Donald Trump’s New Tax Promise: Eliminating Income Taxes for Americans Abroad

[Social Media]

 

In the final stretch of his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump has made a bold new promise to eliminate US income taxes for Americans living abroad. This latest proposal joins a growing list of plans aimed at cutting personal tax bills. Trump has also floated the idea of exempting tipped wages, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits from taxation, all part of his broader strategy to lessen the tax burden on Americans.

 

In a statement aimed at American expatriates, Trump declared, "I support ENDING the Double Taxation of overseas Americans!" He added, "Let’s put America First, together. Register to Vote, and vote Republican." Currently, US citizens, no matter where they reside in the world, must file tax information with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Some expatriates are required to pay US taxes in addition to the levies they pay in the country where they live. Trump's plan could simplify these obligations for the approximately 9 million Americans the State Department estimates live abroad.

 

The tax system, as it stands, does not mean all expats owe money to the IRS. The tax code provides credits to offset federal taxes owed, and individuals earning less than $126,500 are not required to pay any US taxes. However, advocates for changing the taxation of Americans abroad point out that these IRS rules contribute to a trend where a few thousand people renounce their US citizenship annually. It is typically higher-earning expatriates who face the most significant tax bills under current rules. If implemented, Trump’s plan could potentially allow wealthier Americans to relocate to low-tax countries and avoid paying US taxes altogether.

 

The Wall Street Journal was the first to report Trump’s proposal. While the plan would reduce paperwork and likely lower tax bills for Americans abroad, it would require approval from Congress. If successful, it could mark a significant shift in how the US handles expatriate taxation.

 

This pledge to eliminate taxes for Americans living overseas is just one piece of Trump’s broader tax-cutting agenda. Throughout his campaign, he has championed efforts to reduce household and corporate tax burdens. Trump has promised to push for a renewal of the 2017 tax overhaul, much of which is set to expire at the end of next year. These sweeping tax proposals, if implemented, could amount to more than $10 trillion over a decade, according to estimates from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

 

While Trump’s plan offers relief for Americans abroad, it contrasts with his approach to US-based businesses. He has called for lowering the corporate tax rate to 15 percent from the current 21 percent, but only for companies that manufacture inside the US. Companies that operate overseas, on the other hand, could face higher tax rates and tariffs if they attempt to sell their products to American consumers. 

 

Widespread tariffs are a core component of Trump’s economic strategy. Last month, he threatened to impose steep import duties on Deere & Co., a major US farm machinery manufacturer, if the company moved its manufacturing operations to Mexico.

 

As the 2024 election approaches, Trump’s tax-cutting promises continue to grow, appealing to various groups, from expatriates to domestic manufacturers. Whether these proposals will come to fruition, however, depends on the outcome of the election and the willingness of Congress to support such sweeping changes to the US tax system.

 

Based on a report from Business Standard 2024-10-11

 

 

 

[mdr224]

Kamala will announce this as her policy too next week

[ukrules]

4 minutes ago, mdr224 said:

Kamala will announce this as her policy too next week

Lol, no chance on that.

[Cryingdick]

His other new one is making interest on cars tax deductible. That would be huge for the auto industry and almost countless small businesses.

[CANSIAM]

Perhaps DT will be one of those expatriates abroad after his Nov. 5th loss.......😉

[Jingthing]

First step towards cutting off social security for expats.

[Tug]

Ahhh trump PROMISE that’s worth a fart in the wind…..might get some of the Uber wealthy excited skip on there taxes leaving the burden on regular folks.

[Cryingdick]

39 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

First step towards cutting off social security for expats.

 

I wouldn't object to that. It would also pave the way to make it so you cant vote if you 'don't  live in the USA. As you no longer face taxation without representation. 

[Chomper Higgot]

He also promised to build a wall.

 

 

[impulse]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

First step towards cutting off social security for expats.

 

There are a lot of people who would gladly forego social security in favor of a self-directed investment.  Remember that SS takes 15% of your pay for your entire career (with limits if you make a bundle).  Disciplined investors could do a lot better in the market if they invested that 15% themselves.  The key word there being "disciplined".

 

He won't take SS away from anyone who has contributed.  That's a different bucket from income taxes.

 

[HappyExpat57]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

"... has made a bold new promise ..."

Don't you mean "opened his mouth and yet another lie fell out?"

[JonnyF]

2 hours ago, mdr224 said:

Kamala will announce this as her policy too next week

 

Harris has been very clear on this. In fact she couldn't have been more clear.

 

When asked she replied "well let me start by saying that when I was child, living in my little middle class neighbourhood, my parents also paid tax". 

[wombat]

[JCauto]

For once he's showing some sense and planning for the future. Like always however, it's for his own future, nothing to do with anyone else. Once he's been tossed into the dustbin of history after he gets his butt kicked in the election by an ethic woman, he's surely heading for Russia or anywhere other than America, a place he clearly despises as he says in practically every location he goes. So he's greasing the skids so that he doesn't get taxed in America from whichever dictatorship offers him sanctuary. 

