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Comment by adestefan | Hacker News Reader

People complain that government doesn't do a good enough job, but then people complain when government tries to do a better job.

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"targeting" equals "tries" now? Okie dokie.

Totally. Just earlier today I was reading something about how the IRS taxes citizens who have their wealth abroad. People were very angry! But these are the same people who want more taxes on the rich. All I could think was, 'Hold up a second guys, aren't you familiar with the key ways the rich avoid taxes?'

The thing is, the IRS "taxes citizens who have their wealth abroad" even if they have no significant financial/business links with the U.S. (they live/work/invest entirely outside the U.S.), and even if they aren't wealthy...

I'm all for catching tax cheats when that's actually what's going on, but the IRS policies here are often just downright douchey...

That's a little different. If you moved to Europe, took a job in Europe, lived in Europe and paid taxes in Europe, you'd STILL have to pay US tax. Very few other countries do that.

Only if you make $100k+ though, from what I've read. You get an exemption if you make less than that, I believe?

Even still. The fact that you have to pay taxes for services you have no means to access is a little unfair.

You still have access to all the services and protection provided by the US embassy and consulates.

I'm not saying that it's appropriate for someone to pay the taxes, but it's not true to say you get no services as a US citizen abroad.

Are you really sure those are the same people? I'm guessing not.

The key word being "tries". they need to be a bit more effective with their trying (if indeed they are trying to do good things).

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