If It’s Good Enough for the Pope, It’s Good Enough for Us. Help support ACA's efforts for tax fairness for all Americans living overseas.

Dear ACA Supporter,

A historic moment has opened an unexpected door for our cause.

On May 8, the Vatican elected Pope Leo XIV — formerly Robert Francis Prevost — the first American-born pope. With this unprecedented event came an equally unprecedented problem: the Pope is now subject to U.S. taxation on his worldwide income, thanks to America’s outdated citizenship-based tax system.

In response, lawmakers introduced the Holy Sovereignty Protection Act (H.R. 4501) to exempt Pope Leo XIV from U.S. taxation. But this raises a critical question: If the Pope deserves relief, why not the 5 million other Americans living abroad?

As ACA Executive Director Marylouise Serrato told Tax Notes, “What’s good enough for the pope should be good enough for the [expatriate] community.” And she’s right. The burdens of citizenship-based taxation — from complex reporting requirements to banking discrimination — affect all Americans abroad, not just those in the Vatican.

That’s why ACA continues to champion the Residence-Based Taxation for Americans Abroad Act (H.R. 10468), introduced by Rep. Darin LaHood. This bill would allow Americans overseas to be taxed only on U.S.-source income, aligning our system with the rest of the world and restoring fairness, simplicity, and dignity to our tax code.

But we need your help to make it happen.

The LaHood bill is gaining traction, and the Pope’s situation has brought new visibility to our cause. With your support, ACA can:

• Amplify our advocacy in Congress and the media 
• Update data to demonstrate the value of this policy
• Mobilize grassroots campaigns to engage lawmakers 

This will help ensure RBT is included in upcoming legislation

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The conversation is happening now — and ACA is leading it. But we can’t do it without you.

Please consider donating today:

• $25-$100 helps us distribute educational materials to lawmakers 
• $250 supports outreach to media and influencers 
• $500 funds direct advocacy in Washington, D.C.
• $1,000 goes towards expert policy analysis 
• $2,500+ makes you a key partner in our legislative strategy

Let’s make sure that fairness isn’t reserved for popes alone. It’s time for all Americans abroad to be treated with equal respect under the law.

With gratitude,
American Citizens Abroad