How to Renounce Citizenship and Expatriate Now

Описание: Citizenship renunciation has had a complex history in the U.S. Prior to the late 19th century, most countries considered a person's birth citizenship to be permanent and immutable under the doctrine of perpetual allegiance.

This proved nettlesome for early British immigrants who, by virtue of their British birth, were sometimes pressed into service by the Royal Navy despite holding U.S. citizenship and having immigrated to America years, or even decades, earlier. The practice of impressment was so controversial as to have played a significant role in causing the War of 1812 between the U.S. and Britain.

Nor was the practice confined to Britain alone. Germany, Sweden, and other countries also frequently drafted into their militaries U.S. citizens visiting their homeland.

In 1868, Congress passed the Expatriation Act, which specifically allowed for citizens to renounce the citizenship of the country from which they emigrated. But since the U.S. had no control over other national policies, it also sought out foreign agreements that harmonized naturalization laws—what became known as the Bancroft Treaties.

Today American citizens opting to renounce their citizenship do so primarily for tax reasons, according to Freddi Weintraub, an immigration lawyer with Fragomen, a New York law firm.

The U.S. is the only country in the world that taxes all income by its citizens earned overseas above $100,000. In 2012, Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin renounced his U.S. citizenship and became a citizen of Singapore, whose tax rules are substantially lighter by comparison.

But the renunciation process is not without headaches, says Weintraub. You must first go to a consulate or embassy overseas and announce your intentions. Then "there are a bunch of affidavits that you have to complete," she says, "because they have to make sure that you are of a sound mind, and that you understand the ramifications of what you've done."

A consular officer then conducts an exit interview and has the individual sign an oath of renunciation. And depending on a person's income and wealth, exit taxes may be accessed.
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