ACA VOICE Q1 2018

 

 
 

How To Get Involved

Contact Your Members of Congress

ACA’s website now hosts several links that can help you contact members of Congress.They include addresses, fax numbers, sample letters and general advice on contacting a member of Congress. Remember, our efforts depend on our Representatives continuously hearing from Americans abroad. Tell your Representatives in Congress to support RBT!

Testimonials

Send us your testimonials on how current legislation is affecting you.  These testimonials are important to our advocacy work but even more important is your work in contacting your own Congressional representative.  We ask you to write to your representative today and let him or her know your thoughts and personal experience, and please send a copy to ACA as well. 

You can also support our work by writing directly to the Tax Committees responsible for tax reform and asking for Residency-based taxation (RBT) and submitting comments to those committees holding hearings on tax reform.

You can also write your own Representatives in Congress about Residency-based taxation (RBT) and your support for it.  Tell them about yourself, so that they learn about a real-life overseas American. 

Join Us!

If you haven’t done so already, Join ACA!  Since 1978, ACA has been the “Voice of Americans Overseas,” advocating for and defending the rights of U.S. citizens living and working abroad.

 

ACA on the Web, Facebook, and Twitter


ACA’s website and its quarterly News Updates are its key communication channels to ACA members and to the millions of Americans all over the world. The ACA website includes a wealth of information: descriptions of the impact of U.S. laws on the various issues – citizenship, voting, Social Security, Medicare, banking and taxes – as well as ACA position papers, references to ACA in the press and a multitude of links to press articles related to ACA issues.

Many members and supporters follow ACA on Facebook, and this provides ACA with an opportunity to connect with them on a more regular basis. To get the most immediate, up-to-date information on ACA’s work and initiatives visit us on Facebook or our website, and sign up for our Twitter feed. Visit us on:

ACA FB Twitter

 

Support ACA


There are many ways you can support ACA.  The best way is to become a member, so we can count on your ongoing support in our efforts to make changes in Washington, D.C., on your behalf.

In addition, you can volunteer, or make a donation to support our cause.  ACA has a number of volunteer positions available. As long as you have an internet connection, anywhere in the world, we could use your help!

To join ACA and get access to State-side banking services visit us online. 

ACA does not provide individual tax filing advice. For professional tax services please see the ACA Tax Preparer Directory.


RBT 

Advertise with ACA

Are you looking to reach Americans overseas? Do you have a company or service targeting Americans overseas? Then consider advertising with ACA.

 

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Disclaimer:  This information was provided by a volunteer board member of ACA as a service to fellow U.S. citizens. While ACA and its Board members make every effort to transmit accurate information, such information is not considered a substitute for qualified professional advice. 
ACA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate, advocate and inform both the U.S. government and U.S. citizens living and working overseas on issues of concern to the overseas U.S. citizen community. ACA works to find practical solutions to resolve issues impacting overseas U.S. citizens and communicates results to constituents stateside and abroad. ACA is the premier thought-leader on issues affecting U.S. citizens living and working overseas.

American Citizens Abroad, Inc. (ACA, Inc.) is a section 501 (c)(4) tax-exempt, non-profit, nonpartisan, volunteer organization.

Alongside is American Citizens Abroad Global Foundation, a publicly-supported charity under section 501(c)(3).

 

 

  
Hello [firstname],

The quarterly ACA Voice focuses on in-depth analysis of core issues relevant to Americans abroad. For frequent news updates and information on ACA developments, be sure to visit our website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed. 

 

Important: Don't forget! 

Although H.R. 1 has passed and does not include tax reform for Americans overseas, there are strong indications that Congress will soon return to the subject of tax law changes to make corrections in what was done and to address issues that were postponed. ACA has already highlighted some of the areas of the new law that adversely affect Americans overseas in its recent update, TAX REFORM BILL AND AMERICANS ABROAD: WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT'S. There are champions in the House, Senate and in the Leadership that want to see tax reform for Americans overseas enacted. This is why ACA has called on Congress to hold hearings on the subject. It is time for the Congress to review every aspect of tax reform for Americans overseas, the background, the workings of existing law, the numbers, the real-life stories, all need to be aired, and now’s the time to do it. In this manner, Congress will have all the elements it needs to write and pass legislation. https://www.americansabroad.org/news/aca-calls-on-congress-to-hold-hearings-on-taxation-of-americans-abroad/

 

How will this happen, and how can you help? Donate! ACAGF is continuing to raise funds to support ACA's advocacy work in Washington, DC. It is important for ACA to keep the focus on RBT and build on the work that has been done to raise awareness for RBT and testify at hearings. ACA's advocacy work is critical and so is your support.  


