Stars And Stripes Malta: Latest News

L-Ambaxxata ta’ Malta ċċelebrat Jum l-Ewropa

2015-05-15T08:38:00.001+02:00

L-Ambaxxata ta’ Malta f'Washington ċċelebrat Jum l-Ewropa fid-9 ta’ Mejju bil-ftuħ tal-bibien tagħha għall-pubbliku bħala parti mill-avveniment ‘EU Open House’. Id-Delegazzjoni tal-Unjoni Ewropea u l-Ambaxxati ta’ 28 Stat Membru tal-Unjoni Ewropea lejn l-Istati Uniti saru jiftħu l-bibien tagħhom għall-pubbliku f’Washington matul dan l-avveniment annwali li sar il-qofol tal-kalendarju kulturali ta’ Mejju f’din il-belt. Matul dan il-jum, il-pubbliku jiġi offrut ħarsa rari ġewwa l-bini ta’ dawn l-Ambaxxati u jiġi pprovdut opportunità unika sabiex jesperjenza il-wirt kulturali u t-tradizzjonijiet nazzjonali ta’ dawn il-pajjiżi.

Aktar minn 1,000 viżitaturi esperjenzaw l-ospitalità Maltija hekk kif kienu milqugħa fl-Ambaxxata Maltija b'togħma ta’ qagħaq tal-ġunġlien, torta tat-tamal u rinfreski. L-istaff tal-Ambaxxata wieġeb mistoqsijiet dwar l-istorja, l-lingwa, l-kultura, l-ekonomija u l-ħajja f’Malta filwaqt li qassmu materjal promozzjonali dwar Malta. Videos tal-ħafna attrazzjonijiet u pajsaġġi xeniċi f’Malta ġew murija matul il-ġurnata. Filwaqt li xi wħud minn dawk li żaru l-Ambaxxata kienu diġà żaru l-Gżejjer Maltin, oħrajn kienu ħerqana biex jesperjenzaw Malta għall-ewwel darba u fittxew l-informazzjoni dwar il-vjaġ lejn Malta u attrazjonijiet turistiċi.

Matul il-jum, ċ-Ċentru ta’ Studju Malti fi ħdan il-Mużew u Librerija tal-Manuskritti Hill, nieda wirja dwar l-istorja ta' l-arkivji Maltin u l-ħidma għall-preservazzjoni tagħhom li qiegħda titwettaq miċ-Ċentru ta’ Studju Malti. Il-wirja kienet tinkludi diversi panels illustrati li jiddeskrivu l-wirt arkivjali għani ta' Malta, li jinkludi r-repożitorji ewlenin fosthom dawk ta' l-Arkivji tal-Katidral, l-Arkivji Nazzjonali, l-Arkivji Nutarili, l-Arkivji ta' l-Ordni ta' Malta li jinstabu fil-Librerija Nazzjonali, u l-Arkivji Olof Gollcher fil-Mużew tad-Dar Storika, Palazzo Falson.

Dan l-avveniment offra liċ-Ċentru ta’ Studju Malti opportunità unika biex jenfasizza l-istorja manuskritt rikka ta' Malta u l-arkivji tagħha lill-membri ta' l-UE u l-viżitaturi mill-Istati Uniti fl-ambaxxata bħala preparazzjoni għall-2018 meta l-Belt Valletta sejra tkun il-Kapitali Kulturali tal-Ewropa.

Embassy of Malta celebrates Europe Day

2015-05-15T08:37:00.001+02:00

The Embassy of Malta in Washington celebrated Europe Day on the 9th of May by opening its doors to the public as part of the EU Open House event.

This year the Ambassador HE Marisa Micallef organised a cultural event about Malta’s rich treasure of archives with the support of the Malta Study Centre in Minnesota and the collaboration of the Honorary Consul General Mr. Joseph Micallef.

Dr. Daniel Gullo of the Malta Study Centre of the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library curated an exhibit showcasing the history of the Maltese archives and the preservation work of the Malta Study Centre. The exhibit included several illustrated panels describing the rich archival heritage of Malta, including the major repositories of the Cathedral Archives, National Archives, Notarial Archives, the Archives of the Order of Malta held in the National Library, and the Olof Gollcher Archives at the Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum.

The event offered the Malta Study Centre a unique opportunity to highlight the rich manuscript history of Malta and its archives to members of the E.U. and U.S. visitors to the embassy in preparation for Valletta being the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2018.

The Delegation of the European Union and the Embassies of 28 EU Member States to the United States open their doors to the Washington public during this annual event which has become the highlight of the city’s May cultural calendar. On this day, the public is offered a rare look inside the Embassy buildings and is provided with a unique opportunity to experience the countries’ cultural heritage and national traditions.

More than 1,000 visitors experienced Maltese hospitality first hand as they were welcomed into the Maltese Embassy with a taste of homemade ‘qagħaq tal-ġunġlen’ (sesame rings), ‘torta tat-tamal’ (date cake) and refreshments made by the Embassy’s own housekeeper.

The Embassy’s staff answered questions about Maltese history, language, culture, economy and way of life, and distributed promotional material on Malta .Videos of Malta’s many attractions and scenic landscapes were shown throughout the day. While some of those visiting the Embassy had already visited and fallen in love with the islands, others were eager to experience Malta for the first time and sought information on travelling to and visiting Malta.

Photographic exhibition "Discover the USA" open to the public, May 8-25, 2015

2015-05-07T08:58:00.001+02:00

The U.S. Embassy cordially invites you and your family/guests to visit a photographic exhibition “Discover the USA” at St. James Cavalier Center for Creativity between May 8 and 25, 2015.

