Democrats Abroad Geneva 45th Anniversary Fundraising Cocktail Event

What: Democrats Abroad Geneva 45th Anniversary Fundraising Cocktail
When: Wednesday 14 October, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Where: Private residence near Old Town Geneva.
Contribution: $65 per person or $125 per couple (includes chance to win one of several fabulous gift basket!)

RSVP by contributing $65 to DA online at www.democratsabroad.org/contribute. (Select “Geneva 45th Celebration” from drop down menu). Please also send us an email to chair@democrats.ch to confirm your participation. We will email you the address of the event.

Democrats Abroad is celebrating its 45th Anniversary this October! Chapters from around the world will be hosting festivities to commemorate the organization and its beginnings dating back to 1964 in London and Paris. Today, DA's country committees can be found throughout the globe, in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas and Asia!

Democrats Abroad Switzerland was formed in 1976 and ever since, we have had a rich history of dedicated and active members. With 8 of our 9 former Chairs still living in the country, we have some great stories to tell: such as the visits of President Carter in 1976 and former Vice-President Al Gore in 2002 to the exciting election of President Barack Obama through the mobilization of the hundreds of DACH volunteers and supporters who helped get him elected.

As we gear up for the 2010 Congressional Elections, we have a lot of work ahead of us. Please join us to celebrate our rich history and those who made DA the vibrant organization it is today in Geneva and support Democrats Abroad in helping Democrats win races next year!

Results from Town Hall on US Taxes for Americans Abroad

News Update: IRS extends the voluntary disclosure deadline to 15 October 2009 from 23 September 2009

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On Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 Democrats Abroad in Geneva teamed up with American Citizens Abroad and Republicans Abroad Switzerland to co-host another meeting on "US Taxes and Banking in Switzerland" at Webster University in Bellevue (GE). Our 4 guest speakers covered the most important tax and banking issues for Americans living abroad. These included

· The banking issue, including a summary of the UBS-U.S. tax evasion scandal and its unintended consequences to law-abiding US citizens living in Switzerland.

· Options for Non-Compliant US Taxpayers

· The Current Voluntary Disclosure Program (see link below for copy of this presentation).

· Tax preparation and filing for normal returns and for the Voluntary Disclosure Program.

Our guest speakers were:

Charles C. Adams, Jr., Managing Partner, Hogan & Hartson

Geoffrey DeHaven, Enrolled Agent & US Certified Financial Planner (TM), US Tax Abroad

Milan Patel, Senior Associate, Withers LLP

Roy F. Ryan, Partner, Schellenberg Wittmer

Milan Patel gave an interesting presentation on the Voluntary Disclosure Program and has allowed us to publish a copy of his slides from the meeting. Click on the below image to download the presentation.

We concluded the rather depressing meeting with information on how to take action and raise the level of awareness of the unfair US tax policies and penalties Americans abroad face.

ACA has sent letters to President Obama and Secretary Timothy Geithner which can serve as good models for writing your own letter. You will find copies of these letters at: http://www.aca.ch/joomla/images/pdfs/geithner.pdf and http://www.aca.ch/joomla/images/pdfs/obama.pdf.

ACA also prepared a useful document with instructions on How to write to Congress:

http://www.aca.ch/joomla/images/pdfs/obama.pdf