IRS attempts to demystify its new Form 8938
The IRS has finally attempted to demystify its new Form 8938. Below are some Form 8938 FAQs: Basic Questions and Answers on Form 8938 1. What are the specified foreign financial assets
More Tax Complexity: New Form 8938
In recent years, the IRS and US Treasury have stepped up their efforts toward tracking down delinquent tax payers and enforcing payment of overdue taxes. One of these initiatives has been labeled the “Foreign Account
Form 8938, FATCA, FBAR and penalties for all (including bankers)
The IRS and US Treasury have stepped up their efforts toward tracking down delinquent tax payers and enforcing payment of overdue taxes. One of these initiatives is the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act”. FATCA is
Frequent Scenarios in Offshore Voluntary Disclosures
I have frequently seen the following scenarios in working with clients to determine whether a offshore voluntary disclosure program filing (OVDP) is appropriate and how they should report foreign account. First, a parent or grandparent
Eleven foreign financial institutions to share their US customer account information
US authorities have offered eleven financial institutions a settlement agreement in which the US government’s investigations in those financial institutions — for aiding tax evasion — and potential prosecution would be dropped. The eleven financial
The Teeth of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is about disclosure and transparency, but in part is to catch Americans trying to stash money overseas. Controversially, FATCA orders every foreign bank to track down its U.S.
American Citizens Abroad (ACA) writes letter to IRS Commissioner regarding unfair offshore asset treatment
American Citizens Abroad (ACA) has written to IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman of the IRS to express the organization’s profound concern that he has not answered the Directive issued by National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson. In
No tax = No Passport?
The United States Senate has passed a provision in proposed legislation that would allow the State Department to deny, limit or revoke passports to citizens with “seriously” delinquent taxes. The passport provision is part of
New IRS Form 8938 Statement of Foreign Financial Assets is causing significant confusion
As anticipated, IRS Form 8938 Statement of Foreign Financial Assets is causing significant confusion among taxpayers attempting to complete these Forms for filing. Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, is a new reporting
IRS Form 8938 and the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP)
The announcement by the IRS of the opening of the new Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) on January 9, 2012 came as a surprise to most tax practitioners, especially since the 2011 OVDI just ended
Analysis of the new 2012 Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP)
Yesterday the Internal Revenue Service opened its Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) to encourage more taxpayers with assets in undeclared foreign bank accounts to come forward. While the OVDP was not expected by most tax
IRS Announces New 2012 Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP)
The Internal Revenue Service today reopened the offshore voluntary disclosure program to help people hiding offshore accounts get current with their taxes. The IRS reopened the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) following continued strong interest