YOU ARE URGED TO GO TO THE ACA WEBSITE AND CONTRIBUTE. PLEASE GIVE THIS YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. http://acaglobalfoundation.org/donate


RBT
 

Latest News

 
Treasury Department provides some relief from the new transition tax for Americans Overseas
The Treasury Department and IRS have published Notice 2018-26 providing a measure of relief from the new transition tax. The transition tax, generally speaking, imposes tax on certain accumulated earnings in a foreign control corporation owned by US shareholders. Among other things, it can hit American individuals residing abroad who own a foreign corporation. This corporation might be labeled something ... [More Info]
 
ACA writes to Treasury urging relief from certain reporting requirements in the Tax Cuts and Job Acts affecting Americans Abroad
March 22, 2018 ACA writes to Treasury urging relief from certain reporting requirements in the Tax Cuts and Job Acts affecting Americans Abroad. See letter here. [More Info]
 
Residency-Based Taxation: It’s Happening Now
Washington, D.C. March 22, 2018   Residency-Based Taxation: It’s Happening Now   What’s happened recently?  What’s happening now?  What’s next? The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) or HR1 was signed into law just before last Christmas. Because of the rush to get this done, no consideration was given to Americans abroad. Not just to the subject of moving away ... [More Info]
 
IRS ENDS OVDP
The IRS has announced that it is ending the Overseas Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) in September of 2018, see: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-to-end-offshore-voluntary-disclosure-program-taxpayers-with-undisclosed-foreign-assets-urged-to-come-forward-now The Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program was implemented in 2009 and designed to bring forth “bad actors” or those willfully involved in tax evasion by offering a compliance program with stiff penalties but no federal prosecution. The number of taxpayer disclosures under ... [More Info]
 
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO) 2018 REPORT ON WORKPLACE RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS AND FATCA
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) asked ACA, and other stakeholders, for input into a report on unclaimed retirement accounts and foreign pensions. ACA was able to provide information on the effects of FATCA and the reporting issues surrounding the legislation. The final report focuses on key challenges U.S. participants face with: (1) unclaimed retirement accounts in the United States, and (2) complying with U.S. ... [More Info]
 
Congressman George Holding (R-NC) Receives ACA Benjamin Franklin Award
Press Release Date:  January 31, 2018 Washington, DC Headline: Congressman George Holding (R-NC) received ACA Benjamin Franklin Award for service on behalf of the Overseas American community.   American Citizens Abroad, Inc. (ACA) and American Citizens Abroad Global Foundation (ACAGF) are pleased to announce that Congressman George Holding (R-NC) has been awarded ACA’s Benjamin Franklin Award.  The ACA Benjamin Franklin ... [More Info]

 

 

ACA in the Media


 
Clearance Jobs.com (March 22, 2018)
 
The American (March-April 2018 Edition)
Taxing Americans Abroad - Congress Draws Breath
 
 
 
 

Upcoming ACA Events

 
ACA Town Hall Evening Geneva Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Taxation and Tax Planning for Americans in Switzerland after the Passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Focusing on ACA’s efforts in Washington, Tax Planning for Individuals and Small Business Planning & Impact   
 
On-line Registration is preferred: Please register in advance – No Charge for ACA Members who register in advance... [More Info]

 
 
ACA Town Hall Evening London
The next annual London Town Hall Evening will take place during the summer, date and venue to be confirmed shortly.  

 

Check Out Members-only Content


Don’t forget that ACA members have access to the Members-only section with exclusive ACA content.
 
Past issues of the ACA newsletter along with our entire member-only E-blast mailings; updates, press releases, media articles, can also be found in the Members-only section.
 
Visit today for exclusive content available only to ACA members. Let us know what you think!

SDFCU
ACA-Members/SDFCU Account - Did you know?
 
  • As an ACA member, you have access to State Department Federal Credit Union (SDFCU) U.S banking services. Visit https://www.americansabroad.org/aca/sdfcuaccounts-description-and-faqs/ to learn more.
  • You can get debit card ATM and ISA Fees reimbursed up to $15 or $25 a month with an Advantage or Privilege Checking Account. Learn more about SDFCU Checking accounts at www.sdfcu.org/Checking
  • You can avoid foreign transaction fees with an SDFCU Visa Platinum Card, plus get a low APR and earn rewards. Visit www.sdfcu.org/credit-cards to learn more.
  • If you need help developing a savings plan or need tips on how to avoid identity theft, you can take advantage of the free financial counseling BALANCE Program available through SDFCU . View the online tools today at https://www.balancepro.net/partners/sdfcu/index.html.
  • SDFCU offers both prime and premiere money market accounts which allow up to six pre-authorized transfers a month. Learn more at https://www.sdfcu.org/savings.
 
 
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Visit us at: www.americansabroad.org