Quote:
Originally Posted by DaddyHalbucks
If it helps the US Treasury prevent cheating, I can't see how it is a bad thing.
|
Tell ya DH - I would almost agree with that straightforward reason
It is correct that any person should pay whatever taxation is due wherever they elect to live and not try to scam revenue agencies.
But... the "almost agree" goes so far in that any US citizen who is not even resident in the US has the burden and dubious "privilege" of being chased worldwide for any dime they earn and being burdened by silly annual filings to the IRS - even tho they may never have lived, travelled to, or have any connections with the US for 25 years. That is sure not within the spirit of any "freedoms" or "values" - it's simply boring control, distasteful and greedy.
There are even instances of... eg... citizens of other countries who happen to marry a US citizen and where the IRS actually have the gall to seek taxation from a foreign individual in respect of possible benefits/earnings re their spouse
A fair number, least of the people I know, just tell the IRS to get stuffed - they have no "obligation" to pay anything to the IRS and never will have if they don't live or earn within the US.
Only controlled and usually oppressive regimes treat their citizens like that and sadly the US is in the company of places like Lybia and Saudi in this respect. No other countries chase their citizens while they are not even resident in their "home country" for taxation.
People only have one life - they are entitled to live that life wherever they want and in whatever manner suits them. They did not choose a country to be born in or be burdened by taxation for the rest of their lives from the "priviledge" of being born in the wrong area. Anyone is obliged to pay taxation in the country they reside - not continue to pay taxation if they don't even live there.
Obviously for legal reasons it is unwise to even remain a US citizen re the above, but hell, the law is an ass and can sympathise with US folks who live elsewhere and still "controlled" by an unfortunate/non-free jurisdiction at birth.