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> countless accidental [...] Linked article says a bit more than 3,000 around the world. So, 0.001%. Article content is clickbait. Basically, a very small part

by koluna 6y ago

> countless accidental [...] Linked article says a bit more than 3,000 around the world. So, 0.001%. Article content is clickbait. Basically, a very small part of the population complains about something that others work decades on.

throwawayiionqz 6y ago
Non-accidental Americans and green card holders living in the EU also face major difficulties for opening bank accounts and basic investments. The accidental ones are the tip of the iceberg, but the problem need a fix for everyone.
- koluna 6y ago
  But that’s a whole separate problem, no? That’s like saying “Accidental lottery winners complain they have to pay taxes, but hey, we need to make sure the tax code is good for everyone” - totally, but don’t paint the article like it’s some massive global problem of lottery winners struggling.
  - throwawayiionqz 6y ago
    You can find a continuous spectrum of Americans suffering FATCA and IRS struggles while living abroad. At the end of the spectrum are these accidental Americans. In the middle you can find e everything, e.g. your kid studying in the EU that cannot open a bank account there or issues getting a real estate loan to buy a house in the foreign country you work and live in. Essentially opening a bank account abroad is a no-go unless you lie or have a lot of money. Then you have ultra wealthy tax evaders that were the target of those regulations. Obviously these people don't have a hard time opening bank relationships anywhere.
    - koluna 6y ago
      How is that different from any other country, where you can’t open a bank account unless you are a citizen or a resident?
thesz 6y ago
Your math is wrong. The one thousandth of percent is for whole US population. For these who experience problems abroad the percentage must be much higher because, frankly, most of these with problems do not live in US and their count is much smaller.

by koluna 6y ago

throwawayiionqz 6y ago

Non-accidental Americans and green card holders living in the EU also face major difficulties for opening bank accounts and basic investments. The accidental ones are the tip of the iceberg, but the problem need a fix for everyone.

koluna 6y ago
But that’s a whole separate problem, no? That’s like saying “Accidental lottery winners complain they have to pay taxes, but hey, we need to make sure the tax code is good for everyone” - totally, but don’t paint the article like it’s some massive global problem of lottery winners struggling.
- throwawayiionqz 6y ago
  You can find a continuous spectrum of Americans suffering FATCA and IRS struggles while living abroad. At the end of the spectrum are these accidental Americans. In the middle you can find e everything, e.g. your kid studying in the EU that cannot open a bank account there or issues getting a real estate loan to buy a house in the foreign country you work and live in. Essentially opening a bank account abroad is a no-go unless you lie or have a lot of money. Then you have ultra wealthy tax evaders that were the target of those regulations. Obviously these people don't have a hard time opening bank relationships anywhere.
  - koluna 6y ago
    How is that different from any other country, where you can’t open a bank account unless you are a citizen or a resident?

thesz 6y ago

Your math is wrong. The one thousandth of percent is for whole US population. For these who experience problems abroad the percentage must be much higher because, frankly, most of these with problems do not live in US and their count is much smaller.