IRS Reminds U.S. citizens and dual citizens about U.S. filing requirements
In a fact sheet (IRS FS-2011-13) released last week, the IRS reminded U.S. citizens and dual citizens of the United States and foreign countries who live abroad about U.S. filing requirements, including Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank
Another Bank Discloses Accountholders: Credit Suisse to Turn Over U.S. Account Data
Earlier this month Credit Suisse Group AG, Switzerland’s second-biggest bank, told U.S. clients it is giving confidential client account data to the Swiss tax authorities, who will decide whether to disclose it to the Internal Revenue Service. The U.S. is
Taxpayers Advised to Use Caution: Confirmed FBAR Information Request Scam
Our firm has become aware of a “phishing” scam, related to the filing of Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). Under the scam, taxpayers receive an email notice, purportedly from the IRS Chief of Criminal Investigations, indicating there are
Another Foreign Bank Charged by U.S. Department of Justice
Earlier this week, two Julius Baer Group Ltd. client advisers were charged with helping U.S. customers of the Zurich- based bank evade taxes, according to an indictment and a person with knowledge of the matter. Daniela Casadei and Fabio Frazzetto
Estate Planning For Women
Estate planning affects women more profoundly, so they should take charge of this process, or at least be equal participants. Among Americans 65 and older, 42% of women, but just 14% of men, are widowed. Women’s longer life expectancy, combined with their tendency
HSBC India Customer New Indictment Uncovers More HSBC Details
A Wisconsin neurosurgeon was re- indicted by a U.S. grand jury on new charges that he failed to declare an HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA) account in India valued in 2009 at $8.7 million. Arvind Ahuja was indicted again by a
Employee or Contractor?: The IRS’s New Voluntary Classification Settlement Program (VCSP)
When the IRS says “voluntary” it can sound scary. The IRS is unlikely to use this word unless the potential liability is serious. The IRS would much rather have you come forward. If you do, you’re likely to get a
For Tax Professionals: A Guide to the IRS’s Voluntary Disclosure Practice
IRS Commissioner Shulman has invited persons with unreported foreign accounts to come forward and avail themselves of the IRS’s Voluntary Disclosure Practice. That practice is described in the Internal Revenue Manual 9.5.11.9. The Practice has a bearing upon whether the
With No More Amnesty Program: Explore the IRS’s Traditional Voluntary Disclosure program
Even though the deadline for the Internal Revenue Service’s 2011 Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative has concluded last week, U.S. taxpayers with undisclosed offshore accounts still have the opportunity to come forward through the IRS’s traditional Voluntary Disclosure program. Like the
Audit Beware: IRS’ Global High Wealth Industry Group
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal discussed the new IRS’ Global High Wealth Industry Group. Over 1 year ago we warned readers of the new group when Commissioner Shulman announced its formation in an address to the American
What HSBC India Accountholders Can Expect From the IRS
Our firm recently informally met with a US Department of Justice official (name withheld because official was not authorized to officially speak) in Washington DC regarding the pending summons served on HSBC India to reveal account information (including names, addresses,
Estate Planning in the Electronic Age
With the ever-growing presence of online and electronic documents, records and accounts, it is becoming essential to keep track of your passwords. Consumers have had access to military grade cryptography for decades, and while it offers an amazing level of