Malta – An Educational Hub In The Mediterranean

2015-05-07T08:56:00.001+02:00

The American University of Malta (AUM) proposed project, a €115 million investment, envisaged to create 400 new jobs whilst also hosting 4,000 students was announced today by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

After an introduction given by Sadeen Group on the launch of the project, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat gave a closing speech by sharing two good news where he reiterated that the AUM project is aimed at consolidating Malta’s already excellent reputation whilst also serving as an education hub in the Mediterranean.

Dr Muscat continued by saying that, the proposed project will aid in accelerating the development and the attraction which Malta poses as an education destination for students from all over the region and beyond.

The Prime Minister went on further in expressing his satisfaction that Sadeen Group chose Malta as the destination for this investment and also for them having teamed up with the acclaimed De Paul University of Chicago, which will offer international students a cutting edge experience in Malta.

Whilst admitting that he was looking forward to having Maltese students avail themselves of these world class programmes, the Prime Minister said that the government will be negotiating hard for scholarships to be offered to Maltese students. The Prime Minister also urged this new addition to the education eco-system to work with the other institutions, namely the University of Malta, Barts Medical School, the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology, and the Institute for Tourism Studies, amongst others and claimed that, such synergies, can result in value-added to the Maltese economy.

The Prime Minister said that the AUM project will be based in the underestimated southern part of Malta which so far has only seen polluting investments and will be conceived within the framework of sustainable development, blending into the environment with cutting edge technologies.

Dr Muscat then announced the second equally important good news which is the establishment of a National Natural Park in Marsascala. This park will include the foreshore and the area adjacent to the zone earmarked for the AUM. It will include at least 450 to 500 tumoli of land which will be permanently protected.

Also part of this second proposal is the AUM’s aim at opening sport facilities to the local communities and the rehabilitation of the former national pool giving the communities of the area the much needed recreational and sport facilities.

The government, said Dr Muscat, is sending a clear message, that it is as serious about the environment as it is about creating wealth and distributing it in a fair manner.

Informazjoni fuq FATCA

2015-04-22T08:12:00.000+02:00

Peress li fis-26 ta’ Ġunju, 2014, f’Malta daħlet fis-seħħ liġi ġdida: il-Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), minn dakinhar inbidlu ħafna affarijiet dwar kif wieħed jimla l-formoli tat-taxxa tal-Amerika. Il-FATCA hu ftehim bejn Malta u l-Amerika li bih iż-żewġ gvernijiet qablu li jaqsmu ma’ xulxin informazzjoni dwar accounts finanzjarji li ‘U.S. Persons’ għandhom kemm f’Malta kif ukoll fl-Amerika u pajjiżi oħrajn. Hawnhekk se nipprova nispjega fil-qosor u b’mod li jista’ jifhmu kulħadd kif din il-liġi tista’ taffettwak. Aqra sewwa dawn id-dettalji ħalli tifhem kif int se tiġi affettwat u liema sitwazzjoni tapplika għalik.

Il-gvern Amerikan diġà għandu diversi ftehimiet ma’ ħafna pajjiżi fir-rigward ta’ din il-liġi tal-FACTA, u fil-futur qarib hu mistenni li pajjiżi li sal-lum għadhom ma daħħlux fis-seħħ din il-liġi, se jdaħħluha. Dan ifisser li se jsir kważi impossibbli li U.S. Person tista’ taħbi l-flus tagħha f’pajjiżi barra mill-Amerika, tkun fejn tkun tgħix fid-dinja.

1. Xi tfisser U.S. Person?

U.S. Person hi kwalunkwe persuna li hi:

a) ċittadin Amerikan – jiġifieri persuna li għandha passaport Amerikan. Dan jinkludi persuni li għandhom ċittadinanza doppja (eż. Maltija u Amerikana); jew

b) persuna li għandha Green Card. Din il-persuna tissejjaħ Resident Alien, u għal skopijiet ta’ taxxa, hi kkunsidrata l-istess bħal ċittadin Amerikan. Dan jinkludi wkoll:
• persuni li l-Green Card tagħhom skadiet jew tilfuha, jew
• persuni li l-Green Card tagħhom itteħditilhom minn xi Ambaxxata Amerikana fi kwalunkwe pajjiż u ma ngħatawx riċevuta jew ittra li sar hekk; iżda ma jinkludix
• persuna li tkun irċeviet avviż bil-miktub mill-U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) li l-Green Card tagħha ġiet revokata. Dan ifisser li dik il-persuna m’għadhiex ikkunsidrata iżjed li hi U.S. Person. (ara http://www.IRS.gov/pub/IRS-pdf/p4588.pdf)

2. Kif se taffettwani l-FATCA?

Jekk inti U.S. Person kif definit hawn fuq, il-FATCA se taffettwak kif ġej. Dan japplika kemm jekk qed tgħix f’Malta kif ukoll fi kwalunkwe pajjiż li għandu ftehim mal-Amerika dwar il-FATCA:

a) Il-banek ta’ Malta (u entitajiet finanzjarji oħrajn, bħall-Borża ta’ Malta, kumpaniji tal-insurance jew stockbrokers) se jidentifikaw dawk il-persuni li jaqgħu taħt id-definizzjoni ta’ U.S. Person u se jibagħtu d-dettalji dwar l-accounts li għandhom dawk il-persuni lill-gvern Malti, li min-naħa tiegħu se jaqsam din l-informazzjoni mal-Internal Revenue Service (IRS), li hu d-dipartiment tat-taxxa tal-Amerika. Min-naħa tagħhom, l-IRS se jagħmlu l-istess mal-gvern Malta (jiġifieri, se jibagħtu lill-gvern ta’ Malta dettalji dwar accounts li dik il-U.S. Person ikollha l-Amerika). Dan jinkludi kemm il-persuna kellha flus f’kull account, l-imgħax li qalgħet kull sena, u dettalji oħrajn.

