Are you a Canadian resident traumatized by the IRS?

The first therapy session for U.S. citizens abroad. What follows is a description of an event that took place in Toronto, Canada in June of 2013.

Traumatized by the IRS and US reaching into Canada? (UPDATE 3: London, England too)

Traumatized by the IRS and US reaching into Canada? (UPDATE 3: London, England too)

See the numerous comments here:

Traumatized by the IRS and US reaching into Canada? (UPDATE 3: London, England too)

Update 3:

Those in or near  London, England  might be interested that a similar event to take place there on Sunday, July 28, 2013, is in the works. I will post the details as they become available.

UDPATE 2:

Saturday, June 15

Don Mills United Church – 126 O’Connor Dr., Toronto, Ontario M4K 2K7

Click here for directions (at the corner of Pape and O’Connor, see google maps).  There is some street parking.

Doors will open at 9:45 a.m.

UPDATE 1:

1. There is to be no taping/recording/videoing of ANY part of the day.
2. The day will be extended to encourage more people to attend.
3. Attendance is free.

The morning session will focus primarily on the emotional issues and the afternoon session on practical issues.

Session I:  The Financial and Emotional Costs of U.S. Citizenship Abroad

• When: Saturday June 15, 2013 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
• Where: Downtown Toronto – Near U of T – Final location posted on June 13
• Who: a Senior Licensed Psychologist

Description:  Since 2011, the Obama administration has subjected millions of people Living outside the United States to a vicious attack. This includes Reaching into Canada. The IRS has literally threatened millions of innocent persons living outside the United States with fines exceeding their personal wealth–up to 380% of their financial assets. For many, this experience has taken a toll on their mental and physical health, and that has been even greater than the financial damage. A psychologist will address the emotional issues associated with the threats and demands that IRS is making. He will describe his own emotional experience and encourage others to share their own emotional reactions to these circumstances. Strategies will be discussed on how to cope with the stress caused by the IRS and the difficulties of living as a U.S. person abroad.

Session II:  US Citizenship Abroad and Compliance Issues – Where we have come from.  Where we are. Where we may be going

• When: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Who:  An experienced Toronto lawyer
• What: Focus on more practical issues

Description:  Beginning in the summer of 2011 the IRS aided by the media and cross-border professionals began a relentless attack on U.S. citizens in Canada. The spectre of FATCA has worsened the situation. The purpose of this session will be to review:

• Summer of 2011 – where we have come from
• 2011 to now – where we are now
• 2014 and onwards – where we may be going

What might this mean for U.S. citizenship in Canada? What are some possible responses? How can/should you respond to a difficult situation?

Please note that although this event will take place on June 15, it is NOT a session on how to file a U.S. tax return. The discussion will however include relevant U.S. tax issues and reporting/information returns.

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You may feel you need help because:

1. You are or have been threatened by the imposition of life-altering fines for failing to file information returns you had no reason to know existed.
2. You feel victimized by the Canadian and other non-U.S. media, who have constantly referred to you as a “tax cheat” and advised you to “come clean”. You know that you are not a criminal. You have always been completely tax compliant in Canada. The world seems upside down. Could it be that you really are a criminal?  What about the United States? Can the United States really be this unjust? Has your patriotism been misguided and misplace?
3. You feel “taken advantage of” by the so-called “cross-border professionals” You don’t know what to believe. You don’t know who to trust. You are losing your capacity to trust anyone.
   You just want to be compliant with the law, but you receive conflicting advice, and nobody seems to be able to tell you how to do it, yet they are asking for “huge” fees.
4. You feel completely misunderstood by the non-U.S. citizens in your life. They can’t understand the feelings of fear, betrayal and injustice that you feel. In some cases, this experience has put your marriage at risk.
5. Your health has been dramatically affected by threats from the Obama administration. You can’t sleep. You worry. You have gained or lost weight. You are no longer the happy person you were. You feel that your life has been stolen from you.

First published May 27, 2013