www.acaglobalfoundation.org  or contact us at info@acaglobalfoundation.org or at +1 202 322 8441.

  • May 24, 2014 5:08 PM | Anonymous

    Entitled  “21st Century Taxation of Americans Abroad: Citizenship-based taxation vs. Residence-based taxation,” the symposium was held on Friday, May 2, 2014 in Toronto, Canada at St Michael’s College where an audience of over 70 participants attended to hear tax, law, banking and finance professionals debate on the tax treatment of overseas Americans. The issue of how to tax Americans living and working overseas is gaining attention as Congress grapples with the challenges facing overseas Americans.


    Marylouise Serrato, Executive Director of ACA, Inc. opened the conference on behalf of the Board of ACA Global Foundation. The morning debate was between two distinguished academics who have recently published groundbreaking papers on the issue of taxation of Americans abroad. Professor Michael Kirsch of Notre Dame University defended citizenship-based taxation (CBT) and Dr. Bernard Schneider, Teaching Fellow at Queen Mary University of London School of Law,recommended residence-based taxation (RBT). Professor Kirsch highlighted the community aspects of American citizenship as a basis for taxation whereas Dr. Schneider focused on the need for the law to adapt to the composition of Americans abroad and the realities faced by long-term overseas residents. The audience was highly engaged during the Q & A session that followed the formal debate.


    The afternoon session looked at the impact of current CBT policies on Americans abroad. Phil Hodgen, of Hodgen Law Group PC presented the legal point of view. David Kuenzi of Thun Financial Investments and Charles Cullen III of RBC Dominion Securities Inc. reviewed some of the restrictions by US law on investments of Americans abroad. Jim Yager, representing the American Chamber of Commerce, presented the issues from the businessperson’s point of view and reviewed the range of US fiscal reporting requirements for both individuals and businesses.  “Significant research and education is needed to bring these issues to the attention of the American public and Congress,” stated Jackie Bugnion in her closing remarks as she encouraged Americans abroad to support ACA Global Foundation through donations, which are tax deductible in the U.S.


    For more information on the conference and on ACA Global Foundation’s work, please visit the ACA Global Foundation website at:  www.acaglobalfoundation.org or contact us at info@acaglobalfoundation.org.

  • February 26, 2014 4:10 PM | Anonymous

    Non-profit foundation recently established to represent the interests of all Americans living and working overseas

     

    (Washington, D.C) February 26, 2014 – American Citizens Abroad (ACA) Global Foundation announced this week that Thomas L. Siebert has been appointed the newest member of the organization’s board. Ambassador Siebert will bring over 30 years of experience in international business and governmental affairs to the board and help ACA in its mission to represent the interests of all Americans overseas before policymakers in Washington, D.C., particularly on the issues of fair taxation and banking access.

    “I am extremely proud to be joining the ACA board and help elevate important issues affecting Americans overseas which often do not gain enough attention in the halls of Congress and the White House,” said Ambassador Siebert. “Americans overseas are hard-working voters who contribute to advancing  American exports and American business interests  around the world. The perception of Americans overseas needs to change and they deserve to have their voices heard. I look forward to working together with other members of the ACA Board and Executive Committee to make this happen.”

    Siebert served as U.S. Ambassador to Sweden from 1994 - 1998 under President Clinton and is a member of the Council of American Ambassadors. In 1998, he served as Chairman of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference and currently serves on the Diplomatic Council on Energy Security. This Council provides advice to Securing America's Energy Future (SAFE), a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization committed to reducing America's dependence on foreign oil and improving U.S. energy security. He also serves on the Board of Advisors of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Project which operates within the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Center for Human Rights.

    “Having Ambassador Siebert on the Board with his wide-ranging international experience and strong connections in Washington will be instrumental to helping ACA move its agenda forward,” said ACA Executive Director Marylouise Serrato. “As an organization, we continue to grow and expand our presence in Washington to ensure we are providing tangible results for our membership and the millions of Americans resident overseas.” 

    ACA is currently working to gain support in Congress towards adoption of its residency or territorial-based taxation platform as part of comprehensive tax reform efforts. Doing so will bring the U.S. in line with every other industrialized nation and make America more financially and economically competitive. ACA is also working with the Americans Abroad Caucus, chaired by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Congressman Mick Mulvaney (R-SC), to ensure that all Americans overseas have access to banking services and are not unfairly penalized due to Foreign Account Tax Compliance (FATCA) and Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) legislation.

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