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Purpose and summary This post is motivated by another incredibly frustrating discussion I had with someone this morning. The problem is aggravated by the reliance on a financial planner selecting the composition of a TFSA portfolio aggravated by what (in my opinion) is unnecessary churning of the account. While it is important that U.S. citizens in Canada DO have TFSAs, it is also important that…

Introduction In my last post about the TFSA, I suggested that the time had come to pressure Canada’s Competent Authority to engage with U.S. Treasury to agreement that Canadian TFSA should be treated as a “pension” under Article XVIII of the Canada U.S. tax treaty. Specifically Article XVIII includes: Here is what the Canada/U.S. tax treaty says in Article XVIII: (b) The term “pensions” also…

Introduction and purpose This is a quick “public service” post. Please think carefully about the general message. U.S. tax compliance for Americans abroad is somewhere between difficult and impossible. There are many reasons. The reasons include (but are not limited to): U.S. taxation of income sourced in your country of residence that is NOT taxable in your country of residence. Some well known…

Introduction On April 26, 2024 I submitted a comment to the OMB arguing that the time had come for Treasury to exempt Americans abroad from the FBAR filing requirement. I published the comment in the form of a post at my citizenship solutions site. I am in the process of preparing a presentation called “The Life And Times Of Mr. FBAR” for a professional conference at the end of June. As part of…

Podcast – Effective April 13, 2026 the fee to renounce U.S. citizenship was reduced from $2350 USD to $450. Who does this reduction benefit? How does it benefit them? Will this provide incentives to renounce?@VLJeker and @ExpatriationLaw discuss relief procedures, exit taxes… — John Richardson – Counsellor for US persons abroad (@ExpatriationLaw) June 1, 2026 On March 12, 2026 the State…

Introduction Today Petros commenting here asked the following question:   “At the end of the day, nobody has a statutory right (with the possible exception of U.S. citizens) to enter the United States.” I know border guards have asked me questions about my intention for returning to my own country when I was still an American, even asking where I was staying. These question imply that as US…

SEAT “Stop American Extraterritorial Taxation” is an organization created under French law to provide education and advocacy about the reality and problems of U.S. citizenship taxation. It was founded in 2020. Since that time SEAT has done excellent research, writing and advocacy. In 2023 SEAT President Dr. Laura Snyder published a paper called “Can Extraterritorial Taxation Be…

I haven’t posted at Brock for a while. Although I have some ideas for some interesting posts, I wanted to create a very short post about the renunciation interview. This isn’t major and it isn’t something you (probably) don’t know, but here goes … Note that effective November 1, 2024 there has been a very significant change in the renunciation process which is reflected in the new DS-4079. Here…

History doesn’t repeat itself exactly. But it often rhymes! Then and now – Issac Brock and @isaacbrocksociety.bsky.social have been supporters of a free and independent Canada.More about Sir Isaac Brock below …www.cbc.ca/news/politic… — Isaac Brock Society (@isaacbrocksociety.bsky.social) 2026-04-24T18:49:03.474Z The  article linked above featured in the Bluesky post above, CBC reporter John…

Interesting discussion about the role of tax."The Price of Democracy: The Revolutionary Power of Taxation in American History" between @heatherrichardson.bsky.social and @vanessawilliamson.bsky.socialTaxation is American and America is taxation!heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/american-c… — John Richardson (@expatriationlaw.bsky.social) 2026-04-20T01:43:12.212Z F. Scott Fitzgerald of “The…

As goes tax policies of a nation, so goes the survival of the civilization.BC Law Prof Ray Madoff explains how and why the US tax system has created tremendous inequality and "aristocracy". Bottom line: "Salaries are for suckers"This video is worth watching!www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/o… — John Richardson (@expatriationlaw.bsky.social) 2026-04-19T11:57:05.254Z Thanks to long time Brock…

When tax compliance is weaponized because of the "status" of an individual there is a risk in attempting compliance and a risk in non-compliance. The undocumented in the USA have a lot in common with US citizens outside the USA. (NYTImes.com gift article)www.nytimes.com/2026/04/14/u… — John Richardson (@expatriationlaw.bsky.social) 2026-04-17T12:52:36.628Z Part A – Why tax systems be restricted…

Fascinating discussion between two well known naturalized U.S. citizens – @davidfrum.bsky.social and Fareed Zakaria – about the the meaning of U.S. citizenship and where the U.S. is today. Consensus: USA has changed and not for the better.youtu.be/hHEoPFrZIhw?… — John Richardson (@expatriationlaw.bsky.social) 2026-04-08T21:46:20.478Z This post is NOT for everybody. But, it is a fascinating…

Prologue On Wednesday April 1, 2026 the Supreme Court of the United States will hear the “Trump v. Barbara” case. This issue is whether birth on U.S. soil is sufficient to confer U.S. citizenship regardless of the legal status of the parents. You can listen to the live argument on the Supreme Court site. It all takes place on Wednesday April 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. This case will be…