REED AMENDMENT Meaning and
Definition
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The Reed Amendment refers to a United States law that was enacted in 1996, named after its sponsor, United States Representative Jack Reed of Rhode Island. It is an amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 and is primarily concerned with the issue of excludability based on a person's renunciation of United States citizenship for the purpose of avoiding taxes.
Under the Reed Amendment, if it is determined by the Attorney General that an individual has officially renounced their US citizenship with the principal intent of avoiding taxation in the United States, that person can be deemed inadmissible and denied entry into the country. This law aims to deter people from renouncing their US citizenship solely for the purpose of evading taxes.
The Reed Amendment is considered to be somewhat controversial and has been rarely utilized due to its vague and difficult-to-prove nature. Critics argue that it violates the constitutional right to expatriate and is an infringement on personal freedom. Supporters, on the other hand, claim that it serves as a deterrent against tax evasion and countries that do not fully comply with international tax obligations.
Overall, the Reed Amendment is a legal provision in the United States meant to address the issue of individuals renouncing their citizenship to avoid taxes, but its practical application and effectiveness have been debated.
Etymology of REED AMENDMENT
The term "Reed Amendment" is not derived from a specific etymology or word origin. Instead, it is named after the US Congressman Jack Reed who proposed the Reed Amendment as an addition to the US immigration law in 1996. The Reed Amendment addresses the issue of inadmissibility into the United States for individuals who have renounced their US citizenship for the purpose of avoiding taxation.
