US Citizens abroad must file tax returns with the IRS every year. It doesn't matter if they don't live in the US, don't earn income in the US or have property there. The IRS is becoming more interested in collecting penalties from such citizens abroad. From CBC Radio 1, August 16, 2011.
The fines are imposed even if you owed zero taxes through FBAR. Even if the American made ZERO of the dollars in the household. I am a stay at home mom and the only American in my family. My Canadian spouse makes all of our income but, that too must be reported on an FBAR and any fine will come out of a CANADIANS income. This is happening to people who have never been American too and their children. Many are forced to renounce over it as it is causing problems in marriages. Obama fix this!
CAFREEB 3 months ago