Let's file FBAR and FATCA even if we don't have to.

theOAP sent me this link to an NY Times article that describes how various EU Governments are going to get around the issues with FATCA and EU privacy laws so the financial institutions won't have the 30% withholding tax imposed on them.
Given that the IRS wants all this data and the rumour is that they are having difficulty processing all the information I say we add to their paperwork nightmare and file FBAR and FATCA even if we don't meet the account thresholds. I have an old UK non interest checking account with a few pounds in it and I might just file for that out of spite.


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/09/business/global/5-european-nations-agree-to-help-us-crack-down-on-tax-evasion.htm?_r=3

It's tempting but dangerous - these are not the sort of people you should set out to annoy. Furthermore, it would be ineffective since the IRS and the Treasury don't make the laws, they just implement them. This is a political issue.

Now compare what Republicans Abroad say:

http://www.republicansabroadeurope.org/expat_taxes

which I like with what Democrats Abroad say:

http://www.democratsabroad.org/

where I couldn't find anything specific.

So the Republicans get my donations and my vote in my swing state. I wouldn't normally vote Republican but I'm a single issue voter on this one.