b) Il-U.S. Persons huma obbligati bil-liġi Amerikana li jimlew IRS Form 8938 - Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, għal accounts finanzjarji (inklużi bank accounts, time deposits/CDs, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities u insurance contracts) li għandhom barra mill-Amerika, jekk jinqabeż l-ammont imsemmi f’paragrafu c) hawn taħt. Dan għandu jsir kull sena. Il-multa għal min ma jimliex din il-formola hi ta’ $10,000.

c) Dawn li ġejjin huma l-ammonti (threshholds) għal U.S. Persons li jgħixu barra mill-Amerika s-sena kollha jew li għamlu mill-inqas 330 jum (madwar 11-il xahar) jgħixu barra mill-Amerika. Jekk dawn l-ammonti jinqabżu, dak li jkun irid jimla din il-formola. Il-multa għal min ma jimliex din il-formola hi ta’ $10,000. Din il-formola trid tinbagħat kull sena mal-formola tat-taxxa sal-15 ta’ April (jekk ikun hemm xi ħlas ta’ taxxa dovut) iżda mhux iktar tard mit-30 ta’ Ġunju jekk tintalab filing extension. Jekk ma jkunx hemm taxxa dovuta u jekk ma tkunx obbligat timla l-formola tat-taxxa għal dik is-sena partikulari, din il-formola m’hemmx bżonn li timtela, anki jekk l-ammonti t’hawn taħt jinqabżu.

• Persuni mhux miżżewġin/romol: Jekk il-valur totali tal-assets finazjarji barra mill-Amerika jkun ta’ iktar minn $200,000 fl-aħħar jum tas-sena jew iktar minn $300,000 fi kwalunkwe ħin matul is-sena;

• Persuni miżżewġin li jimlew il-formola tat-taxxa tal-Amerika bħala Joint Return: Jekk il-valuri totali tal-assets finazjarji barra mill-Amerika jkun ta’ iktar minn $400,000 fl-aħħar jum tas-sena jew iktar minn $600,000 fi kwalunkwe ħin matul is-sena;

• Persuni miżżewġin li jimlew il-formola tat-taxxa tal-Amerika bħala Separate Return: Jekk il-valuri totali tal-assets finazjarji barra mill-Amerika jkun ta’ iktar minn $200,000 fl-aħħar jum tas-sena jew iktar minn $300,000 fi kwalunkwe ħin matul is-sena.

d) Il-U.S. Persons huma wkoll obbligati li jissottomettu online Form TD F 90-22.1 “Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts” (FBAR) jekk l-ammont totali tal-bank accounts tagħhom barra mill-Amerika (inklużi stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities u insurance contracts) ikun ta’ aktar minn US$10,000 (jiġifieri madwar €9,250) fi kwalunkwe ħin matul is-sena. Hemm multa għal min ma jissottomettix din l-informazzjoni (l-inqas multa hi ta’ US$10,000). Dan ifisser li kull min jaqa’ taħt id-definizzjoni ta’ U.S. Person irid jimla u jibgħat din il-formola, għax nassumi li kulħadd għandu talinqas €9,250 il-bank hawn Malta. Din il-formola trid timtela online mhux aktar tard mit-30 ta’ Ġunju.

3. Ħelsien mit-Taxxa Doppja

Jekk inti U.S. Person kif definit hawn fuq, u qed tgħix Malta, inti suppost li qed tiddikjara d-dħul kollu minn kwalunkwe sors madwar id-dinja, kull sena lill-IRS. Iżda, billi hemm Double Taxation Agreement bejn Malta u l-Amerika:

a) mhux suppost li se tħallas taxxa doppja fuq xogħol u qligħ li tkun għamilt f’Malta u li fuqu qed tħallas it-taxxa Malta. Dan japplika wkoll għal imgħax u dividends;
b) il-pensjoni tas-Social Security mhijiex taxxabbli f’Malta u l-pensjoni tal-irtirar ta’ Malta mhijiex taxxabbli l-Amerika;
c) imgħax iddikjarat l-Amerika u li fuqu tħallset it-taxxa l-Amerika, mhuwiex taxxabbli f’Malta (avolja xorta jrid jiġi ddikjarat). Imgħax iddikjarat f’Malta u li fuqu tħallset it-taxxa Malta, mhuwiex taxxabbli l-Amerika (avolja xorta jrid jiġi ddikjarat).

4. X’għandi nagħmel?

Biex tevita problemi mal-awtoritajiet tat-taxxa Maltin u Amerikani fil-futur, hu rakkomandat li tagħmel dan li ġej:

a) tiċċekkja ma’ kull bank/entità finanzjarja li magħhom għandek flus investiti, biex tara jekk humiex obbligati jirrappurtaw informazzjoni lill-IRS dwar il-kontijiet li għandek magħhom;
b) jekk inti taqa’ taħt id-definizzjoni ta’ U.S. Person, u għandek kontijiet f’xi bank/entità finanzjarja Maltija jew barra mill-Amerika, u l-ammont totali tagħhom fi kwalunkwe ħin matul is-sena kien ta’ iktar minn US$10,000 (€9,250), għandek timla online Form TD F 90-22.1 “Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts” (FBAR) qabel it-30 ta’ Ġunju;
c) jekk it-total tal-kontijiet kollha li għandek fil-banek/entitajiet finanzjarji Maltin/barra mill-Amerika jaqbeż l-ammonti msemmija għall-IRS Form 8938 - Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets hawn fuq, għandek timla u tibgħat din il-formola malajr kemm jista’ jkun.
d) tiddikjara l-imgħax/dividends/pensjonijiet tal-union/pensjonijiet oħrajn (imma mhux tas-Social Security) u qligħ ieħor li għandek dieħel mill-Amerika fuq il-formola tat-taxxa ta’ Malta.
e) Tħallas il-Final Withholding Tax fuq l-imgħax/dividends kollha lokali, għax jekk le, jista’ jagħti l-każ li jkollok tħallas rata ogħla ta’ taxxa fuq il-formola tat-taxxa Amerikana.

