Americans renouncing citizenship to become British thanks to tax rise

The Telegraph ^ | 02 Mar 2013 | David Barrett

[Baynative]

London-based American lawyers, who specialise in tax and immigration, report a threefold increase over the last five years in the number of American citizens who are giving up their citizenship - a process known as “renunciation”.

Across the world 1,781 Americans renounced their citizenship in 2011 compared with just 231 in 2008, when US tax laws changed, although it remains unknown how many are adopting British rather than any other nationality.

Many decide to give up their American citizenship after tiring of the lengthy US tax return process, which requires them to pay tax on their total income regardless of where they live.

“There’s no question that the number of people renouncing their US citizenship is increasing,” said Diane Gelon, a US tax and immigration lawyer based in London.

[MaxMax]

If I had the money I would fight back, not run away.
Buy land next to a highway and put up billboards, for starters.

[Gene Eric]

It’s not about luck. I don’t have a choice in the matter.

[Mark17]

Hey Alex, I knew you would find your way here, just like me. Today, I met some semi influential people from Davao City, who would be willing to help us in any way they can. It always helps to know people.

[Lancey Howard]

This is really no surprise. Being an American doesn't have the emotional bond it once did.

Not even close. If I was wealthy I'd "renounce" US citizenship and sign up with some other nation in a heartbeat, a nation that doesn't paint a target on your back.

It seems a long time ago now that I served proudly in the Marines under Commander-in-Chief Ronald Reagan. I was actually proud to be an American back then. Today we have a sodomized, feminized, politically correct military that continues to slide down a slop hole under an America-hating African communist. It makes me throw up in my mouth a little.

The United States of America is now nothing more than a big land mass populated by cretins, ingrates, and parasites who have absolutely no respect for the military and who vote for big government to confiscate money from their neighbors so that it may be “redistributed” to them in exchange for their votes. It is not an America worth defending anymore. That America no longer exists.

The parasites outnumber the hosts now, and there’s no going back. America is dead.
The Democrats have won.

Even the immigrants, legal and illegal, don't come to America anymore because they want to be "Americans" - - they come here to vote Democrat and steal whatever they can by proxy. It's a shame. America had a great run but nothing lasts forever.

[Tzimisce]

So after supporting it, giving money to it, and voting for it they flee?

Just another day in Obamaland. :(

[AlexW]

“It’s not about luck. I don’t have a choice in the matter.”
______________________________________________

I concede that expatriating can be a hard choice for many, especially if with family.

[Mark17]

The parasites outnumber the hosts now, and there’s no going back. America is dead.The Democrats have won.

I believe you are correct sir. At the risk of being flamed, I think there is no hope for America either. We are finished as a country. I know some people are still confident we can turn this around. My opinion is, this could only happen through a civil war, so I am leaving the country soon. America was a nice experiment, but it has finally failed.

[3Fingas]

Change you can bereave in?

...No, I am not doing a bad Charlie Chan impersonation..

...Yes, I know who Charlie Chan is even though I am really not that old. :-D

[Vanders9]

It kind of depends on your income and your trade. True, the overall tax sink in the UK is certainly no better, but tax is applied differently. Depending on your circumstance, it certainly could be very worthwhile economically.

[Vanders9]

I would imagine that even if the number of Americans renouncing their citizenship to become Brits has gone up, the reverse process is still much higher.

[cynwoody]

Sir John Templeton

A knight of the realm who spoke with a Tennessee accent.

[Vanders9]

That is very noble of you, but I think you overlook the fact that the majority has turned its back on YOU. With over half of the population believing that a Marxist society would be just peachy keen, you must find yourself in a real dilemma.

Both the media, and the educational system in America is against you.

The answer to that is to persuade the majority to feel otherwise, before the facts of life catch up with the US and force them to realise they are wrong. Battles are not won by retreats. In any case, where in the world can you go to avoid greed, envy and sloth (the foundation stones of socialist systems)

[Vanders9]

I can empathise with you both. The situation is not good and getting worse, and the temptation to give up and shrug your shoulders can be very very strong. Socialism is sweet poison for the body politic. It tastes good (at first). It makes you feel good (initially). It makes you healthier and stronger (or at least it seems to). But in the end it will kill.

But just as the promises of socialism, the "fairness" and the "equality" are all just smoke and mirrors, so too is the strength of socialists. Their constant assertion that progression (their version) MUST and WILL occur is totally non verifiable. They win because of apathy and guilt and selfishness ("I'm not going to do anything because this particular issue is not my problem")

So I would urge you to reconsider, because when all is said and done, despondency is the enemy's greatest weapon.

[AlexW]

“The answer to that is to persuade the majority to feel otherwise”
_________________________________________
That is the problem in the US.
The majority has been persuaded to let dear leader Obumbo take care of them.
As I have posted many times, the media and education K-Grad school has been taken over by the Communist.
___________________________________

“In any case, where in the world can you go to avoid greed, envy and sloth (the foundation stones of socialist systems”
___________________________________________

Greed and envy exist everywhere, but here in the Philippines there is very little government control of ANYTHING, other then immigration.
The native population views life as what God has given them.
They expect and get nothing from the government.

[Gene Eric]

No, it’s not about the option of expatriating. It’s about commitment.

[AlexW]

“No, it’s not about the option of expatriating. It’s about commitment.”
______________________

Very noble...you have a commitment..A commitment to what, and how do you plan to carry it out?

[FreedomStar3028]

I’d say that’s all true, but the transition and final outcome is a threat to everyone in the world. Russia/China and all the other communist and muslim states will be able to do whatever they want with no fear of US intervention.

These are truly dark times, what bastion of Liberty is there left?

The decline of America will effect every human on Earth.

[Candor7]

anyone can tell me how I can give up my American citizenship while maintaining US residency, I’d love to know.>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Simple really. Pay all of your Taxes, Apply for renunciation with the State Department, do the renunciation , apply for a court ordered name change, and then apply for a green card.

You will have to NOT pay anymore taxes. Thats the trick.

[Truth29]

I can think of a number of countries I would like to check out, but Great Britain isn't one of them. In addition to a favorable tax climate, a possible target country for relocation needs to be stable, not have a runaway welfare state, and not being subject to invasion by hostile populations like Muslims.

[Chode]

i'd think the VAT tax would eat up any possible other advantage, hell the taxes on gas alone...