Just a reminder that your IRS FBAR reporting is due along with your tax return on April 18th this year. The Foreign Bank Account Reports (referred to as FBAR) have previously been due later in the year, but 2017 marks a permanent change going forward. US taxpayers, including foreign nationals...
Postmortem Tidbits from the Panama Papers
It's been more than a year since the international "Panama Papers" scandal hit where 11.5 million documents disclosed the true owners of more than 214,000 offshore "shell" companies. Postmortem tidbits from the Panama Papers provide insight into the genuine risks offshore investors, international businesses, US expats, and foreign nationals living...
Record Number Renounce Their US Citizenship in 2016 Due to US Taxation of Worldwide Income
The US Treasury Department published the latest list of those who renounced their US citizenship in 2016. The recent spike in renounced citizenships has been tied to US taxation of worldwide income for all US residents and taxpayers. 5,411 individuals renounced their US citizenship in 2016, and while this may...
Updates on Offshore Investments and IRS FBAR Reporting Requirements
The world is still unpacking the impact of FATCA and the IRS' intent to track offshore bank accounts, investments and corporations. The result is continuing pressure on offshore investments and IRS FBAR reporting requirements including PFIC tax calculations and the continuing expansion of 50% penalties on specific institutions identified by...
Israeli High Court Rules US Citizens in Israel Must Comply with FBAR
The Israel Supreme Court ruled that US citizens in Israel must comply with FBAR and all IRS reporting requirements and the consequences of FATCA. Israeli banks, investment houses and financial institutions have already begun to report the detailed personal and financial balance and transaction information regarding the "beneficial ownership interest"...
Argentina’s Offshore Amnesty Program Nets $5.2 Billion in Taxes
Argentinas offshore amnesty program nets $5.2 Billion in taxes after Argentinians disclosed over $90 Billion in previously hidden assets. Under the law Argentines could disclose offshore cash and assets to the government and pay a 10% tax. Argentine tax payers have an extension to disclose further offshore cash until the...
Make a Full, Transparent Voluntary FBAR Disclosure to the IRS or Face the Consequences
The recent case this month in the US District Court sends a clear message to US taxpayers: Make a full, transparent voluntary FBAR disclosure to the IRS or face the consequences. The case has shed some light into a backlog of lawsuits against the IRS regarding FBAR reporting requirements and the...
Federal Court Finds Willful Failure to File FBAR is a Lesser Standard of Proof for the IRS
The US 9th District Court here in California has found that willful failure to file FBAR is a lesser standard of proof for the IRS to bear. The Court rejected the claims of the defendant in the case that the IRS is held to a higher standard of proof -...
Year End Tax Planning – Why Turbo Tax is No Solution for FBAR
Why are there so many people who have used Turbo Tax and other home tax software solutions (including the free IRS version) who are now facing tens of thousands of dollars in FBAR penalties, fines and IRS audits? Because Turbo Tax is no solution for FBAR or any other remotely...