Nissuġġerixxi li titkellem mal-Compliance Officer/Manager ta’ kull bank/entità finanzjarja li għandek xi account magħha, jew ma’ xi ħadd (pereżempju xi ħadd fid-Dipartiment tat-Taxxa ta’ Malta) li jifhem fuq din il-liġi tal-FATCA, biex tara kif se taffettwak. Jekk tal-bank jgħidulek li m’intix imniżżel fir-records tagħhom bħala U.S. Person kif definit hawn fuq, dan ma jfissirx li għandek isserraħ rasek, għax malli tiftaħ xi account ġdid fi kwalunkwe bank, suppost li se tiġi mistoqsi jekk intix ċittadin Amerikan jew jekk għandekx Green Card, u se tintalab tiffirma formola (jew W-9 jew W8-BEN, skont jekk intix ċittadin Amerikan jew Green Card holder). Jekk dan jiġri, jien qed nassumi li kull account li għandek f’dak il-bank se jiġi aġġornat u mmarkat li hu ta’ U.S. Person, u jekk tkun immarkat hekk f’bank wieħed, iċ-ċansijiet huma li llum jew għada, kull account li għandek Malta se jkun immarkat li hu ta’ U.S. Person, u b’hekk il-FATCA tibda tapplika għalik. Illum, bis-software li għandhom il-banek, hu faċli ħafna li jsibu l-informazzjoni kollha li jridu jsibu dwarek.

5. Hemm xi mod kif nista’ neħlisha minn din il-liġi tal-FATCA jekk jien U.S. Person?

Safejn naf jien hemm mod wieħed biss biex tagħmel dan – li tiċħad il-Green Card jew iċ-ċittadinanza Amerikana tiegħek.

• Biex tiċħad il-Green Card, trid timla u tibgħat INS Form I-407 flimkien mal-Green Card tiegħek. Ma trid tħallas xejn biex tagħmel din il-proċedura. Din il-proċedura teħilsek minn kull effett tal-FATCA, iżda, jekk tiċħad il-Green Card, mhux se tkun tista’ timla aktar il-formola tat-taxxa tal-Amerika biex iġġib lura t-taxxa ta’ 30% li tkun inżammitlek minn fuq is-Social Security benefits li tirċievi mill-Amerika.

• Biex tiċħad iċ-ċittadinanza Amerikana tiegħek, il-proċess hu iktar twil u kkumplikat u hemm spiża ta’ $2,350 biex tapplika biex tiċħadha. Jista’ jkollok tħallas ukoll taxxa speċjali (exit tax) jekk għandek net worth għolja.

Minħabba din il-liġi tal-FATCA, il-formola tat-taxxa tal-Amerika saret iktar ikkumplikata u tieħu ħafna iktar ħin biex timtela. Li taħbi jew tigdeb fuq xi account jew ma tirrappurtax xi ammonti ta’ qligħ li suppost li tiddikjara, se jfisser biss li llum jew għada tkun qed iġġib il-ġebla fuq saqajk, u bil-mezzi li hawn illum, hemm ċans kbir li tinqabad. Jien ma rrid inbeżża’ lil ħadd, imma nħossni fid-dmir li lil dak li jkun nurih l-istampa kollha u l-konsegwenzi kollha li jista’ jiffaċċja, u nħalli lilu jiddeċiedi jekk iridx jorqod rasu mistrieħa jew joqgħod jinkwieta u jħammem il-ħin kollu jekk hux se jinqabad. L-għażla hi f’idejk, u f’idejk biss. Issa għandek l-informazzjoni kollha.

How does FATCA affect you?

2015-02-28T11:30:00.001+01:00

What prompted me to get in touch was a recent spate of communication by some of you regarding FATCA. Some people who spoke to me are seriously concerned about the state of events and there is a lot of controversy about it.

The not-for-profit organization ACA claims that one of FATCA's problems is citizenship-based taxation. ACA is calling for the US to change its taxation system to a residence-based taxation as is the case with ALL other OECD countries.

The following links can give you a better insight into the subject:

We would like to hear your thoughts and opinions on how this will affect you.

US Ambassador Adresses Fatca Information Event

2015-02-26T09:13:00.001+01:00

American citizens residing in Malta, including a number of returned Maltese migrants attended an information session at which the US FATCA legislation and its impact were explained by industry experts.

Her Excellency Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the US Ambassador to Malta was keynote speaker. Her opening address urged US taxpayers living in Malta to ensure their US tax affairs are in order.

Dr. Jonathan Phyall, Senior Legal & Compliance Officer at APS Bank Ltd explained that the Inter-Governmental Agreement signed between the Malta and US governments to implement FATCA imposes certain obligations on Maltese banks and financial institutions. As of this year, Maltese financial institutions are required to report to Malta’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) financial assets held by American citizens in Malta. The first such report covering the period 1st July 2014 to 31st December 2014 is due shortly in April 2015.

Mr. Pierre Vella, a Project Manager at the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) described how the information collected from financial institutions and reported to the IRD will be transmitted to the Inland Revenue Service (IRS), the US tax authority.

Mr. Massimo Pelli, European Manager of Corporate TeamWorks Inc, a leading US tax consultancy represented in Malta by Athena International Ltd took the floor next. He clarified the point that all holders of US Passports or valid Green Cards have an obligation to make an annual tax declaration to the US IRS. In recognition of the fact that many expats or returned migrants may have non-wilfully omitted to make their IRS declarations, new “streamlined” procedures are currently available that offer US taxpayers the opportunity to reach compliance with the IRS without risk of penalties.

