As globalization moves American executives to financial metropolises around the world and the Internet allows for easier connection among politically minded US expatriates, the 2008 presidential candidates are expanding their fundraising efforts beyond US borders; according to Lindsay Renick Mayer of Capital Eye on yubanet.com

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The House Americans Abroad Caucus founded by Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) has expanded this summer with the addition of two new members, Julia Carson (D-IN) and Michael Honda (D-CA).

Other members of the caucus, created to focus on issues related to overseas citizens are (in alphabetical order): John Boozman (R-AZ), Donna Christensen (D-VI), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Kay Granger (R-TX), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Henry Waxman (D-CA), Frank Wolf (R-VA).

Remember: your current representative in Congress by representative is from the state district where you last resided before living abroad. Do your part to ensure that your representative is aware that s/he has overseas constituents who are following her/his actions, and would welcome his/her joining the Caucus.

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Many states are moving up the dates of their primary elections. Make sure you register to vote early, to be able to participate in state primaries in 2008 (see www.overseasvotefoundation.org for full information).

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The USCIS (the US Citizenship and Immigration Services – which includes the former INS) has filed notice in the Federal Register of an intention to recall green cards with no expiration date (those 17 to 30 years old). Holders of such cards would be obliged to apply for the newer form of the card, valid for ten years and with biometric data, within 120 days of the regulations' coming into force and at a cost of $370. USCIS estimates this would affect 750,000 green cards.

Commentary: ACA is concerned that this may have a negative impact on businesspeople who travel frequently to the US, as well as on Americans residing abroad with non-citizen family members. For the full press release on the subject from ACA see: yahoo.com. Comments on this proposed rule change are accepted until 21 September. For the proposal as in the Federal Register see: akamaitech.net. USCIS questions and answers concerning the rule are at: uscis.gov.

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Tricare-For-Life information wanted. A retired USAF couple who are considering moving to Germany would like to exchange emails with someone who has experience with Tricare-For-Life system overseas and especially Germany. Please email kingtoth@iol.ie.

Background: In general, active duty and retired service members of the uniformed services, and their families, are eligible for TRICARE medical coverage while living overseas. For more info see: tricare.mil

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Joining previous articles by tax attorney Jane Bruno is her recent "Update on US Taxation of Americans Overseas in 2007" available here. A specialist equally fluent in “layman-ese”, Ms Bruno offers a brief overview of the current state of US tax law as relevant to Americans abroad. Did you know, for example, that newly issued US passports, on the last page, state: "All U.S. citizens working and residing abroad are required to file and report on their worldwide income."? How nice to have such a reminder among your most preciously-guarded papers!

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Not to be missed if you are a believer that truth can be stranger than fiction is ACA’s press release based on the true-life situation of "Joe", an American abroad who is in the midst of an obstacle race in an attempt to accept a prestigious position with an American university. Look at catch22.pdf and laugh (or cry) along with us at the awesome bureaucratic challenges he faces. Will Joe arrive at the finish line in time? Stay tuned.

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A quick-witted reader has brought to our attention a reporting requirement many of us have probably overlooked:

"Stolen property. If you steal property, you must report its fair market value in your income in the year you steal it unless in the same year, you return it to its rightful owner." -- IRS Publication 17, page 88
(A tip of the hat to Paul Torgerson for this morsel.)

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The U.S. Government Accountability Office (prior to 2004 called the "General Accounting Office") executes audits and reviews of all phases of government activity, issuing reports which are available to the public. One can subscribe to GAO email updates of publications available on their site on a regular basis and/or based on topics by going to: gao.gov. Examples of recent reviews that may be of interest to Americans overseas include:

Higher Education: Challenges in Attracting International Students to the United States and Implications for Global Competitiveness. GAO-07-1047T, June 29, 2007, (14 pages).

Elections: Action Plans Needed to Fully Address Challenges in Electronic Absentee Voting Initiatives for Military and Overseas Citizens. GAO-07-774, June 14, 2007, (50 pages).

Talking Books for the Blind. GAO-07-871R, June 12, 2007, (11 pages).

Social Security Numbers: Federal Actions Could Further Decrease Availability in Public Records, though Other Vulnerabilities Remain. GAO-07-752, June 15, 2007, (44 pages).

Social Security Numbers: Use is Widespread and Protection Could Be Improved. GAO-07-1023T, June 21, 2007, (14 pages).

State Department: The July 2006 Evacuation of American Citizens from Lebanon. GAO-07-893R, June 7, 2007, (33 pages).

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SEE US THIS FALL AT (and buy "So Far Yet So Near"):

JOIN US AT:

WORK WITH US:

Volunteer Job Opportunity ACA is looking for a volunteer to do the organization’s accounting in Geneva, Switzerland. This is a good way to help Americans Citizens Abroad and to get to know the people working actively to promote the interests of Americans overseas. It is a fun group. Time commitment: approximately 1 - 2 hours/month. Location: 5 rue Liotard, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland. Job requirements: experience in bookkeeping and accounting. Simple and straight-forward accounting program used. Training: backup and support of the person currently doing the accounts. Please contact us email: or dial Swiss phone number: +41 22 3400233

Overseas Americans Week in Washington DC – April 2008 (contact: for further details). ACA is looking for early sign-up of interested participants from a broad range of backgrounds and geographical locations. No expenses paid, but a tremendous learning experience!

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The State Department has an interesting publication aimed at its personnel planning or living in retirement, but with information of wider validity. The well-researched June issue of Career Transition Center (CTC) concentrated on retiring abroad -- reasons for, solid consideration of factors to consider, how to, etc.: www.state.gov. Interestingly enough, it quotes an estimate of one million Americans retired abroad.

Other recent issues of this newsletter spotlight transitioning to new careers, starting an independent business, age discrimination, resume writing. And don’t pass up the July annual jokes issue! (thanks to reader Leila Heron for this lead)

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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, email:

WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO ACA'S FINANCIAL SUCCESS:

1. ORDER YOUR PUBLICATIONS THROUGH THE ACA WEBSITE and we get paid for your business - at no extra cost to you. Go to the Book Review section and click on any link to amazon-com (USA) or amazon-UK. Any purchases you make when you have entered through the ACA portal, whether of items reviewed on the website or not, will generate a small revenue for ACA; Please make this extra click-to-give gesture to help us continue to help you. You can also order our new ACA book So far and Yet So Near directly from www.amazon.com USA or from www.amazon.co.UK and add your other orders.
   
   
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. Next year's auction will be held on Friday 11th April 2008 at the Ramada Park Hôtel in Geneva. See our Donors List of fabulous prizes.
   
   
3. IS YOUR MEMBERSHIP CURRENT? Renew by secure online payment or contact the ACA office email: . Membership is only US$50 a year (CHF 60). 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. Secure payment using PayPal^®, or send a check to: ACA, 5 rue Liotard, 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!