United States taxpayers have attempted to use many excuses for the non-payment or under-payment of taxes. US taxpayers need to understand the power of the IRS and the agency's ability to levy heavy penalties, seize assets, garnish wages and even freeze bank accounts and confiscate funds. The IRS heavily fines...
The IRS Statute of Limitations on Collections Can Be Longer than 10 Years
What is a "statute of limitations" and how does it apply to debts you to the IRS? If you are a target of IRS collections, how long does the IRS have to collect a valid tax debt? Is it possible for the IRS statute of limitations on collections to be...
Can the IRS Take Your Passport for Unpaid Taxes
When can the IRS take your passport for unpaid taxes, and does that prevent you from international travel? Yes, the IRS has the power to take many actions to collect unpaid US taxes including the ability to take away your passport. At present, you must owe the IRS $50,000 or...
What is a PFIC and How Do Offshore Investments Lead to Higher Taxation?
What is a PFIC and how could your offshore investments actually lead to a higher taxation rate on earned income? A Passive Foreign Investment Company or PFIC is classified by the IRS in two ways: 75% or more of the income from the foreign corporation is classified as "passive income,"...
How to Handle an FTB or IRS Garnishment or Levy
If you receive a notice regarding an FTB or IRS garnishment or levy you have a limited time to take action that will significantly affect your financial future. The notice of a levy indicates the IRS or FTB is about to seize all of the money in one or more of...
Don’t Let IRS Impeachment Hearings Fool You – The IRS Offshore and FBAR Audits Aren’t Going Anywhere but Up
Don't be distracted by the US House of Representatives hearings where they are attempting to impeach IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. The commissioner stands accused of many allegations including lying to congress, abuse of power and other acts that diminish confidence in one of the US Government's most powerful agencies. Meanwhile,...
IRS Hires 700 New Auditors
The IRS hires 700 new auditors raising the ire of republican watchdogs and raising new questions about Commissioner John Koskinen's previous testimony regarding budget cuts and the need for an increase in the budget for the IRS. The Chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee responded sharply: "Now, less than...
IRS Wins Case Against Taxpayer Outed by Swiss Bank UBS Group Who Claimed “Innocent Error”
For all US taxpayers who have been watching developments in FATCA, FBAR reporting and the IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program or OVDP, last week's court case was striking in it's message: The IRS will not accept taxpayer claims of "innocent error" or related claims such as "ignorance to the law"...
Court Dismisses Case Against $1.4M IRS Offshore Penalty
A Texas court has dismissed a lawsuit against the IRS asserting that the IRS burden of proof to assess a $1.4M IRS offshore penalty had not been met. The IRS originally asserted that the plaintiff's failure to file an FBAR for his offshore accounts, assets and investments in 2008 was...