Contact Athena today or request a callback to find out more.

Investment Opportunities in the U.S. and SelectUSA Summit

2015-01-28T11:01:00.002+01:00

The U.S. is open for Business!

The U.S. Embassy in Malta in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce Malta will be organizing an information session on the SelectUSA Summit and investment opportunities in the United States on February 6, 2015.

If you run a business and are considering opening or expanding operations in the United States, this event will provide you with information on how to learn more about how, where and why to invest in the United States as well as details on the SelectUSA Summit in March.

Success in the U.S. market can help drive success globally. The United States is incredibly diverse, with the world’s most attractive consumer market, a thriving culture of innovation, and the most productive workforce. Companies of all sizes – from start-ups to multinationals – can find the ideas, resources and market they need to be competitive.

Attendance at the event is free, prior registration is required via email cassarm@state.gov or 25614120. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require further information.

Date: Friday, February 6, 2015

Time: 10:00 – 12:00

Venue: Villa Apap Bologna, Attard

AGENDA

Information Session: Investment Opportunities in the U.S. and SelectUSA Summit

Venue: U.S. Ambassador Residence, Villa Apap Bologna, Attard

Friday, February 6, 2014

10:00 US Ambassador to Malta H.E. Gina Abercrombie Winstanely
Opening remarks

10:05 Andrea Rosa, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Consulate Milan
The SelectUSA program and the 2015 SelectUSA Summit

10:30 Andrew Mangion, Executive Chairman, EC English Language Centres
Sharing the EC English experience in setting up in the U.S.

10:45 Beth Herbolich, Consul, U.S. Embassy Vallletta
Introduction of “Investor Visa”

11:00 Q&A

Networking Break - Light refreshments will be served.

2015-01-21T11:31:00.004+01:00

Calling all American expats!

Do you know all you should about FATCA?

Did you know that Americans are required to report their financial accounts held outside of the United States?

Are you aware that the governments of Malta and the US have agreed to exchange information in order to enforce this obligation?

Do you know how the law actually works in practice? Or how it may or may not relate to you individually?

Is it true that if Americans abroad may prosecuted by the IRS for tax fraud and other civil and criminal charges?

What are the “streamlined” filing procedures for non-resident US taxpayers issued in 2014?

Can you just renounce your US passport?

In view of the facts that Malta has already signed the FATCA agreement in 2013, and that reporting by Maltese financial institutions will begin in 2015, it is important for any US taxpayers residing in Malta or with financial accounts in Malta to act fast in order to come into compliance.

Find out the answers to the above and more at Malta’s first FATCA information event hosted by Athena International Ltd. Industry and government experts will explain how the legislation works in practice and its implications.

Register your attendance to join this free information session!

http://www.athena.com.mt/fatca-information-event

Date: 13th February 2015
Time: 10.00 - 12.00
Venue: Van Gogh Room, Riviera Resort, Marfa (Mellieħa)

For the convenience of those living in Gozo, complimentary transport will be available to/from the Cirkewwa ferry and the seminar.Please note that this must be booked in advance.

Ample free parking is available on site.

Ambassador Marisa Micallef attends a Simshar screening in West Hollywood

2014-12-21T10:14:00.001+01:00

Ambassador Marisa Micallef recently attended a screening of "Simshar" directed by Rebecca Cremona which is currently in the race for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars.

Simshar is one of 83 films competing for 5 nomination spots which will then be competing for the 87th Oscar event to be held next February.

This film is inspired by true events that occurred in 2008 while the theme of immigration is also skillfully weaved in.

The screening on the 18th of November was held in West Hollywood and Ambassador Micallef noted a very positive reception from those present.

Ambassador Marisa Micallef said,” I was delighted to watch the film among the top industry professionals who received it so well. Many people in the USA are as yet unaware of the huge challenges faced by Malta and this very interesting film highlights the human face behind these challenges. We are very proud of Rebecca Cremona and the whole team that supported her."

During the month of November Ambassador Micallef also networked with contacts in LA, NYC and in the entertainment industry in general and elsewhere to support the film in every way possible.

Some sponsorship was also organised by Ambassador Marisa Micallef and the Embassy of Malta would like to thank.Honorary Consul General Hugh Cassar most especially for his much valued and appreciated sponsorhip which assisted this demanding campaign to promote the film Simshar, and Hon Consul General Louis Vella for his contacts and support with the Maltese community in San Francisco.

Happy Thanksgiving

2014-11-22T13:08:00.003+01:00

Source: http://www.w8themes.com/

The Library of Congress and The Kennedy Centre, Washington DC for Eurokids 2014

2014-11-22T08:15:00.000+01:00

In November 2014, the Embassy of the Republic of Malta participated in the Kids Euro Festival, which was organised by the EU Delegation to the United States with a show from More or Less Theatre.

The Executive Director of the European American Cultural Foundation Kimberley Heatherington thanked Ambassador Marisa Micallef and said that this”enthusiasm for Kids Euro Festival and the spirit it represents means a great deal to the American European Cultural Foundation...and that it is only through this kind of collaboration that the Kids Euro Festival is at all possible.”

Malcolm Galea and Joseph Zammit performed in four shows while in Washington, performing The Complete History of Malta (More or Less) at two significant venues, the Kennedy Centre Millennium Stage and a first for Malta… at the Library of Congress…as well as in two schools Sheridan School and the Mansion at Strathmore where these two talented performers brought the house down.

This two-week long festival is a joint cultural diplomacy initiative of the EU Embassies in Washington and is a wonderful showcase of European arts and culture that presents many free activities to families and, particularly, to children. This year’s more than 200 events included performances, concerts, workshops, movies, storytelling, puppetry, dance, magic, cinema and more. For more information about the Kids Euro Festival, please visit: http://kidseurofestival.org/.

