On June 26, the IRS issued IR-2012-65, a plan “to help U.S. citizens residing overseas, including dual citizens, catch up with tax filing obligations and provide assistance for people with foreign retirement plan issues.”


IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said, "Today we are announcing a series of common-sense steps to help U.S. citizens abroad get current with their tax obligations and resolve pension issues."

Delinquent filers will still have to file back tax returns and FBARs (Foreign Bank Account Reports) but a large majority, who are “low compliance risks” with simple tax returns and who owe little or no tax, will face no “penalties or additional enforcement action.”

We cannot but applaud this effort both to encourage people to come into compliance with the law and to assuage the fears of those wishing to do so but fearing severe financial and criminal consequences.

Click here to see the IRS announcement and here to see the as-yet not-finalized procedures to take effect on September 1, 2012.

Congratulatons to Eileen Green-Doyle (AWC Dublin) who just produced a beautiful water photography book with photo contributions from FAWCO members from around the world. The book costs 35 Euro (including shipping) with 100% of the proceed going to the FAWCO Target Project, Tabitha Wells for Cambodia. This is AWC Dublin's fundraiser for Target. Please spread the word in your Club and place a bulk order - it'd make a beautiful gift and all for a good cause. Email Eileen This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to place your order. Click here for the dedication page to Cambodia.

FAWCO member Paula Lucas was named a Reader's Digest Hometown Hero. She founded the American Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center (AODVCC).  FAWCO partnered in 2009-2011 with AODVCC in their worldwide Ambassadors Training. Read article.

Representative Carolyn Maloney and two of her colleagues on the Americans Abroad Caucus, which she chairs, have introduced HR 5828, “A Bill to amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to permit an absentee ballot application submitted by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter with respect to an election for Federal office to serve as an absentee ballot application for each subsequent election for Federal office held in the State through the next regularly scheduled general election for Federal office.”  The bill also allows for early submission of a ballot request, ensuring finally that military and overseas voters will be enfranchised throughout an entire election cycle (primary, regular, special, and run-off elections).

Overseas voters can and should support this important legislation by urging their Members of Congress (find them at www.house.gov) to sign on to the bill as co-sponsors, and contacting the Committee on House Administration (see below), responsible for election reform legislation, reminding them that, given the distances involved and the difficulties inherent to overseas mail, it is important to be assured of the ability to vote in every federal election in each cycle.

Click here to see the text of the bill and here to see the press release from Congresswoman Maloney’s office.