The new Offshore Private Banking enforcement campaign was recently identified through LB&I data analysis and suggestions from IRS employees. IRS employees likely saw that many taxpayers were not properly reporting offshore bank accounts, as a result, they suggested the campaign.
Last week the IRS released a memorandum with new procedures for an “Updated Voluntary Disclosure Practice” impacting all voluntary disclosures. The new updated voluntary disclosure practice (VDP) is a game-changer for offshore voluntary disclosures for US persons with unreported foreign assets. The
The Internal Revenue Service released new updated procedures for voluntary disclosures since the old Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) closed on September 28, 2018. Last week, IRS deputy commissioner Kirsten Wielobob issued Interim Guidance Memo LB&I-09-1118-014, Updated Voluntary Disclosure Practice (PDF) on
We are members of the American Bar Association Section of Taxation, which on May 2, 2018 submitted comments to the IRS on the IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (“OVDP”), the Streamlined Domestic Offshore Program (“SDOP”), and the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Program (“SFOP”).
There is a debate as to the “burden of proof” that must be met by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in asserting that an FBAR violation was “willful”. This is significant because those who willfully fail to file the required
This year taxpayers who either were denied access to or withdrew from the IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) have been receiving Letter 5935 (HERE) from the IRS notifying them that they need to come into compliance with U.S. reporting requirements
IRS Issue Number: IR-2018-52 IRS to end offshore voluntary disclosure program; Taxpayers with undisclosed foreign assets urged to come forward now WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today announced it will begin to ramp down the 2014 Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program
Last year, the US Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) released a report which assessed how well that IRS was managing the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP). OVDP is one of the programs taxpayers may use to become compliant
The ABA recently held a conference titled National Institute on Criminal Tax Fraud and Institute on Tax Controversy. I attended the conference where many tax attorneys and government officials discussed issues of interest. Also discussed was the effect of streamlined
The Internal Revenue Service’s efforts to prod taxpayers to disclose their offshore bank accounts and pay taxes on their holdings have reached the $10 billion mark and prompted over 100,000 taxpayers to come forward, the IRS said last Friday in
The cost of compliance for many people is growing. Those U.S. persons with bank accounts in foreign jurisdictions who have yet to come into compliance with U.S. tax filing requirements have very little time. In addition to the increased amount
Last week Trinidad and Tobago and the United States signed an agreement to facilitate automatic exchange of information under the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). FATCA, enacted by the US Congress in 2010, is intended to ensure that
India and the US have agreed to again enhance collaboration on tackling offshore tax evasion and increase cooperation in sharing of cross-border tax information after the United States Treasury and India’s Ministry of Finance met last week. Following the conclusion
The U.S. Justice Department is reviewing reports about the offshore financial arrangements of global politicians and public figures based on 11.5 million leaked files from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, a department spokesman said yesterday. The department is determining whether
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
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
At the recent American Bar Association meeting held on January 29, 2016, the acting Attorney General for the tax division disclosed that the IRS and US Department of Justice are now focusing bank investigations in Belize, the British Virgin Islands,
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
Many foreign banks and financial institutions have recently been asking customers for a “FATCA Compliance Certificate”. The reason for the request is that your country and the US probably signed an agreement to implement the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), which
The US Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 (the Act) has changed the filing date for the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR), electronically filed with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Center (FinCEN) on
There is an increased focus by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on offshore activities. There are tax return and information return filing obligations that may be associated with foreign income, assets and transactions. Many taxpayers (including non-U.S. persons who might
You may have recently received a letter from your financial institution or investment firm asking for some of your personal details. Typically the letter requests many personal, tax and residency details, such as your country of birth, the country in
We are members of the American Bar Association Section of Taxation, which recently submitted comments to the IRS on the IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (“OVDP”), the Streamlined Domestic Offshore Program (“SDOP”), and the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Program (“SFOP”). The comments are
There is a lot of misinformation so we decided to debunk the top myths of US tax compliance. Myth #1: I don’t have to file US taxes if I live abroad. The US is one of the few countries who
The IRS has begun receiving information regarding tax year 2014 from nations around the world who have agreed to comply with FATCA. Some of those countries negotiated reciprocal agreements to also receive information from the US regarding their taxpayers with
In 2009, the IRS had introduced an Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative/Program (OVDI/OVDP). In following years, the program was reintroduced and revised. When it comes to addressing offshore filing deficiencies, several issues exist in connection with the statute of limitations, the
1. FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009) requires disclosure of your account information. A. July 1, 2014 FATCA withholding began. B. FATCA requires a 30 percent withholding tax on any “withholdable payment” made either to an FFI (foreign
We have come across the below 3 questions numerous times with our clients. What kind of evidence is relevant to demonstrate “non-willfulness” for purposes of the SDOP and the SFOP when the definition of non-willful conduct ranges from negligent conduct
India and the US today signed an agreement to implement the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) that will facilitate exchange of information between the two countries starting on October 1, 2015. FATCA was signed by Revenue Secretary Shaktikanta Das
If you have any US connections and have a non-U.S. bank account, you may have recently received a letter from your bank asking for your tax information. This may seem odd or new to you but lately banks everywhere want