The Embassy of Malta in Washington DC would like to thank the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ Cultural Diplomacy Fund and the generosity of the benefactors of the European-American Cultural Foundation, for having made the whole event possible.

Malta Favur Negozjati Bejn L-Unjoni Ewropea U L-Istati Uniti Dwar Ftehim Trans-Atlantika Ta' Kummerċ U Ta' Investiment (TTIP)

2014-10-18T10:54:00.002+02:00

Il-Ministru għall-Ekonomija, Investiment u Intrarpriżi Żgħar Dr Chris Cardona attenda għal laqgħa informali tal-Ministri tal-Kummerċ tal-Unjoni Ewropea, li saret f’Ruma, li trattat il-fehim Trans-Atlantika ta' Kummerċ u ta' Investiment (TTIP), ir-relazzjonijiet mar-Russja u l-Ukrajna u l-Politika Kummerċjali tal-Unjoni Ewropea.

Il-Ministru Cardona qal li Malta hija favur li l-Kummissjoni Ewropea tkompli bin-negozjati tagħha għal ftehim Trans-Atlantika ta' Kummerċ u ta' Investiment. Dan għaliex huwa mistenni li ftehim ta’ dan it-tip ikollu l-potenzjal li jtejjeb il-kummerċ bejn l-Istati Membri tal-UE u l-Istati Uniti u għalhekk jistimula tkabbir ekonomiku fiż-żewġ reġjuni.

Fl-istess waqt, il-Ministru Cardona, qal li Malta hija mħassba bin-nuqqas ta’ aċċessibbiltà li hemm għal dokumenti tal-Istati Uniti li huma importanti biex issir analisi sew tad-diskussjonijiet, kif ukoll dwar il-pożizzjoni li qed tieħu l-Istati Uniti fis-settur marittimu, fl-avjazzjoni u l-gaming.

Dwar is-settur Marittimu, il-Ministru Cardona tkellem fuq il-ħtieġa li l-ftehim jistabilixxi numru ta’ obbligi bejn iż-żewġ partijiet, għaliex fis-sitwazzjoni li qegħdin fiha l-operaturi mill-Unjoni Ewropea għandhom aċċess limitat għas-swieq fl-Istati Uniti.

Dr Chris Cardona qal ukoll li Malta tixtieq tara progress fis-setturi tas-servizzi tat-trasport internazzjonali u fid-diskussjonijiet dwar l-aspett regolatorju tas-servizzi finanzjarji għaliex iż-żewġ oqsma huma importanti għall-ekonomji tal-Unjoni Ewropea u tal-Istati Uniti.

Maestro Joseph Vella’s Mass To Be Performed In New York In 2015

2014-10-11T11:44:00.003+02:00

During the celebrations in Washington DC marking the fiftieth anniversary of Malta’s Independence, the Maltese Ambassador to the US Ms. Marisa Micallef took the opportunity to organise a cultural event to promote Maestro Joseph Vella’s Mass. The event was held at the Headquarters of the EU Delegation, where earlier this year Malta also successfully promoted the Valletta International Baroque Festival.

The Ambassador and Christopher Hyland, who originally commissioned the Mass, had previously also had talks with the New York Choral Society in connection with performing this in New York City. During the Malta celebrations in DC the Director of the New York Choral Society David Hayes, made the very positive announcement that the New York Choral Society had decided to perform this Mass in the fall of 2015 in NYC.

This event was very well attended by EU and other ambassadors, a number of US Administration officials including the Chief of Protocol, leaders from the DC Arts world, members of the Maltese community and of the diplomatic community in Washington, including the Apostolic Nuncio to the US.

The autographed programme relating to the September 19th Malta 50th anniversary event will be added to the New York Choral Society archive which is part of the collection of the NY Library of the performing arts.

Ambassador Micallef explained how when she first heard the Mass she knew it would be her responsibility to ensure it would be performed here in the USA and the Embassy of Malta had put together this special cultural event with this in mind.

Thirteenth Year Anniversary Montage of 9/11

2014-08-01T11:11:00.003+02:00

You are cordially invited for the unveiling of the Thirteenth Year Anniversary Montage memorializing the 185 Pentagon Souls who perished on Sept 11th, 2001. The event will be held at the San Anton Presidential Palace - H'Attard.

The event is organised Maltese Artist Challie Turu Spiteri.

The general public is invited to attend.

Email 13anniversary9112014@gmail.com for more information or to reserve your place.

We encourage everyone to attend.

New Foundation Will Share And Celebrate Malta With North American Audiences

2014-08-01T10:40:00.000+02:00

[Hamilton, Massachusetts] — To inspire Americans to learn about, experience and support places of great historic, cultural, and natural significance in Malta, the American Malta Foundation was created, in alliance with Din l-Art Ħelwa, the National Trust of Malta. After two years of planning, and studying the feasibility of a new organization, the American Malta Foundation (AMF) was formally launched in 2014, and is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. AMF memberships are available, and begin at $25.

Din l-Art Ħelwa is a non-governmental, nonprofit, voluntary organization founded in 1965 to safeguard the historic, artistic and natural heritage of Malta. Since its beginning, Din l-Art Ħelwa has restored and managed numerous cultural sites of immense historic and environmental importance. As an independent American nonprofit corporation, the American Malta Foundation will help promote Din l-Art Ħelwa priorities in the United States and Canada.

According to Stefanie Joy Muscat, President of the AMF Board of Directors, “In late 2012, the first conversations about the Foundation began, between myself and Luciano Mulè Stagno of Din l-Art Ħelwa. As the wife of a 2nd generation Maltese descendent, and the mother of a 3rd generation, I was actively seeking ways in which my family could have meaningful engagement with its Maltese roots. I was aware of organizations, in North America, actively fundraising and promoting the interests of NGOs in Europe and Asia. Why couldn't such an organization exist to represent Malta?”

