Another Local New Jersey client of HSBC India Pleads Guilty
A local New Jersey client of HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA) last month pleaded guilty to evading taxes on $1.2 million in income and using an account in India to hide some of his money. This
Opting Out of the Offshore Voluntary Compliance Initiative Programs
As with other IRS’ 2009 and 2011 offshore voluntary compliance initiatives, the 2012 program gives no discretion to the IRS agents to reduce penalties. If a participant does not believe that he or she should
National Taxpayer Advocate Criticizes IRS over handling of offshore voluntary disclosures
The 2012 National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Annual Report to Congress criticized current IRS practices in the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) that hinder voluntary compliance by penalizing taxpayers who are entitled to a reasonable cause
Appeals of penalties imposed during the Offshore Voluntary Opt-Out
When a taxpayer has a tax increase though a civil tax audit (or examination, in IRS terminology), a taxpayer has the right to appeal that increase administratively and through court, if unsuccessful administratively. For taxpayers
National Taxpayer Advocate Identifies OVDP Program as a Serious Problem
On January 17 that National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson recently issued her 2012 Annual Report to Congress calling on Congress to simplify the Tax Code. In her report, Olson questioned the “one-size-fits-all” approach of the
HSBC Payment of Largest Penalty and FATCA Encourages Taxpayers to Disclose
Last month, HSBC Holdings agreed to pay $1.92 billion in fines to U.S. authorities, which is the largest collective settlement in the Treasury Department’s history. The penalty assessment was based upon HSBC’s conduct in violation
Benefits and consequences of entering or failing to enter the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative program
Over the past several years our law firm has counseled hundreds of non-compliant U.S. taxpayers in the exploration of their legal options with respect to the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative programs. As a result, we
Top 10 factors to consider before deciding to opt out of OVDI or OVDP
While opting out of the OVDI or OVDP amnesty programs may result in a reduction of penalties that may otherwise be assessed, the taxpayer needs to carefully weigh the numerous consequences before doing so. Responsible
2 recent IRS developments that will impact Indian Americans
Our firm was quoted last week in the Times of India newspaper: 2 recent IRS developments that will impact Indian Americans Deepa Venkatraghvan Sep 10, 2012, 07.54PM IST In the last few years, the US Internal Revenue
New EZPASS OVDP Without Any Penalties for Non-Resident U.S. Taxpayers
Yesterday, as expected, the IRS announced its new New Filing Compliance Procedures for Non-Resident U.S. Taxpayers that taxpayers presenting “low compliance risk” should file delinquent tax returns, including delinquent information returns, for the past three years; and
Instructions for New Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures for Non-Resident, Non-Filer U.S. Taxpayers
The IRS has announced its new New Filing Compliance Procedures for Non-Resident U.S. Taxpayers that taxpayers presenting “low compliance risk” should file delinquent tax returns, including delinquent information returns, for the past three years; and delinquent FBARs
The “Quiet” or “Silent” Disclosure
Our office consults with many clients in determining whether they need to enter into the 2012 IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program. Because of the high 27.5% penalty in the 2012 OVDP program, many of our