Uncle Sam tracks me, too

Re: “Uncle Sam unleashes tax hounds to hunt down a Canadian citizen,” by Ruth Jordan, Letters, Sept. 21. I was interested in the letter from Ruth Jordan, a Canadian citizen being “hunted down” by the Internal Revenue Service, as I also have been asked to send money to Uncle Sam.

She should consider herself “lucky.” I was told I owed $7,500, which has risen to $8,000 with various penalties and interest added on.

That my income is derived from pensions originating in Canada plus a part-time job doesn’t seem to matter. The IRS insists the money owed is from earnings in the U.S. in 2010.

I have been fighting this for almost a year now aided by an accountant in Salt Lake City. My problem seems to be that I do file U.S. tax forms each year even though I have no income there. I would advise anyone holding U.S. citizenship and living here to not file unless you do derive income from U.S. sources.

A few weeks ago, friends visiting from the U.S. suggested I ask for a W2 form, which supposedly shows the source of your income and the IRS uses to determine taxes owed.

Unlike Jordan, I did reach a lady by phone who checked my file and told me, “you don’t owe anything.” She promised to send me something confirming this over a month ago. I’m still waiting.

Recently I got another letter from the IRS telling me they would decide on my case and let me know within 45 days.

The suspense is killing me.

Earle Nault, Spruce Grove