There are many activities currently being undertaken, and planned, by the American Malta Foundation. Among them is the North American Maltese Oral History Project (NAMOP), which represents one of the first attempts in the US and Canada to record Maltese immigrant experiences in their own words.

The Foundation is also offering group travel to Malta. Two trips are being planning for 2015, with departures in April and October. Tours created by the American Malta Foundation allow for an intimate and exclusive view of Malta's unique culture, heritage and natural beauty.

General information about the American Malta Foundation is available at http://www.americanmaltafoundation.org.

4th Convention For Maltese Living Abroad

2014-07-10T09:16:00.002+02:00

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs would like to inform the Maltese diaspora and the general public that the next convention for Maltese Living Abroad will take place on 20-23 April 2015. Preparations are currently ongoing and the Ministry would like to hear from those who are interested in participation at the fourth Convention.

The Convention will consist of plenary sessions together with a number of workshops. Other activities will also be organized at the margins of the Convention. These include an arts exhibition, literary symposium and a drawing exhibition by school children across the island relating to themes linked with the Diaspora.

The working languages of the Convention will be Maltese and English.

Those interested in attending the Convention are invited to express their intent of participation by filling in the form that may be downloaded from http://mfa.gov.mt/library/2015Convention%20-%201stNotice+Form%20(FINAL%20-%204July2014)%20(3).pdf. This form is to be sent via email on convention2015.mfa@gov.mt. Alternatively, the form may be sent to the following postal address:

The Director
Directorate for Maltese Living Abroad
Directorate-General for Political, European Affairs and Maltese Abroad
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Palazzo Parisio, Merchant’s Street
Valletta – VLT 1171
Malta

All forms (by electronic mail or by post) must reach the Ministry for Foreign Affairs by not later than Thursday 14 August 2014 (12.00hrs CET).

Festival Barokk għal Gżira Barokka - lecture minn Kenneth Zammit Tabona

2014-06-06T12:00:00.002+02:00

Fil-15 ta’ Mejju 2014, l-Ambaxxata tar-Repubblika ta’ Malta f’Washington D.C., b’kollaborazzjoni mad-Delegazzjoni tal-UE fl-Istati Uniti, kellha l-pjaċir li torganizza lecture minn Kenneth Zammit Tabona, il-Viċi President tat-Teatru Manoel, fuq l-identità barokka ta’ Malta, b’konnessjoni ukoll mal-Valletta International Baroque Festival, li huwa d-Direttur Artistiku tagħha.

Dan il-lecture kien ir-riżultat ta’ laqgħat li l-Ambaxxatur Micallef kellha mad-Delegazzjoni tal-UE dwar is-suġġett tal-kultura ftit wara li waslet f’Washington, fejn kienet iddiskutiet ix-xewqa tagħha li l-Valletta International Baroque Festival u l-identità barokka ta’ Malta b’mod aktar ġenerali jkunu magħrufa aħjar min-nies ta’ D.C..

L-esperta tal-mużika storika Tina Chancey u l-kollegi tagħha mal-ewwel ħolqu l-atmosfera billi daqqew sonata mill-kompożitur Malti Michelangelo Vella (1710-1792), li kienet l-ewwel darba li qatt semgħuha udjenzi Amerikani.

Is-Sur Zammit Tabona imbagħad afaxxini l-udjenza bit-taħdita tiegħu fuq l-istorja w il-kultura ta’ Malta. Iffoka speċjalment fuq il-perjodu tal-Kavallieri ta’ Malta u kif dawn kienu ġew Malta u mhux talli baqgħu fuq il-Gżira iżda iffjorixxew u għamlu lil Malta attur ewlieni fix-xena kulturali tal-Ewropa fis-sekli sbatax u tmintax. Spjega kif il-belt Valletta kienet mibnija u tkellem dwar l-maestà tat-Teatru Manoel. Wara li kien pinġa stampa daqstant dettaljata, is-Sur Zammit Tabona mbagħad spjega l-kunċett tal-Valletta International Baroque Festival u qal kif Valletta ġiet magħżula bħala l-Kapitali Ewropea tal-Kultura għas-sena 2018.

In-nies fl-udjenza mbagħad kellhom l-opportunità li jistaqsu xi mistoqsijiet lis-Sur Zammit Tabona dwar dan is-suġġett u biex jitkellmu miegħu b’mod aktar informali matul riċeviment ċkejken li ġie organizzat wara t-taħdita. Fuljetti promozzjonali dwar Malta kienu disponibbli għall-parteċipanti tal-avveniment matul il-lejla.

Il-lecture kien organizzat bħala parti mill-programm Conversations in Culture tad-Delegazzjoni tal-UE, li huwa serje kulturali li jsir kull xahar fil-Delegazzjoni tal-UE mniedi sabiex jenfasizza l-kulturi diversi tat-28 Stat Membru tal-UE. Il-lecture ifforma wkoll parti mill-programm tal-hekk imsejjaħ Xahar Ewropew tal-Kultura, li qed jiġi organizzat għat-tieni darba matul ix-xahar ta’ Mejju mid-Delegazzjoni tal-UE.

L-Ambaxxata tixtieq tirringrazzja t-Teatru Manoel, u speċjalment lil-President tat-Teatru, Michael Grech, tal-għajnuna li taw sabiex dan l-avveniment seta’ jsir.

The President receives H.E. Mrs Gina K Abercrombie-Winstanley

2014-05-16T10:58:00.003+02:00

The President, H.E. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca receives H.E. Mrs Gina K Abercrombie-Winstanley, Ambassador of the United States of America, on a courtesy call.

