Ella Heyder is bracing for a breakup, even though she already moved out decades ago.
She’s contemplating cutting ties altogether with her home country, the United States of America, and President Donald Trump.
“I’m quite disturbed by what’s happening in the U.S. under Trump’s regime. It’s a fascist, imperialist regime,” Heyder said as she and others waved signs outside the American Embassy in Ottawa during what has become a twice-weekly protest against the current U.S. administration.
“It makes me a little bit ashamed. It makes me feel very sad,” she said.
For decades, Heyder has carried two passports. While she grew up in Norfolk, Va., Canada has her loyalty, and she figures a permanent split is inevitable.
Voting is a good reason to keep the citizenship.
In regards of taxes, if your place of residence collects more than the US would, nothing is actually owed. In the EU most (if not all) countries have much higher tax rates than the US, so the only “crime” would be the failure to file. Not sure if this is why the folks I know are getting away with this.
But generally yes, my friends are not planing to go back and much prefer paying higher taxes in return for accessible healthcare and public transport.
I haven’t filed since Trunps first term. Before that my tax bill was always 0 because Ireland collects more taxes than the US would. I’ve traveled to the US twice since 2016, wothout any issues. But not in the last two years, things have definitely changed since.
I lived in Ireland most of my life, so maybe the IRS forgot I exist. Also no assets states side to take away
lol