Woman Explains Why She May Give Up US Citizenship
An American woman who has lived abroad for nearly three decades is publicly considering renouncing her US citizenship, pointing to the country's global tax system, her multiple foreign passports, and concerns over America's $39 trillion national debt.
In a TikTok video under the handle @gracepacifica, the woman said she left the United States in 1996 and has not returned to live there. Despite her long absence, the US government still requires her to file annual tax returns—a burden she finds increasingly hard to accept.
Three Passports, No Need for American One
One of her primary reasons is that she no longer needs a US passport. Since leaving America, she has acquired citizenship in Canada, Taiwan, and the Netherlands, and now lives permanently in Europe.
As she stated in the video: "I haven't lived in the US since the '90s and haven't used my American passport since I became Canadian."
With three alternative travel documents, she described her US passport as functionally redundant in her daily life.
US Tax Rules and $39 Trillion Debt
Her second concern centers on taxation. The United States is one of the few countries that taxes citizens based on nationality rather than residency, meaning Americans abroad must still file IRS returns regardless of where they live or pay local taxes.
She acknowledged: "I don't have to pay…yet because I don't make enough, but I might one day."
Her third reason involves longer-term economic fears. She pointed to the US national debt of roughly $39 trillion and questioned what measures the government might take if the debt becomes unsustainable.
She summarized: "If they already chase their citizens around the world for taxes, who knows what else they'll do if their debt holders come to collect."
Her position is clear: "I left the US in 1996 and still get chased around the world for taxes. I also have three other passports, so I'm thinking about renouncing my American citizenship."
Background: Nigerian Lady Celebrates British Citizenship
In related news, a Nigerian lady recently celebrated becoming a British citizen after about five years in the UK. She shared a video of receiving her citizenship, describing it as a huge relief after navigating UK immigration rules. Many social media users congratulated her.
