ABOUT THE LIVING LIFE IN COSTA RICA BLOG

I (Vicki Skinner - aka "THE Sarong Goddess") created this blog in 2007 to share DETAILED Finds•Lists•Info•Events•Experiences to help bring more EASE to people living in, visiting or thinking of moving to Costa Rica since DETAILS are NOT easy to find!
I’m NOT an expert (an "expert" 2 ME knows 101%-NOT me). I believe in sharin info•helping where I can! And with over 2,200 entries, so some things might be out of date, so if you find old info PLEASE help each other by getting the updated info & sharing it with me to revise. At least you have some basic info to get you started.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP:
Better yet - do you have extra time on your hands & looking for a volunteer project? Since this blog is a labor of love & RARELY does anyone share a donation (even though MANY have said how much it's helped them), I could REALLY use help updating info. Spanish speakers ESPECIALLY welcome since my VicLish can be somewhat limited at times!!

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I welcome you to show YOUR appreciation for my efforts!
ANY size DONATION is APPRECIATED!
(see below other ways to show your appreciation)
The easiest way is with PAYPAL - Attn: LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com
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Do YOU have/know of a Business•Event•News•Place•Things 4 Sale•Rent to add? Email:
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OTHER WAYS TO SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION FOR THIS BLOG

• APPLE LAPTOP - Do you have a Laptop you're not using? Mine recently broke so I'm using a lender. Must be new enough to run current Skypes & have an SDCard slot.
• Amazon.com or GoDaddy.com Credit•Gift Certificate (attn: SarongGoddess@gmail.com)
• Something else to share?? A gift certificate or invite for your business? I'm open!! (at times I'll add other things here that I'm seeking)

Friday, January 24, 2014

FATCA facts: What Canadians need to know about new U.S. tax • IRS laws


New international sharing pact will put banks, unsuspecting Canadians under scrutiny

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service is seeking bank account information about American citizens around the world with a new law that comes into effect this year. (Susan Walsh/The Associated Press)

In 6 months, a little known U.S. tax law goes into effect that will affect people around the world, including Canadians.  Not only might the law — the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) — reach into Canadians' pockets, by raising bank costs, but it also brings privacy and financial implications for those with American ties.  Here's a rundown on what the law is and what it means for Canadians.


What is FATCA?
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act became U.S. law in March 2010 but will take effect around the world on July 1, 2014. The goal of the law is to find offshore accounts held by U.S. taxpayers seeking to avoid paying taxes on them. 

Under the law, banks from around the world will be asked to sift through their accounts to look for clients with U.S. connections, then share that information with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. 

The U.S. is looking for tax cheats, but critics say innocent people are getting caught up in the hunt.

Who is affected by this law? 
The short answer is almost every Canadian. It is expected to cost banks substantial amounts of money to implement the systems required to find residents with U.S. connections, costs the banks may well pass along to all their clients.

Some estimate it could cost $100 million for each financial institution.

Those directly affected by the law include dual citizens, Canadians with Green Cards and some snowbirds who spend considerable time in the U.S.

Why does this affect them?
Read the rest of the story at:


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Share this article with ALL Canadians you know that have ANY Banking • Tax type things in the U.S.
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