An apology is due to readers of ACA's regular News Updates. Since early 2004, ACA has been working its way through a series of computer and e-transmission problems. As of end-May, our basic system is not only working, but is updated and improved in several areas. On the verge of being solved is the last problem, related to transmission of the News Update to its hundred of recipients. Keep your ears and eyes open: we'll be back with you soon! Meanwhile, check ACA's web site for regular updates of materials.

Back to the top

American Citizens Abroad's annual general assembly will come to order at 19:00 on 15 June 2004 in the meeting hall of Emmanuel Church, Geneva. All are welcome - members or not - but only members can vote on resolutions. For directions and/or to raise issues or make comments which you wish discussed at the meeting, contact ACA at acage@aca.ch

Back to the top

Americans residing in France, Kuwait and Mexico have only until end-June to be included in a test-enumeration currently being carried out by the Census Bureau. This count, and another to be held in 2006, will help determine whether all overseas Americans will be included in the next national census in 2010.

Many overseas American groups have pushed for years for Americans residing abroad to be included in the decennial US census, arguing that since this segment of citizens is allowed to vote in federal elections and since overseas Americans a re required to file US tax returns on their global income, no matter where they reside, they should also form part of the statistics of the American population.

A recent Associated Press article reports disappointing results to date. To be counted, one can obtain a hardcopy form at any consular post in the three countries, or register online via www.census.gov/overseas04/.

If you reside in one of the test countries and choose NOT to be counted, share your feelings with ACA as to why you don't want to participate.

Back to the top

Democrats Abroad, Republicans Abroad, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Foreign Trade Council and a host of other groups dealing with Americans employed abroad sent a joint letter to Rep. Bill Thomas, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, asking for correction of the Senate-passed JOBS Bill (S. 1637). The latter bill would change the Section 911 foreign earned income exclusion from $80,000 + reasonable housing allowance to a maximum of $80,000 INCLUDING housing allowance. This would pose considerable hardship to Americans working in countries with high housing costs.

The letter continued, "This reduction in the Section 911 exclusion could shift tens of thousands of jobs now held by U.S. citizens working abroad to foreign nationals and significantly increase the financial burden on U.S. multinationals, reducing their ability to keep pace with their foreign competitors."

Back to the top

Overseas Americans Week was held 2-7 May 2004, in Washington, with ACA representatives from several countries joining forces with representatives of the Association of Americans Residing Overseas (AARO), the American Business Council of the Gulf Countries (ABCGC), the Iberian-based Americans group ALLAMO, and the Federation of American Women's Clubs Overseas (FAWCO) to raise awareness of and interest in concerns of Americans residing abroad.

On April 26th, President Bush sent greetings to the participating groups. The message said: " Mutual understanding and respect among nations help promote peace, tolerance, and prosperity throughout the world. The more than 4 million Americans who live and work abroad foster the exchange of ideas and innovations vital to global commerce. By maintaining important civic and cultural ties to the United States, these Americans can also bridge cultures and strengthen ties of goodwill."

Prominent in this year's activities were fruitful meetings with Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, and Center for Freedom and Prosperity on the issue of taxation, as well as a meeting with White House staffers.

Back to the top

ACA dues (only US$40 per year regular membership, or $30 for senior membership) can now be paid not only by check or credit card (secure online or hard copy info), but ALSO in US or Canadian dollars, Pounds sterling, Euros or Yen secure online via PayPal. On this ACA web site (www.aca.ch) click on membership, and on the PayPal logo, and payment will be transferred to American Citizens Abroad quickly and painlessly, with e-receipt to you.

Back to the top

This News Update is, like ACA itself, of, by, and for Americans abroad. ACA is staffed through the efforts of volunteers, with its primary income source being membership fees and donations from private American citizens around the world.

WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE HANDS-ON TO ACA WORK:

1. NEWS UPDATE EDITORS. ACA is seeking to supplement its News Update staff. Work involves actually writing the News Update 2 - 3 times a year, under supervision of a Senior Editor, and monitoring raw material considered for the newsletter on a regular basis. Calls for e-mail access and an ability to write/edit succinctly and against a deadline. ACA takes pride in the global spread of its editors.
2. BOOK REVIEWS/REVIEWERS. ACA is interested in discovering books of particular interest to Americans abroad. It also seeks individuals willing to review such books. Reviewers get to keep the book, and to see their contribution in print. Click here for a list of books or contact the ACA office.

WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO ACA'S FINANCIAL SUCCESS:

1. Did you know that by accessing amazon.com (click on any Amazon link you find in the book review section, ACA web site) and then browsing and purchasing as normal, ACA receives—at no cost to you—a small percentage on the purchases you make? Check ACA's web site and make a painless contribution: it makes $&sense!
2. Join us for our annual auction. The FUNdraiser evening produces the single largest annual contribution to ACA's working budget. And the highest bids are for items ingenious and/or exotic. It's a good bet that someone in the attending crowd of internationals will be intrigued by even the most distant and/or unusual of objects or services.
3. And, of course, an outright contribution via check or charge card is the most obvious way to support the work of ACA and its worldwide volunteers working to help YOU. Membership is only $40 a year ($30 for seniors). Secure payment via this web site, or mail to: ACA, 5 rue Liotard, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland.

Disclaimer: "While ACA makes every effort to be accurate in the information it transmits, such information is not to be considered a substitute for specific and qualified professional advice."

JOIN US!