The President receives a courtesy call by Mr Louis Vella, Honorary Consul General in Francisco, United States of America

2014-05-09T16:17:00.000+02:00

New Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for English-Teaching Professionals

2014-04-10T12:15:00.001+02:00

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has launched a pilot Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) prepared by and for English-teaching professionals.
Shaping the Way We Teach English was developed by the University of Oregon. It is hosted on the Coursera platform as part of the Department’s partnership with Coursera. This is a free opportunity for current and future educators of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) to improve the quality of their teaching methods.

The course offers a unique, multimedia-rich collaborative environment where participants can interact with top-ranked English-language educators from all over the world. Participants will have access to asynchronous materials and methods that complement college courses such as Introduction to Methods for Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Interactive discussion forums will also allow participants to share ideas with each other to enhance their English language teaching expertise. The benefits of this course should enable educators to establish, adapt, and evaluate their methods, materials, and classroom activities to improve their students’ study of English.

The MOOC is divided into two five-week sessions with the first course began on April 7; the second session begins on May 12. Participants can enroll in the second session without participating in the first session.

Enroll now!

Free Gospel Concert

2014-02-24T11:29:00.002+01:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year From Stars And Stripes Malta

2013-12-21T20:40:00.003+01:00

ObamaCare Demystified

2013-12-18T13:07:00.002+01:00

Those who are eligible to apply for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) more popularly known as ObamaCare must do so before December 23rd in order to be covered as from Jan 1st. Go to https://www.healthcare.gov/ to apply.

This highly controversial legislation was signed into law by President Obama on March 2010. It was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court on June 2012. Last October's 16-day government shutdown can be attributed almost in its entirety to an impasse about this legislation. The Tea Party faction of the Republican Party demanded that Congress stop health care reform from proceeding by removing funding for it. It failed.

Image: http://www.businessinsider.com/will-obamacare-challenges-succeed-2013-1

Besides political hurdles, ObamaCare suffered massive technical glitches when it launched. The website was unable to handle the amount of traffic and reports claim that the system had other numerous bugs. Reuters reported on December 14 that around 15,000 enrolment forms filled out by people applying for health insurance were not transmitted properly to insurers. As a result of this mess, the Chief Information Officer for the agency running the troubled health insurance website resigned.

Image: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/10/09/3-million-obamacare-website-may-face-months-glitches-experts-warn/

ObamaCare will go down in history as being an attempt to clear the Hospital’s Emergency Rooms. Before this act, people who could not afford to pay for medical treatment because they had either had no insurance or because they has been refused insurance could only see the inside of a hospital if they were admitted as an emergency case. Millions of ill persons would have to stick it out until their condition was desperate and once they (sadly) go to this state (and still be alive) they would hog the ERs to get treatment.

With ObamaCare people can no longer be denied coverage or treatment because they had been sick in the past or be dropped mid-treatment for making a simple mistake on their application. Insurers can no longer apply annual or lifetime limits on healthcare. Also ObamaCare practically makes health insurance available to practically everyone.

Immunisation for children is will be free. Young adults can stay on their parent's plan until 26 and improvements related to women’s health such as mammograms and wellness visits are covered automatically.

Another provision of ObamaCare is called the 80/20 Rule, which requires insurance companies to spend at least 80% of insurance premium on health care or improvements to care. If they fail to meet this benchmark, for example by spending excessively on advertising and CEO bonuses they must provide a rebate to their customers.

People who were already covered by health insurance will benefit further.

According to ObamaCareFacs.com, as of 2013 there were around 44 million Americans who were unable to get health insurance.

Image: http://obamacarefacts.com/affordablecareact-summary.php

Government Default = Black Thursday?

2013-10-16T14:13:00.004+02:00

Last week I published a short article on the effects of the Government Shutdown. Today I’ll explain what will happen on Thursday 17^th October if congress does not raise the United States of America’s debt ceiling.

Like many other countries (including Malta) the US collects less money than it spends. This has been happening for many years. The US government’s main source of income is federal taxes while its spectrum of spending is wide. Food stamps, Medicaid, the military and the 2.65 million who are employed by the federal government are examples of where income tax money is distributed internally. The US also pays out billions in financial aid to counties such as Egypt, Israel, Pakistan, Mexico, Nigeria, the Philippines and another 25 countries for “good behaviour”, “good friendship” or military bases. The US is a major contributor to the United Nations, NATO and other international bodies.

Being the most indebted country in the world, the US pays a lot of money in interest on its debt. According to the US Treasury website (http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/ir/ir_expense.htm) more than $415 billion was paid in interest between September 2012 and October 2013.

In order for the government to borrow more money it needs the approval of congress. If congress does not approve this increase the government will run out of money.

Let us imagine that the US government is a person. This person has a family to support. He has a wallet, a bank account, a credit card and a loan. The bank accounts stand at zero, the credit cards are maxed out and a loan payment is due. His wallet is bone dry. This person has a job but the pay cheque will not cover the expenses.

Now think of congress as the Bank that can approve an increase in this person’s loan facilities. If the loan ceiling is increased the person can cover the additional expenses. If not, …

If the US were to default, the financial markets will probably react very badly and we could risk facing another Black day in which stock exchanges spiral out of control as investors see this uncertainty as a sign to pull out of certain markets. Another effect of a default would probably be that rating agencies downgrade the US. This will result in an increase in borrowing costs. Simply put, instead of paying $415 billion in interest the government would have to pay $800 billion for the same amount of money. This is because investors no longer see the US government as a safe place to invest their money and will demand more interest. It is like having negative notches on your credit rating. Once this happens banks will no longer want to loan money and you would have to go to a pay-day lender or, even worse, a loan shark.

A default would result in a weaker dollar. Since most international business is conducted in this currency, countries who already committed to transact in this currency will suffer because of this unexpected change.

Hopefully the President and Congress see sense before damage is done.