As an American living abroad, I’m in the unique situation of having to pay not only Swiss taxes, but also US taxes. Why unique? Because no other developed nation in the world requires its citizens living abroad to pay taxes. German living abroad? My expat friends and colleagues from other countries look at me with bewilderment when I mention the US tax situation. No German taxes. Australian living abroad? No Australian taxes.  Each year, I have to pay for US services, infrastructure, education and government that I don’t use. It’s a double burden, and one that makes being American abroad a disadvantage. My daughter, who now has an American passport, will have to pay US taxes even if she never lives in America. US lawmakers seem to think that all expats are on generous packages that pay for our housing, food and travel – which simply isn’t true. I’m a local hire on a local contract here in Zurich.  The “expat” package is a myth. What’s going on here? A fantastic insight into this situation can be found at the Amcham blog, and the American Citizens Abroad website provides a forum for Americans abroad to be heard.

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