More Information and More Information: USCIS Creates New Form for Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Residency
The U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) just announced on 23 March 2015, that a new Form I-407 is available and is to be used, per the USCIS website announcement, which announcment provides in part as follows:
New Version of Form I-407 Now Available
USCIS has published a new edition of USCIS Form I-407, Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Status (OMB No. 1615-0130). You can download the form on our website.
You may begin using the revised Form I-407, Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status today. The current edition is dated 02/26/2015, and we will not accept previous form editions
The new form has additional information compared to the prior form. Specifically, the Alien Registration Number and USCIS ELIS Account Number is required to be included.
Now, the individual is required to state the reasons for abandoning lawful permanent residency status.
Responses to each of these questions will have important legal consequences, including potential tax implications under IRC Sections 877, 877A, et. seq. See, for instance a prior post: What could be the focal point of IRS Criminal Investigations of Former U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents?
One of the important enforcement and practical questions raised, is: Will the IRS be able to better track former “long-term residents” (certain former lawful permanent residents) for purposes of the “expatriation tax” under the new reporting form and system?
As has been explained, if an individual fails to certify under the tax law, they will necessarily be a “covered expatriate”; even if they do not meet the asset or income tax liability thresholds. See a prior post, Certification Requirement of Section 877(a)(2)(C) – (5 Years of Tax Compliance) and Important Timing Considerations per the Statute.