>
Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 17:22:44 +0200
X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 7.1.0.9
I think my answer would be simple: don't become a US citizen if you
don't have to.
Being US prevents you from access to certain securities, forces you
to file (and possibly pay) taxes, etc, etc.
Too much hassle for probably not much benefit.
Additionally, I believe the following is true: if you become US, then
decide you are not interested anymore (for the reasons above), you
will have to justify your actions and pretty much prove that it has
nothing to do with fiscal evasion, which will probably (that's my
guess) be a real pain and a large lawyer fee.
Laurent
At 16/5/2007 15:46, Dan Barrowman wrote:
>Hi, we are a married couple, I'm American and my wife is Swiss and we
>have one child. We are debating whether my wife should apply for US
>citizenship. We may move to Switzerland in the next couple of years and
>I'm wondering what the US tax consequences might be.
>
> >From what I
>understand, I have to file US taxes regardless of where I work, since
>I'm a US citizen. Right now we always file jointly since my wife isn't
>working yet and it's a big tax break. However, this will change in the
>future. I also understand that usually the first $80,000 is exempt from
>US tax, but this could change. At one time they came close to
>eliminating this 'tax break' for ex-pats.
>
>Assuming we moved to
>Switzerland, can we file US taxes separately (just for me basically)
>and only have my income possibly subject to US taxes? Or will her
>income have to be declared anyway? How does our child factor into this,
>if at all? Can the child be declared as a full dependent in this case?
>
>In
>the worst case, would we ever be double taxed? Or would we basically
>end up paying a total tax that is the highest of the two countries?
>
>If I have to declare my wife's income no matter what, then basically
>it doesn't matter whether she is a US citizen or not.
>
>Also, can my wife apply for US citizenship even if we move to
>Switzerland? She already meets the criteria now.
>
>I'd like to hear from people who have been or in this situation.
>
>Thanks,
>Dan
Received on Wed May 16 2007 - 09:24:49 PDT
