If this study by the US GAO is any indication of what is to come . . .
H/T to taxesforexpats.com. [Update: comparison of U.S. federal taxes to Japanese national and resident’s tax–see my post from the other day.]
[Update 3/14/12: Accounting Today reports that the Senate unanimously passed a provision to deny passport renewals to Americans “seriously” delinquent for more than $50,000 in taxes. Believe it or not, a nonfiling, lifer gaijin could hit the $50,000 mark very easily in 10 or 15 years.]