 

By the way, where are those budget hawks that our RW friends inevitably turn into once the Democrats win the election? Aren't you concerned about the deficit all this tax-cutting will result in? You do know that Trump raised the deficit by over $4 Trillion when he was President, right? 

[thaipo7]

6 hours ago, Tug said:

Ahhh trump PROMISE that’s worth a fart in the wind…..might get some of the Uber wealthy excited skip on there taxes leaving the burden on regular folks.

I know.  Harris's promise of higher taxes is about the only promise she will keep, along with limiting free speech, take away our guns, telling us what kind of car we must buy.  You know all the Marxist things.

[scorecard]

6 hours ago, CANSIAM said:

Perhaps DT will be one of those expatriates abroad after his Nov. 5th loss.......😉

 

Antarctica on a one way ticket would be good. 

[Wake Up1]

I am glad Congress must pass tax policy. Why do people believe the President controls tax policy ?  

 

 

 

[Hakuna Matata]

[Celsius]

43 minutes ago, JCauto said:

after he gets his butt kicked in the election by an ethic woman,

 

Indian, black or caucasian?

[JonnyF]

7 minutes ago, Celsius said:

 

Indian, black or caucasian?

 

Depends on the crowd she is addressing.

[JCauto]

6 minutes ago, Celsius said:

 

Indian, black or caucasian?

Mixed race I guess would be the designation. That bother you also? Hopefully Kamala's Presidency will lead America to a kinder and gentler place even before the racist boomers die off. 

[JCauto]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

Depends on the crowd she is addressing.

 

Yet it only seems to matter to people like yourself. Wonder why? 

[Taco]

The guy is getting desperate. First off the presidents job is not to write laws. Second, it would never pass the house nor senate. In typical Trump fashion, he doesn’t care about the future nor the national debt. He will lie about anything to get his angry mob excited and then revert back to helping rich people and trade US connections in office to get more Trump hotels and golf courses built overseas. When he looses he will just sell more Trump bibles, watches and sneakers. Typical snake oil salesman. 

[timendres]

It is what we call an "empty promise", since the US and Thailand have a DTA.

For ten years, I never paid a dime in US taxes on income earned in Thailand.

I am sure there are some who would benefit, but the number would be small.

[Moti24]

Donald Trump’s New Tax Promise: Eliminating Income Taxes for Americans Abroad

 

Very noble of him!  Being as a lot of countries, like Thailand, are going to be claiming taxes from all foreigners who reside in those countries for more that 180 days, Trump is giving Americans Abroad SWA.  It just saves Americans Abroad from the hassle of claiming a tax refund. 

 

Trump comes out with many promises, which are just Bullsh1t wrapped in hypocrisy.

[Cameroni]

What a great idea. This man is a genius!

 

The overblown taxation of Americans has to be simplified.

 

How does he come up with all this stuff? Incredibly brilliant.

[wwest5829]

9 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

 

I wouldn't object to that. It would also pave the way to make it so you cant vote if you 'don't  live in the USA. As you no longer face taxation without representation. 

I was waiting for this attitude from someone on the right wing. Let’s cut off earned SS if you were economically forced to be an economic refugee who can not afford an earned working middle class retirement in the USA.  Afterall, those who have been “outsourced” are no longer Americans.  And we already deny them earned Medicare outside the USA (unless you are fully retired US military … then, you get global healthcare coverage through Tricare … both military and civilian retirees continue to have to pay monthly premiums for Medicare, Part B). They abandoned the USA (where they earned their retirement in the USA as a citizen. Would you care to expand to declare, if you are too poor to owe taxes, you should not have the right to vote?

[wwest5829]

6 minutes ago, Moti24 said:

Donald Trump’s New Tax Promise: Eliminating Income Taxes for Americans Abroad

 

Very noble of him!  Being as a lot of countries, like Thailand, are going to be claiming taxes from all foreigners who reside in those countries for more that 180 days, Trump is giving Americans Abroad SWA.  It just saves Americans Abroad from the hassle of claiming a tax refund. 

 

Trump comes out with many promises, which are just Bullsh1t wrapped in hypocrisy.

Not to mention again inflating the debt by refusing to tax to cover costs.

[Cameroni]

2 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

Not to mention again inflating the debt by refusing to tax to cover costs.

 

The debt is a non-issue according to a large number of economists.

[wwest5829]

47 minutes ago, timendres said:

It is what we call an "empty promise", since the US and Thailand have a DTA.

For ten years, I never paid a dime in US taxes on income earned in Thailand.

I am sure there are some who would benefit, but the number would be small.

I’m thinking it would be a boon for wealthy Americans not being subject to  US taxation. Just maintain aone of your foreign address  as a tax residency (preferably a country which does not tax your income).