Tax, Estate Planning & Probate Law Center

Beware of Currency Seizures

27 Nov 21

In the past two decades, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seized over $2 billion in currency at airports mostly due to travelers’ failure to fill out the relevant form. There is no limit to how much currency or

Our Best Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) Tax Minimization Planning Strategies

24 Nov 21

The NIIT is a 3.8 percent Medicare surtax imposed on the lesser of an individual’s (a) net investment income (NII), or (b) the amount of modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) that exceeds $250,000 for MFJ (married filing jointly) or $200,000

Watered-Down Build Back Better (BBB) For High-Income Taxpayers

21 Nov 21

After months of negotiations, the Democratic-led House of Representatives advanced the Build Back Better (BBB) Act to the Senate. The table below shows how the tax provisions have evolved since September. Many of the most controversial tax increase provisions were

Charitable Planning Strategies High-Net-Worth Individuals Need to Know for Year-End Tax Planning

19 Nov 21

This year has a few charitable tax law changes unique to 2021. We have compiled our top charitable tax planning ideas you may want to consider implementing this year before December 31st. 1. Take advantage of the higher limit this

IRS Provides Form 5471 Information-Filing Relief For Dormant Foreign Corps.

13 Nov 21

Every foreign corporation in which a U.S. person is generally involved in any capacity with at least 10% interest must be reported to the IRS on Form 5471. This is the way for the IRS to prevent the disguised accumulation

IRS Updates Process for FAQs

03 Nov 21

IRS finally figured out that taxpayers need help with IRS frequently asked questions (FAQs). IRS places FAQs on its website and taxpayers naturally read them and believe them to be true and reliable. IRS has issued more than 1,100 FAQs

New Tax Changes are Blowing in the Wind

08 Oct 21

There are several tax proposals that are under Congressional consideration, and the Biden administration released information concerning his proposal, the “American Families Plan.” The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee released proposed budget reconciliation legislation on September 13, 2021. The

FBAR Deadline Extended to December 31, 2021

07 Oct 21

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today issued a notice extending the filing date of Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Account (FBARs) for victims of recent natural disasters, including Hurricane Ida, the California Wildfires, and Tropical Storm Fred. Victims

Pandora’s Box Has Opened: Pandora Papers

04 Oct 21

An unprecedented leak of financial records known as the Pandora Papers has revealed the offshore financial assets of dozens of current and former world leaders and hundreds of politicians from Asia and the Middle East to Latin America. The International Consortium of Investigative

New Comments on the IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program

29 Sep 21

We are members of the American Bar Association Section of Taxation, which on September 28, 2021 submitted comments to the IRS on the IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program (“VDP”), the Streamlined Domestic Offshore Program (“SDOP”), and the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Program (“SFOP”). In the

An Ill-advised IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedure Filing

25 Sep 21

Yesterday the US Department of Justice announced here the indictment of Mark Anthony Gyetvay, who filed to enter IRS “Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures in which he attested that his prior failure to file FBARs and tax returns was non-willful.” Apparently, his Streamlined

Parag Patel Esq. speaks at New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) Webinar “What Tax Professionals Should Know About Trusts and Estates: Estate Tax Reform and the 2021 Planning Window”.

21 Sep 21

Parag Patel Esq. will be a featured speaker at a virtual New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) Webinar panel entitled “What Tax Professionals Should Know About Trusts and Estates: Estate Tax Reform and the 2021 Planning Window”. Mr.

Upcoming live video webinar: U.S.-India Tax Planning: Reporting Issues, Traps to Avoid, Tax Treaties, FTC, FACTA/FBAR Reporting, Passive Income

17 Sep 21

I am pleased to announce that I will be speaking in an upcoming Strafford live video webinar, “U.S.-India Tax Planning: Reporting Issues, Traps to Avoid, Tax Treaties, FTC, FACTA/FBAR Reporting, Passive Income” scheduled for Thursday, October 21, 1:00pm-2:30pm EDT. Our panel will provide

The IRS Needs Help

14 Sep 21

The IRS is a malfunctioning mess. A recent report from the National Taxpayer Advocate, states that the IRS has failed to answer taxpayers’ requests for assistance. I have been a tax lawyer for decades and have seen many different IRS problems over

Parag Patel Esq. presents new tax law changes at Broward Chapter of The Florida Society of Enrolled Agents (FSEABC) Webinar

14 Sep 21

Parag Patel Esq. will be the main speaker at a virtual Broward Chapter of The Florida Society of Enrolled Agents (FSEABC) Webinar panel entitled “Upcoming federal tax law changes: What to Expect”. Mr. Patel will discuss the new tax changes

New IRS procedures for Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures for 2017 transition tax filers

31 Aug 21

The IRS quietly created new procedures for Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures earlier this month relating to filings with “transition tax” due under Internal Revenue Code Section 965. The new procedures apply to Streamlined Domestic Offshore submissions and Streamlined Foreign Offshore

Unfiled FBAR Penalties Survive Death

20 Aug 21

Do FBAR penalties survive death? According to a new court ruling, the answer is clearly yes (unfortunately). In United States v. Gill, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12203 (S.D. Tex. 6/30/21), the court ultimately held that an FBAR nonwillful penalty survives

FBAR Deadline Automatic Extension

18 Aug 21

All U.S. citizens and permanent residents are required to annually file a U.S. income tax return reporting their worldwide income from all sources. Additionally, U.S. citizens and permanent who have an interest in or signatory authority over foreign bank and

Solution: Streamlined Domestic Offshore Procedures

14 Aug 21

In the midst of tough tax season, many U.S taxpayers are unfortunately surprised to discover that they have a U.S. tax reporting obligation on financial accounts or assets held overseas. Once they discover their tax and reporting obligation, there are

Dormant foreign corporations not subject to complicated Form 5471 filing requirements

09 Aug 21

The reporting requirements for IRS Form 5471 are complex, including ‘category of filer’ and required schedules. However, very few taxpayers know that there are special simplified filing rules for a foreign dormant corporation. Although not widely published, IRS Revenue Procedure

Happy Birthday Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedure

09 Aug 21

The Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedure (SFCP) was “born” six years ago. Six years ago the IRS publicly announced the SFCP, which has been used by many non-compliant US taxpayers with the disclosure of foreign assets. SFCP has two sub-programs: one

What is a SLAT?

04 Aug 21

While a slat is commonly known as a thin, narrow strip or bar of wood or metal, a SLAT is also known to estate planning professionals as a Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT). With the current lifetime estate and gift

New Form 3520 Penalties

01 Aug 21

In November 2020, the IRS changed the rules for assessing penalties for Form 3520, the Annual Return to Report Receipt of Foreign Gifts. Form 3520 is filed for any U.S. Taxpayer who receives a foreign gift or inheritance totaling over

Money Laundering 101

23 Jun 21

Over the years, some clients and advisors have asked us about how to detect possible money laundering activities. To do so, an explanation of the basics is required. Money laundering is the process in which criminals obscure the origins of

Consequences of Filing False Streamlined Filings

19 Jun 21

The IRS Streamlined Domestic Offshore Program (“SDOP”) allows eligible U.S. Taxpayers who failed to disclose foreign financial accounts to voluntarily disclose their conduct to the IRS and pay a reduced penalty. However, to be eligible for the SDOP program, the

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