While many expats don't have to pay US taxes, the reporting requirements are a substantial burden on us - we have to file tax forms in multiple countries, and w

While many expats don't have to pay US taxes, the reporting requirements are a substantial burden on us - we have to file tax forms in multiple countries, and we have to report on our normal bank accounts, which is pure bullshit. We don't get any real benefits abroad, and we get charged for everything. Let's say you need something notarized - many places won't accept a foreign notarization, which means you have to go to the embassy. You know how your bank will usually notarize documents for free? The embassy charges you $50 - per signature. Want to renounce your citizenship? That'll be $2,350. You managed to end up in the wrong place and civil war breaks out? The US will make some effort to help you, but it wont' come free. U.S. law 22 U.S.C. 2671(b) (2) (A) requires that any departure assistance be provided "on a reimbursable basis to the maximum extent practicable.” This means that evacuation costs are ultimately your responsibility; you will be asked to sign a form promising to repay the U.S. government. (http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/emergencies/crisis-support.html http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/emergencies/cri...) And if you do renounce your citizenship, you risk not even being allowed back in the country to visit family. --People who have done so have been denied visas by the US supposedly because they aren't well enough established in their new country. And yes, this can even happen in the event of family emergencies. So giving up US citizenship could prevent you from visiting a parent or other family member on their deathbed - not something most people want to think about.