Alexa lives in the United Kingdom, but pays a heavy price for being American

“I have three children, all born abroad. They have never lived in the United States. I worry about their financial opportunities and tax obligations too. It would be a huge relief if their U.S. citizenship could be separate from their tax liability—just like every other country.”

— Alexa in the United Kingdom

Dear Congress, 

I was born in Indiana and lived and also worked in New York and Massachusetts until I was 30 years old. I now live in the United Kingdom—and am paying a heavy financial price for being American. 

I met my Italian husband at university and we left the United States after graduate school for work opportunities in Europe. My husband had a Green Card in the United States, but gave it up when we moved abroad. 

I file a U.S. tax return every year but I never owe anything because I don't work. It's just paperwork and stress. I prepare my own tax return as I always have and it doesn’t change much from year to year. It is not the cost that is prohibitive but the time and duplication involved. It’s also a waste of IRS resources since I never owe any U.S. income tax. 

The FBAR and FATCA paperwork are additional burdens that feel intrusive and scary. I cannot invest any savings in my name outside of the United States because of my U.S. citizenship. That makes me feel very vulnerable, since we have to keep all of our significant assets in my husband’s name. My U.S.-based brokerage accounts were also closed because I have a foreign address, depriving me of basic banking services in both Europe and the United States for the “sins” of being an American in Europe and for being an American who lives abroad. 

I have three children, all born abroad. They have never lived in the United States. I worry about their financial opportunities and tax obligations too. It would be a huge relief if their U.S. citizenship could be separate from their tax liability—just like every other country —as they have never lived in the United States and may not ever do so.

The U.S. Declaration of Independence promised all Americans the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” As an American abroad, I instead feel punished and financially trapped because of my U.S nationality. 

Please help end the double taxation of Americans abroad. Rep. Darin LaHood and Sen. Todd Young are finalizing the revised Residence-Based Taxation for Americans Abroad Act to help President Trump deliver on his campaign promise to end the double taxation of Americans abroad. Please help make it happen! More than 5 million Americans abroad are counting on you! 

Sincerely, 

Alexa in the United Kingdom