The dual nationality of these French born in the United States is a big concern for them: some online banks refuse to open their accounts for fear of reprisals from the American tax authorities. Also, 278 of these "accidental Americans" filed a complaint against X on Monday, with the constitution of a civil party, before the dean of the examining magistrates at the Paris court. Their lawyer Me Antoine Vey confirmed information from the Parisian .
While these people often have lived very little across the Atlantic, the American tax administration takes advantage of the Fatca law (Foreign account tax compliance act) applied in France since 2013, to require that they declare their income to the States -United.
Fear of reprisals and costly procedures
In July 2019, the hexagonal banks had warned about the lack of agreement on the application of the Fatca which allows the United States to ask foreign banks for information on their customers considered to be Americans ... And exposing the banks to possible sanctions in case of refusal.
For fear of reprisals from the American justice system and potentially costly procedures, certain banking establishments prefer to prevent these particular French people from having access to their services.
Brad Pitt invited to the debate
"Conventional banks, as well as some online banks, do not discriminate against us," Fabien Lehagre, president of the Association of Accidental Americans (AAA), told AFP. “But for example, Boursorama told us that for us, it would cost the bank too much. However, they spent a few months ago 6 million euros to be represented by Brad Pitt when he can not even open an account with them. "
"The constitution of civil party allows to ask the president of the court that a judge is designated", specified Me Vey after a simple complaint brought in 2019 by 306 "Accidental Americans", but which did not lead to the investigation by the prosecutor.
"Bank passivity"
“You cannot exclude on a nationality criterion, just because it costs money. It is clearly discriminatory and we are surprised at the passivity of the banks. I have the impression that the public prosecutor's office has not grasped the importance of the case which concerns almost 10,000 people in the territory. We have to shake the coconut palm a little, ”he added.
Economy
Taxes: Taxpayers subject to the CSG win their case with the American tax authorities
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Will the nightmare of these "accidental Americans", who pay taxes in the United States without living there, end?
- Taxes
- Bank
- Tax
- United States
- Justice