Renouncing - consequences?

I've just signed up with UK Yankee, despite having moved to the UK in 1973, and being
 a dual US/UK national since 2000. I would be very grateful for advice from this articulate and well informed community.

I'm in my late 50s, with an exclusively British family (spouse, children, in-laws, grandchildren etc., none entitled to US citizenship and none a Green Card holder).

I am looking into renouncing my US citizenship. Many others are thinking of this too - each for their own reason(s).

In my case, the motivation is categorically NOT to try to avoid owing or paying taxes ... I have literally decades worth of completed US tax returns, with all the necessary FBARs, confirming that I have owed and continue to owe no US taxes anyway.

I am not a wealthy person, am no longer working, and have not worked for several years, in order to be able to meet the needs of dependent members of my family.

I already struggle to be able to afford appropriate professional support in tax-form preparation. Remaining compliant with what the US government asks of its overseas citizens is becoming unreasonably difficult to achieve. In filing my 2011 tax return, I spent 2 weeks in tears of desperation, trying to understand what was being asked of me, while being unable to access help - even from the IRS's own International Helpline. This ordeal won't get any easier for me either to afford or to cope with as I get older.

SO.... What I am seeking here is information from or about people who have renounced their US citizenship.

In particular, I would like to hear about/from people who have renounced their US citizenship regarding their experiences of seeking entry to the US as a tourist, for short visits (not moving back to the US), while traveling on any EU passport. 

Was entry to the US permitted?
Immediately or with delays?
If with delays, of what duration?
At which points of entry to the US?
Apart from being asked to show the relevant paperwork, were any other questions asked?
Any difficulties encountered?

What advice can you offer?

Many thanks to anyone who is able to comment constructively.

Are your children not eligible for US citizenship?

I don't believe anyone who posts on here has renounced their US citizenship yet.

No, they are not.

Our children were all born in the UK several years before 1986. Although their US parent (me) had lived in the US for 10 years, before their births, fewer than the minimum 5 of these had been after the parent's age of 14.

[BTW: In 1986, the law changed to make the US-residence requirement only 2 years after the age of 14.]

Reply to #2... perhaps someone knows someone who has?

Perhaps, but when the topic has come up before, no one has ever brought up the experiences. I'm not saying you won't get an answer, but don't be discouraged if no one replies.

Another forum I belong to (for expats living in Switzerland) has discussed this, and some members have renounced.

http://www.englishforum.ch/finance-banking-taxation/81839-nytimes-more-u-s-expats-giving-up-citizenship.html

http://www.englishforum.ch/general-off-topic/127212-renouncing-us-citizenship-specific-question.html

To #5: could you please tell me "when the topic has come up before" on this site - I have looked but cannot find anything relevant.

To #6: I have read right through these sites now (thank you for suggesting them) but can't see anything that answers my question. Lots of xenophobia, and many people complaining about taxation, but these are not my concerns (either way).

All useful tips or experience or knowledge gratefully received.

Many thanks.

I believe the last time it came up was here: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=74436.0

Dizzier, I am glad you are asking these questions as they are legitimate and may help someone in the future, but you have posted here in Welcome Wagon. Because there are options for individual forum members to be able to "ignore" certain parts of the forum, your questions may not be seen by people who may be in a position to help you. I'd kindly suggest that you re-post your questions in the Visas and Citizenship section found here: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?board=17.0

Good luck in your quest for answers! 

Thank you, Courtney. Very helpful.

I'll keep trying to find the answers I'm looking for, and will now check both sections for further useful replies.

Do a search on renouncing and you will find some previous threads.

 http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=68248.0

Perhaps, but when the topic has come up before, no one has ever brought up the experiences. I'm not saying you won't get an answer, but don't be discouraged if no one replies.

Well, have now also posted on the Citizenship part of the Forum... Quite a few views (altho fewer than here) but not a single reply. This is a lonely process.

Read this - may answer some of your questions.

http://renunciationguide.com/Rights-After-Expatriation.html

Read this - may answer some of your questions.

http://renunciationguide.com/Rights-After-Expatriation.html [nofollow]

Thank you. I have read every word of this website, including the whole of the FAQ list. I learned a lot.

I posted my original questions here (see top) because I am reluctant to rely on a single source of information on such an important point.

So, still waiting and hoping to hear....