A question about the French citizenship you get

[demo2]

Just out of curiousity, if someone serves in the Legion and gets the French citizenship, are they then allowed to join the regular french armed forces as a citizen or would they still be limited to serving in the legion?

[mm66]

My question is, do you have to pay the full amount of back taxes at once? Or is there a grandfather clause?

[Pedro]

My question is, do you have to pay the full amount of back taxes at once? Or is there a grandfather clause?

and right along that line, for the American former legionnaires does uncle sam try to hit you with back taxes for the money you made while in the legion?

[Nickfury]

You have to declare your overseas earned income to Uncle Sam. However, you wont' actually pay taxes unless you make over about 81,000 dollars a year.
I work overseas so I have had to file, but not pay taxes. Then again, if you never intend to go back home you don't need to file. But if you don't file it could come back to haunt you if you ever need something from Uncle Sam. :)

[Porkscratchings]

Just out of curiousity, if someone serves in the Legion and gets the French citizenship, are they then allowed to join the regular french armed forces as a citizen or would they still be limited to serving in the legion?

U can apply for French citizenship when u have once u have been 3 yrs in the Legion.

A recipient of French citizenships gets a the same rights as a citizen by birth, including joining the regular French Army. But u should complete ur 5 yr contract before applying for the French Army. I don't think they'd accept applications from FFL deserters even if they r French nationals!

[ALEX LOCHRIE]

[QUOTE=Porkscratchings;66634]U can apply for French citizenship when u have once u have been 3 yrs in the Legion.

[Porkscratchings]

Thanks for the correction Alex Lochrie... I missed a bit there.

[mm66]

You have to declare your overseas earned income to Uncle Sam. However, you wont' actually pay taxes unless you make over about 81,000 dollars a year.
I work overseas so I have had to file, but not pay taxes. Then again, if you never intend to go back home you don't need to file. But if you don't file it could come back to haunt you if you ever need something from Uncle Sam. :)

Stupid question, how do you file?

[bulletxt]

CORRECTION TO THE ABOVE QUOTE!
...
Logically from that, you can surmise that anyone who refuses the offer to continue with the Legion would not be accepted into the regular army or be given French citizenship. It is something that has to be earned, not an automatic right of passage.

thanks for the info

[Scarybirds]

What is Frances policy on dual citizenship? And Americas? Is there any reason I can't have citizenship in both?

Sorry if I'm not asking the right people.

[Nickfury]

How do you file?

I went to a CPA/Tax preparer and asked them to do it. They couldn't do it when I was there as the software for foreign filings was not working or they didn't know the right codes. It took them almost 2 weeks to get it back to me, but it got done. I think most Tax Preparers won't be familiar with the forms, but they can figure it out. It cost me about 125 dollars to file. You generally pay based on the forms they file, not on hours of work.

[Karlshammar]

Are you sure of this, Lochrie? On the Legion's official recruitment site the FAQ states:

"We have a procedure known as “ Military regularization of situation” which can be used by any legionnaire after one year’s service."

"A legionnaire of foreign nationality can ask for French nationality after three years service."


CORRECTION TO THE ABOVE QUOTE!

Once you have 3 years service you can have your 'Situation Regulated'. That is, that your true identity, age and legal status is verified by the French authorities at your request. This does not allow you to apply for French citizenship. That can only be done at the end of your first contract (5 years) and it all depends on your regimental assessment. It is extremely rare for someone who is not offered a new contract to be accepted for French citizenship.

Logically from that, you can surmise that anyone who refuses the offer to continue with the Legion would not be accepted into the regular army or be given French citizenship. It is something that has to be earned, not an automatic right of passage.

[Karlshammar]

Both the U.S.A. and France allow dual citizenship.


What is Frances policy on dual citizenship? And Americas? Is there any reason I can't have citizenship in both?

Sorry if I'm not asking the right people.

[jenkies]

see if u get a new french identity can you get a american green card or visa with the new identity even though you have a criminal record with your old identity without the american embassy knowing?

[Maglan]

see if u get a new french identity can you get a american green card or visa with the new identity even though you have a criminal record with your old identity without the american embassy knowing?

I believe you only keep your assumed "Legion-given" identity for the time that you are in the Legion. After you decide to get out, you are no longer able to assume your fabricated identity, and as such, are ineligible for French citizenship. A precondition of applying for French citizenship is that you regularise your situation. In other words, as soon as you're done with the Legion, your criminal record could come back to haunt you. Anyone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[demo2]

CORRECTION TO THE ABOVE QUOTE!

Once you have 3 years service you can have your 'Situation Regulated'. That is, that your true identity, age and legal status is verified by the French authorities at your request. This does not allow you to apply for French citizenship. That can only be done at the end of your first contract (5 years) and it all depends on your regimental assessment. It is extremely rare for someone who is not offered a new contract to be accepted for French citizenship.

Logically from that, you can surmise that anyone who refuses the offer to continue with the Legion would not be accepted into the regular army or be given French citizenship. It is something that has to be earned, not an automatic right of passage.


thank you very much for the information. So if someone were to serve 5 years and leave, the citizenship would not be an option? It is conditional on continued service in the FFL?

[mac]

thank you very much for the information. So if someone were to serve 5 years and leave, the citizenship would not be an option? It is conditional on continued service in the FFL?

after having left with your "certificate de bonne conduite" you can apply as anyone else but you obviously have a certain advantage the fact that you ahve served the country and have payed your taxes for the last 5 years.

[ApldeAp]

the fact that you ahve served the country and have payed your taxes for the last 5 years.

Here's another thing that I still don't understand completely: how do you pay taxes in the legion?
I remember Cpl K saying something like "Me I declared my wages each year and only paid once in 10 years my taxes (If you know how to fill the form in there are ways).."
The only thing pretty I'm sure about is that you have to declare taxes locally while stationed overseas...

[mac]

Here's another thing that I still don't understand completely: how do you pay taxes in the legion?
I remember Cpl K saying something like "Me I declared my wages each year and only paid once in 10 years my taxes (If you know how to fill the form in there are ways).."
The only thing pretty I'm sure about is that you have to declare taxes locally while stationed overseas...

dont worry your section commander will sort it out for you

[jenkies]

still no answer to the question

[Karlshammar]

It was answered by Maglan. You cannot use this to get over a criminal record as a back door into another country. You will only keep your fictional identity while serving in the Legion, but as soon as you are either regularized or leave the Legion the identity is lost. Outside the Legion you are stuck with your old identity.


still no answer to the question