State Department slashes fee to renounce US citizenship by 80% to $450

[Shadow 6,697]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department has slashed by about 80% the fee for Americans to formally renounce their U.S. citizenship.

After years of legal battles with several groups representing Americans wanting to give up their citizenship, the department on Friday published a final rule in the Federal Register that reduces the cost from $2,350 to $450.

https://apnews.com/article/us-citizenship-state-department-ab78db7aced64919edff3de26eebb681

[AddMeOnMYSPACE 2,097]

@chatgpt 

“what is this good or bad? “

[weed 78,974]

I get it but still kind of confused lol they mention people living in other countries (eg France) but born in the US, I feel like that type of person would have the expendable income to not be a US citizen anymore if it is so harmful to their everyday life... but idk! Glad it's cheaper 

[Ladle Ghoulash 53,212]

Giving fire sale teas lmao

[EART HL I NG 1,307]

I’m not checking my bank account balance, just thought I’d let you all know 

Edited March 16 by EART HL I NG

[PunkTheFunk 125,703]

3 hours ago, Ladle Ghoulash said:

Giving fire sale teas lmao

STORE CLOSING

EVERYTHING MUST GO!

80% OFF

[Lord Mayhem 3,430]

Don't tempt me...

[Defmix100 7,072]

10 hours ago, weed said:

I get it but still kind of confused lol they mention people living in other countries (eg France) but born in the US, I feel like that type of person would have the expendable income to not be a US citizen anymore if it is so harmful to their everyday life... but idk! Glad it's cheaper 

their family could have moved to another country when the person was a baby, doesn't mean they're rich, they might just want sole citizenship with the country they've only ever known

[Helxig 45,376]

This seems mutually beneficial tbh. The people who want out don't have to pay such a huge fee, the administration that wants them gone can see them out quicker. I'm confused what even the point of this process is tbh. Does being a citizen have some kind of lingering effect on people's lives if they simply emigrate away? Some kind of legal or financial issues? Otherwise I thought it would just be some passive thing in the background that did nothing

[AsleepOnTheCeiling 6,974]

1 hour ago, hELXIG said:

This seems mutually beneficial tbh. The people who want out don't have to pay such a huge fee, the administration that wants them gone can see them out quicker. I'm confused what even the point of this process is tbh. Does being a citizen have some kind of lingering effect on people's lives if they simply emigrate away? Some kind of legal or financial issues? Otherwise I thought it would just be some passive thing in the background that did nothing

Americans are legally required to file taxes in the US even if living abroad. Also the draft lol. 

[Sepsami 20,978]

10 hours ago, PunkTheFunk said:

STORE CLOSING

EVERYTHING MUST GO!

80% OFF

Americana OUTLET

[Grissem 101]

But isn't this just another move of easily getting rid of people that would vote for Democrats? Meaning americans living abroad? Please don't fall for this

[Shadow 6,697]

5 hours ago, hELXIG said:

This seems mutually beneficial tbh. The people who want out don't have to pay such a huge fee, the administration that wants them gone can see them out quicker. I'm confused what even the point of this process is tbh. Does being a citizen have some kind of lingering effect on people's lives if they simply emigrate away? Some kind of legal or financial issues? Otherwise I thought it would just be some passive thing in the background that did nothing

Depending on the nations involved, these effects can range from administrative hurdles to significant global protections.

1. Financial and Fiscal Obligations

The most immediate lingering effect is often financial.

Taxation: Most countries tax based on residency, but some (most notably the United States) tax based on citizenship. A citizen living abroad may still be required to file tax returns and potentially pay taxes to their home country regardless of where the income was earned.

Social Security & Pensions: Many citizens remain entitled to state pensions or social security benefits from their home country if they met certain contribution thresholds before leaving. Conversely, some countries may freeze pension increases if the citizen lives in a country without a reciprocal agreement.

2. Consular Protection and Rights

Citizenship acts as a safety net in international law.

The Right of Return: A citizen almost always retains the absolute legal right to return to their home country, even during global crises, border closures, or if they are deported from their host country.

Consular Assistance: If an emigrant is arrested, hospitalized, or caught in a disaster abroad, their home country’s embassy is legally obligated to provide specific forms of support that are not available to non-citizens.

3. Political and Legal Participation

Voting Rights: Many countries allow "overseas" or "diaspora" voting, enabling emigrants to influence the politics of their home country for years or even decades after leaving.

Property and Inheritance: In some nations, certain types of land ownership or inheritance rights are restricted to citizens. Emigrating does not strip these rights, whereas renouncing citizenship might.

4. The "Passport Power" Factor

The strength of a person’s original passport dictates their global mobility.

Visa-Free Travel: An emigrant may live in a new country for years, but their ability to travel to third countries is still determined by their original citizenship until they naturalize elsewhere.

Extradition: Citizens are often treated differently in extradition treaties. Some countries have constitutional prohibitions against extraditing their own citizens to face trial in foreign courts.

[Helxig 45,376]

19 hours ago, AsleepOnTheCeiling said:

Americans are legally required to file taxes in the US even if living abroad. Also the draft lol. 

 

16 hours ago, Shadow said:

Depending on the nations involved, these effects can range from administrative hurdles to significant global protections.

1. Financial and Fiscal Obligations

The most immediate lingering effect is often financial.

Taxation: Most countries tax based on residency, but some (most notably the United States) tax based on citizenship. A citizen living abroad may still be required to file tax returns and potentially pay taxes to their home country regardless of where the income was earned.

Social Security & Pensions: Many citizens remain entitled to state pensions or social security benefits from their home country if they met certain contribution thresholds before leaving. Conversely, some countries may freeze pension increases if the citizen lives in a country without a reciprocal agreement.

2. Consular Protection and Rights

Citizenship acts as a safety net in international law.

The Right of Return: A citizen almost always retains the absolute legal right to return to their home country, even during global crises, border closures, or if they are deported from their host country.

Consular Assistance: If an emigrant is arrested, hospitalized, or caught in a disaster abroad, their home country’s embassy is legally obligated to provide specific forms of support that are not available to non-citizens.

3. Political and Legal Participation

Voting Rights: Many countries allow "overseas" or "diaspora" voting, enabling emigrants to influence the politics of their home country for years or even decades after leaving.

Property and Inheritance: In some nations, certain types of land ownership or inheritance rights are restricted to citizens. Emigrating does not strip these rights, whereas renouncing citizenship might.

4. The "Passport Power" Factor

The strength of a person’s original passport dictates their global mobility.

Visa-Free Travel: An emigrant may live in a new country for years, but their ability to travel to third countries is still determined by their original citizenship until they naturalize elsewhere.

Extradition: Citizens are often treated differently in extradition treaties. Some countries have constitutional prohibitions against extraditing their own citizens to face trial in foreign courts.

Ahh thank you that makes sense. Making citizens pay tax back to the US when they're living abroad is crazyyyy. But it makes sense for the most capitalistic place on earth