Consulate General, Edinburgh
E-Newsletter, January 2007
We want to keep you updated on events that affect Americans across the world and to notify you of events of interest in Scotland. Feel free to forward this e-mail to friends or co-workers.
E-Newsletter January 2007
Edinburgh-Info@state.gov.
Happy New Year to all of you! This newsletter is to keep you updated on events that affect Americans across the world and to notify you of events of interest in Scotland. Feel free to forward this e-mail to friends or co-workers.
Consulate Temporary Closure
The U.S. Consulate General in Edinburgh will be closed to the public from February 12, 2007 through the end of March 2007 due to construction taking place on the entrance and waiting room areas. During this period we will be available to American citizens requiring assistance by phone on 0131-556-8315 or 01224-857-097. After February 9, services requiring office visits such as routine passport renewals or notarial services must be deferred until April 2, 2007. For services requiring personal appearance that cannot wait until April 2, 2007, the U.S. Embassy in London and the U.S. Consulate General in Belfast are available to assist you. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time period. The U.S. Consulate General in Edinburgh is closed all Scottish and U.S. Holidays.
IRS Office at the London Embassy
Tax time will soon be upon us. If you have questions, the London Embassy’s IRS Office provides a taxpayer service line from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for British and U.S. holidays. The number is 020-7894-0476 or 020-7894-0477. For more information on the services provided by the IRS office, visit http://london.usembassy.gov/irs/index.htm. If you need tax forms, please visit www.irs.gov.
Tax Volunteers Needed
The Consulate has one volunteer tax advisor, who is sometimes overstretched to provide service for all of the U.S. tax filers in Scotland. If you would like to become a volunteer tax advisor, please send an email to us at Edinburgh-info@state.gov. Online qualification testing is provided by the IRS. You may be eligible to use your expenses as itemized deductions on your tax returns.
Flat Stanley
Most of us remember the classic Jeff Brown story about Stanley, the boy who gets flattened by a bulletin board and is able to be mailed around the world. Your child’s local school might be interested in knowing about the Flat Stanley Project if they haven’t already discovered the benefits it can bring. The project is “an international literacy and communications activity for primary and junior students, teachers and families”. It is fun way for school children to learn about other cultures through a program that is already in place. Over 1600 schools in the USA and over 2300 in total around the world participate. Full details on how the Flat Stanley Project works and how schools can register are available at www.flatstanleyproject.com.
Superbowl Sunday
Superbowl Sunday is February 4th, and believe it or not, there are a few places you can watch it here in Scotland. One place hosting a Superbowl party is The Mercat Bar at 28 West Maitland Street in Edinburgh. All of the action, live from Miami, starts at 7 p.m. If you would like more information, please contact Chris at info@mercatbar.com or 0131-225-8716. Their website is www.mercatbar.com.
Travel Within the Western Hemisphere Will Require a Passport
If you're planning a trip with friends or family in the U.S. and you are traveling from the U.S. to points within the Western Hemisphere, please be advised of new requirements. Beginning January 23, 2007, all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors. The implementation timeframe is as follows:
January 23, 2007 – Requirement applied to all air travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
January 1, 2008 – Requirement extended to all land and sea border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
For more information, please visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.
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