We often hear clients say "The IRS will never know about my offshore financial accounts and assets," with conviction as if they are wishing it to be true. Unfortunately, the reality of today's world is much different. The truth of the matter is shocking to many people: The IRS is...
US Court of Appeals Upheld Requirement for IRS FBAR Reporting
The Sixth District of the US Court of Appeals upheld requirement for IRS FBAR reporting recently. The decision affirmed the actions of a US District Court which dismissed a complaint which challenged FATCA and the requirement to come into compliance with IRS FBAR disclosures. The lawsuit sought to prohibit...
How Can Allen Barron Better Protect You and Your FBAR Compliance
How can Allen Barron better protect you and your FBAR compliance issues with the IRS? How can Allen Barron help you come into compliance with IRS FBAR reporting requirements while keeping associated penalties and risk at a minimum? Allen Barron is uniquely positioned to provide sound counsel and comprehensive services...
IRS is Closing In on US Taxpayers with Offshore Accounts
The IRS is closing in on US taxpayers with offshore accounts thanks to the global exchange of information which has been a by-product of FATCA and the Justice Department's pursuit of Swiss banking and financial interests. The deal between the IRS and Swiss institutions ultimately led to an agreement to...
IRS FBAR Audits are Heating Up as Offshore Banking Information Pours In
IRS FBAR audits are heating up as offshore banking and taxpayer information pours into the IRS from offshore banks, financial institutions, investment houses and foreign sovereign tax agencies. The IRS formed agreements with most of the nations around the world as well as hundreds of thousands of banks, investment houses...
The US Tax Impact of Opening a Foreign Account
What is the US tax impact of opening a foreign account for a US taxpayer including foreign nationals who live and work in the United States? The requirement for US taxpayers to report offshore accounts has been around for quite some time. In 2004, the IRS added penalties for non-willful...
Tax Issues of Working in San Diego on an H1-B Visa
What are the tax issues of working in San Diego on an H1-B Visa or living in the US as a foreign national? There are specific IRS reporting requirements that many foreign nationals living and working in the United States may not be aware of. Unfortunately, the IRS will not...
Wall Street Journal Warns Offshore Account Holders to Fear the IRS
A major US financial newspaper today echoed Allen Barron's repeated warnings to offshore account holders to fear the IRS and impending IRS audits. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) today issued a daunting warning to US taxpayers with offshore bank accounts, investment accounts and assets: "Are You Hiding Money Overseas from...
IRS Audits Focused Upon OVDP Declines and Withdrawls
A new IRS Large Business & International (LB&I) campaign targets US taxpayers for IRS audits focused upon OVDP declines and withdrawls from the FBAR related program. Once the IRS implemented FATCA based regulations and the associated Foreign Bank Account Reporting (FBAR) requirements US taxpayers were required to disclose all offshore...