High-net-worth individuals and families contemplating diversifying their wealth beyond U.S. borders, also known as outbound wealth planning, may be motivated by concerns about domestic political developments, economic policy...more
Americans who live abroad continue to be subject to U.S. taxation despite having left the United States. American expats should be aware of this and the consequences of not being tax compliant. George McCormick discusses...more
On September 8, 2023, the IRS issued a News Release suggesting that FBAR compliance investigations and audits would heat up in the near future. For those unfamiliar with FBARs, federal law requires United States persons to...more
On February 28, 2023, in a significant tax case, Bittner v. US, the U.S. Supreme Court held that a U.S. person who fails to file his or her FBAR on a non-willful basis only is subject to a single penalty on the failure to...more
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the $10,000 penalty for a nonwillful violation of the foreign bank account reporting rules in the Bank Secrecy Act applies on a “per-form” basis, not a “per-account” basis, handing...more
Introduction - Much of the current litigation between taxpayers and the United States has centered on the definition of willfulness or whether the non-willful FBAR penalty should apply on a per year or per account basis. ...more
Increasing demand for transparency and tax rules focused on the ownership of foreign financial accounts and interests in foreign trusts and entities affect private wealth planning. There are steps you can take to comply with...more
The U.S. Supreme Court began its new term last week and is poised to answer some major questions in criminal and regulatory law. This term, the Court is tasked with construing the Bank Secrecy Act’s penalty provision, ruling...more
Federal case and after federal case continues to come out providing real-life examples of the pitfalls of filing a Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedure (“SFCP”) with the IRS when the facts suggest willfulness rather than...more
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to resolve a dispute concerning the maximum applicable penalty for non-willful violations of the foreign bank account reporting statute. The Ninth and Fifth circuit courts are split on...more
On June 21, 2022, the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear a dispute involving split decisions among the circuit courts on non-willful penalties. The Fifth Circuit parted ways with the taxpayer friendly decision of the...more
In most cases, IRS exam initiates FBAR assessments. And, after an IRS examiner determines that an FBAR penalty is appropriate, taxpayers are generally afforded pre- or post-assessment appeals rights with the IRS Independent...more
On July 29, 2021, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice Tax Division, and the IRS Commissioner all announced that a federal court in New...more
In a recent decision, a federal district court found that a long-time CPA/tax-return preparer recklessly failed to file FBARs to disclose several foreign financial accounts. As avid readers of our Insights are aware, many...more
Last week the Ninth Circuit issued a win for taxpayers in US v. Boyd, limiting penalties for non-willful violations of the requirement to file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). ...more
Individuals who own virtual currency should consult with a tax professional to determine if their virtual currency is subject to a reporting requirement. On December 31, 2020, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network...more
The Internal Revenue Service has had a long-standing practice of providing taxpayers with potential criminal exposure a means to come into compliance with the law and potentially avoid criminal prosecution through the making...more
Following the termination last fall of its immensely successful Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced a new regime to govern all voluntary disclosures regarding tax...more
On November 29, 2018, the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") published a memorandum (the "Memorandum") dated November 20, 2018, outlining the new process for all voluntary disclosures, both domestic and offshore (the "New...more
Now, More than Ever, Taxpayers with Lingering Offshore Tax Non-Compliance Must Seek Professional Assistance - On November 20, 2018, the Internal Revenue Service (“the Service”) released a memorandum containing important...more
Both the American Bar Association (ABA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) have written letters (3/19/18 for the ABA and 5/30/18 for the AICPA) to the IRS to obtain further definition and...more
The jurors in the Paul Manafort case had questions regarding the complex Foreign Bank Account Reports (FBARs) regulations. This was evidenced by the jury’s questions to the judge addressing the responsibility to file an FBAR...more
There are legal and financial consequences to any U.S. person who underreports their income. Moreover, similar consequences may exist even in a situation in which all income is reported, yet certain information returns are...more
On March 13, 2018, the Internal Revenue Service announced that it will begin to ramp down the 2014 Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (“OVDP”) and will close the program on September 28, 2018. The OVDP is currently offered...more
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced significant changes to its Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP), which it first offered in 2009. The IRS revised OVDP over the years, including introducing the...more