Exploring Issues of US Citizenship–Info Session

I've noticed this event will be taking place on 2 March in London and am passing it on strictly as a "OAP Public Service Announcement" (no endorsement).

Exploring Issues of US Citizenship–Info Session
Sunday, March 2, 2014
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

http://www.meetup.com/American-US-Expats-Abroad/events/166898532/

It is co-ordinated by the Isaac Brock Society from Canada, a web site which debates current events regarding the taxation of US Persons abroad. The purpose of the session appears to be a meeting primarily for those who are just learning of their obligations for filing US taxes, which would include the "Accidental Americans" and those Americans abroad who were unaware of the obligation.

It appears to be less of a "compliance fear mongering" session, and more of a general discussion for those suffering the initial shock of discovery; who is a US Person; what's involved with US taxes; and the broader issues (the emotional shock to discussions on renouncing or relinquishing).

The speaker is John Richardson, a barrister and solicitor from Toronto who has done several of these sessions across Canada. FATCA and CBT have had wide exposure in Canada (far in excess to the coverage in the UK) and the sessions have been well attended with positive feedback.

As for MR. Richardson's credentials, he has co-authored the two following papers:

REQUEST FOR TAX RULES CHANGES FOR U.S. CITIZENS OVERSEAS:
A SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE

http://citizenshipsolutions.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/RichardsonYatesKishJan232014SFCSubmission.pdf

REQUEST FOR PFIC TAX RULES CHANGES FOR U.S. CITIZENS OVERSEAS:
A SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE

http://citizenshipsolutions.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/PFICs-and-Americans-Abroad-Feb614.pdf

NOTE there is a £15 fee to cover the cost of the venue.

Again, this a is an OAP Public Service Announcement, and I offer no opinion one way or the other as to the potential quality of this session. I do not know MR. Richardson nor have I heard him speak. If you are aware of anyone who may benefit from such a session, you may wish to pass this info along.

   
 

It might be interesting, but you'll only get one side of the issue. They definitely have an agenda.

It might be interesting, but you'll only get one side of the issue. They definitely have an agenda.

   

Care to elucidate?

UPDATE

I've had a request to alert those who might be interested of another meeting to be held in London this coming Monday. There have been a number of posts recently on this forum concerning renouncing/relinquishing US Citizenship. This session may be of value to anyone considering those actions, or to meet individuals who may have already completed those actions. It may be an opportunity to discuss both the technical (and filing) issues as well as the emotional issues involved. 

29 February 2016
18:30 to 20:30
University of London, International Hall Meeting Room
Landsdowne Terrace, WC1N 1AS
Nearest Underground is the Russell Square Tube Station 
£15 admission, payable at the door

The details may be found here, including a link to the map:
http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/information-sessions/

Again, this is a theOAP public service announcement. I am not associated with these sessions in any way. This is simply an advisory for anyone who may be interested. I will not be attending this session, and I have never attended one of these sessions, so I can not advise as regards its contents.

John Richardson is knowledgeable concerning US tax filing, but I assume this meeting will not be a "how to file", "what to file" US tax session.

If you know of anyone who may be interested in this session, but may not see this post, you may wish to pass along the details.