Americans Abroad

Most of us don't earn enough to have to pay taxes because we are under the 100,000 cap. I think that should be the exception for filing the extra paperwork. I mean I have a decent job and make a decent living and should not have to worry whether my bank account gets above either the 10k or 50k limits (which really need to be raised to 100k and 500k), but I do. I have resorted to taking money out and using a safe at home until they fix this damn thing. I don't have the time or money to file the extra paperwork. So in a way I am technically breaking the law.

I think there are a lot of people out there that are misinformed about expatriates and why we live where we do. Certainly if I heard that from a Sanders supporter I'd start out by letting them know I only earn 40k a year and am not super rich. Because the cost of living is so low, it allows me to be frugal and save (something every family should be able to do, but aren't since most don't make enough money). Many of us also pay more taxes abroad to the country we live in because we have such great health care. I pay income tax, sales tax (on almost everything), a car registration tax, property tax (which is actually pretty low), and transaction taxes for whenever a car or house is sold or bought (I'm sure Germany is similar in that regard).