Class Action Lawsuit Uncovers the Hidden Cost of Renouncing American Citizenship
Former US Citizens Pursue Restitution Lawsuits Unfold Against America to Reclaim Renunciation Fees
Ex-Americans are suing to reclaim the money they paid to renounce their citizenship.
Image Source: Peter Garrard Beck/Getty Images
Attention all fashion-forward individuals! We have some breaking news that will make you renounce your citizenship in style! A group of former Americans, clearly not willing to sacrifice their impeccably chic fashion sense, have filed a class-action lawsuit against the United States. And oh boy, it’s all about recovering those hefty renunciation fees and giving their bank accounts a much-needed makeover.
Here’s the deal: these fashionable renouncers argue that the fee to bid adieu to the Land of the Free is just too darn expensive. Can you blame them? We’re talking about a fee that was burning a $2,350-sized hole in their pockets since 2014. But fear not, my fellow fashionistas, because the State Department recently announced that they’re slashing the fee to a mere $450. It’s practically a bargain, darling! So now these fashion-forward litigants want to snatch back the difference quicker than you can say, “Where can I find a matching handbag?”
According to the complaint obtained by VoiceAngel, it seems the plaintiffs’ purses aren’t just filled with fabulousness, but also with righteous indignation. They claim the fees are “arbitrary, capricious, and illegal” because the money isn’t used for renunciation services at all. How scandalous! And here’s where the plot thickens: historically, renouncing your U.S. citizenship has been as free as snagging the last pair of designer shoes on sale. Gasp! The audacity!
But wait, there’s more! The dashing plaintiffs in this class-action lawsuit argue that the State Department’s proposed fee reduction is a direct result of another lawsuit brought in 2020. Clearly, these fashion-forward pioneers are paving the way for a more affordable future for all trendy citizens looking to make a stylish exit.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Why would anyone willingly give up their American citizenship and all the fabulous perks that come with it? Well, my dears, it seems that the strict financial reporting requirements for U.S. citizens living abroad are cramping their style. Take Nina Nelson, for example. She told The New York Times that renouncing her citizenship was “painful,” but she simply couldn’t bear the permanent stress of it all. And Esther Jenke? She had her own financial reasons for bidding farewell to Uncle Sam. Apparently, selling her foreign property would have meant paying those dreaded capital gains taxes. Girl, talk about a fashion faux pas!
While the State Department and the plaintiffs’ attorneys are not available for immediate fashion consultations, we must applaud these fashion-forward renouncers for making a statement with their stylish lawsuits. So, whether you’re rocking the latest runway trends or just looking for a way to avoid serving Uncle Sam any more of your hard-earned dollars, this case is definitely one to watch. Stay tuned for more updates, fashionable darlings!
Do you think the renunciation fees are an excessive fashion crime? Let us know in the comments below!
