AT5: American Amsterdammers are giving up their U.S. citizenship

According to a broadcast by AT5, a growing number of American Amsterdammers are renouncing their U.S. citizenship. The combination of double taxation and political dissatisfaction with the United States is driving a wave of renunciations. Americans Overseas supports those going through this costly and lengthy process.

Required to file taxes in two countries

Dirk, who prefers not to have his full name published, was born in the United States while his parents were temporarily working there. He only lived in the U.S. for three or four months, but still holds an American passport. “I wasn’t allowed to leave the country without a passport,” he says. Today, like many other American Amsterdammers, he is in the process of renouncing his American citizenship.

“The main reason is financial. In addition to paying tax on my gross income in the Netherlands, I also have to pay taxes in the U.S.”

Renouncing U.S. citizenship is a long and bureaucratic process. “I’ve been working on it for over a year and have already accumulated a stack of invoices.” Dirk hopes to complete the process later this year.

Political climate plays a growing role

According to Daan Durlacher, founder of Americans Overseas, U.S. tax regulations have long been a major reason why people give up their citizenship. But another factor has become increasingly important: the political climate in the U.S. “You can hear it in conversations — for many, it’s the final emotional push. People wonder: is this really still a country I want to be a part of?”

Fear of visibility and social media

Many American citizens living in the Netherlands are hesitant to speak out publicly. “Among many American Amsterdammers who are renouncing their citizenship, there is a strong reluctance to criticize the U.S. government,” Durlacher says.

During the making of the AT5 broadcast, several individuals declined to participate out of fear that it might jeopardize their renunciation process. According to Durlacher, that fear is stronger than ever — especially since ESTA applications (for travel to the U.S.) now also require applicants to list their social media accounts.

“These can be checked. If you’ve been significantly critical of America online, you can be denied entry. That kind of fear is more widespread than ever.”

Get informed at Americans Overseas

We, the founders of Americans Overseas, were born in the Netherlands and obtained our American nationality through our (American) mother.

When we heard about the US tax system for the first time around 2013, we were in total disbelief (it can’t be true!), anger (how can they do this?), fear (am I going to get fined or pick up other problems?), and panic (what should I do?). It is (unfortunately) true that there is an additional American tax levy. But there’s no information from the local government, and when approached, the consulate referred us to the IRS, and the IRS was impenetrable.

That’s why we started this initiative to help people from all over the world by providing proper information about the US tax system to avoid unnecessary panic and offering help free of obligation and free of charge. If needed, we have a network of affordable professionals (accountants) who can help you with your American tax obligations.

Contact us for more information

Source: AT5