Dutch-Americans massively dropping American nationality over new tax law

Dutch Americans are giving up their American nationality on a large scale before a new tax law is implemented next year according to NLtimes. This new law means that they will have to file a tax return in the United States. If they don’t, their bank accounts may be frozen.

The number of Dutch who want to give up their American citizenship increased sixfold since 2016, Dan Durlacher of Americans Overseas, a firm that helps Americans in the Netherlands, said to the broadcaster. This year it involves around 1,700 people.

Due to the influx, the waiting time at the American consulate increased to up to a year in some cases. 

The issue is the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) – a law intended to combat tax fraud in the United States that obliges banks to transfer data of Americans abroad to the US tax authorities. 

But passing on the SSN – the American citizen service number – can be a problem, especially for “accidental Americans –  people who were born to an American parent and have US nationality even though they never lived there. “Many accidental Americans don’t have such a number at all.”

Deadline Dutch-Americans: January 1st

Dutch Americans must provide their tax id number on January 1st of next year. 

If Dutch Americans don’t get an American tax number before then, their bank accounts may be locked, according to Durlacher. “But even if they succeed, they will be charged considerable costs. They are required to file a tax return for the past five years”, he said to the broadcaster. And filing a tax return in the United States is not free. “It is inevitable to hire an American accountant, who can easily charge a few thousand dollars.”

Get help from 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 tax obligations.

If you have more questions about FATCA or US income tax you can contact us at Americans Overseas.

Contact us for more information

Source: NLtimes