Solving the Problems of US Citizenship-Kingston ON

An Information Session for What You Need to Know

This information session is provided by Toronto-based lawyer John Richardson for people affected by the USA’s extra-territorial tax overreach (which violates Canada’s sovereignty). If you are an alleged US person and you have become aware that the US claims that you should be filing your taxes as well as information returns, please do nothing, do not enter the OVDP program or the Streamlined program, and above all, do not call a US cross border tax specialist (neither a lawyer nor an accountant), until you educate yourself first. The paid experts have a vested interest in offering only the IRS’ way to compliance. They are legally bound to do so. There are many options on how to approach this situation and there is no “one size fits all" solution.

If you are a Canadian citizen or resident of Canada, you havespecific rights and protections that FATCA cannot revoke. This is why this information session will be useful to you. It will define and explore all your options. If you have recently seen/heard some of the CBC programs concerning this issue, the important thing is to stay calm. Do not panic. Do not react to this situation and above all, do not believe anything you hear. Take your time to make the decisions that are appropriate to your situation. Do not enter any of the disclosure programs unless you are certain they are right for you.

No seminar for the general public can provide reliable legal advice. Your job is simply to begin gathering information and beginning to understand the new reality of U.S. citizenship abroad.

What follows is an outline of some of the topics that will be covered. The session is NOT intended to provide legal advice. It is intended to help you identify the issues that may apply to your situation.

The topics covered are designed to alert you to issues and are NOT offered as legal or accounting advice specific to your situation. They include:

Citizenship Issues

• Are you STILL a U.S. citizen?
• Are your children U.S. citizens?
• What might FATCA mean for me?
  -What is an “Accidental American?”

Tax Issues

• Filing U.S. tax returns – what’s involved?
• Filing information returns (FBAR, Form 3520, 8938, 5471, etc.)
• Reasonable cause (avoiding penalties)

Financial Planning Issues

• Investment products that cause problems

Does it make sense to renounce or relinquish U.S.
citizenship?

• Renouncing U.S. citizenship
  -Relinquishing U.S. citizenship

Each session will have a $20 admission fee (to offset the costs of the room, online listings and speaker's travel) which is payable in cash at the door. No videotaping, audiotaping or photographing (camera or cell phone) will be permitted. Anyone attempting any of these will be escorted to the door immediately. You will not be asked to register or identify yourself in any way. We understand completely, your need to be anonymous. In addition to the lawyer, there will be support people (who are presently going through or have been through) what is involved who can answer your questions and listen.