Pres. Biden: 3d Party Information Reporting to be Increased – Foreign Accounts and Crypto Included

President Biden has an economic agenda and a big part of it is strengthening taxpayer compliance by increasing what must be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about client accounts by third party financial institutions and similar entities. The President’s proposal would require information reporting on both business and personal financial accounts. The reporting … Continue reading Pres. Biden: 3d Party Information Reporting to be Increased – Foreign Accounts and Crypto Included →

Closing the International Tax Gap: IRS Doing Virtually Nothing With FATCA

Today’s blog post discusses the overall and international tax gaps, takes a look at the offshore world and how enforcement of the tax laws is faring (hint - not so good). It summarizes some important testimony given on May 11, 2021 by the Honorable J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration before the … Continue reading Closing the International Tax Gap: IRS Doing Virtually Nothing With FATCA →

New Tax Laws on the Way…. Can They be Retroactive?

The question has often been asked whether Congress can enact retroactive tax legislation, in effect “setting back the clock” and making a law effective as if it had been enacted at an earlier point in time. The topic takes on special importance today as the Biden Administration is considering a vast magnitude of tax increases. Taxpayers … Continue reading New Tax Laws on the Way…. Can They be Retroactive? →

Senator Sanders – Gift and Estate Tax Reform Proposals Pack a Punch

Anyone out there thinking about estate tax planning, asset protection, making gifts? And, what about those considering expatriation? I am fielding many more inquiries about expatriation these days. Well, if you are considering any of these things, my sage advice would be to hurry up. Major transfer tax law changes look to be on the … Continue reading Senator Sanders – Gift and Estate Tax Reform Proposals Pack a Punch →

An Eye for Moving Abroad? Bye-Bye USA, Hello Tax Complications!

Bloomberg Tax - I invite readers to enjoy my recently published article, copied in full below. Reproduced with permission. Published April 20, 2021. The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (800-372-1033) http://www.bloombergindustry.com. Daily Tax Report International, published online here and in PDF format here. It has certainly been a year to remember. So many changes have … Continue reading An Eye for Moving Abroad? Bye-Bye USA, Hello Tax Complications! →

FinCEN Moving Quickly to Regulate Beneficial Ownership of US Entities

On April 5th, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the Treasury Department (FinCEN) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit public comment on questions pertinent to the implementation of the "Corporate Transparency Act" (CTA), enacted into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The ANPRM seeks … Continue reading FinCEN Moving Quickly to Regulate Beneficial Ownership of US Entities →

Taxpayer’s FBAR WIN: “Willful” Penalty over $9.8 Million for Mere Signature Authority — Removed Entirely

Today’s post involving the case of Jonathan Zuhovitzky presents some important takeaways: The IRS can get very aggressive when it comes to assessing “willful” FBAR penalties. We see this trend is on the rise. A diligent representative, however, can get the IRS to settle an FBAR matter that is favorable to the taxpayer. It takes … Continue reading Taxpayer’s FBAR WIN: “Willful” Penalty over $9.8 Million for Mere Signature Authority — Removed Entirely →

Selecting a Trustee for Your US Trust – What About a Foreign Family Member?

Many parents establish a trust for their children and intend that the trust be a domestic (US) trust. Often, this will be a testamentary trust. That is, one that comes into being upon death of the testator, created pursuant to a Last Will & Testament. Many parents struggle with the decision as to who to … Continue reading Selecting a Trustee for Your US Trust – What About a Foreign Family Member? →

GILTI – Act Now! Stop Toxic GILTI Changes on the Horizon

On November 8, 2020, I participated in a podcast with attorney John Richardson. We discussed some of the reasons why the incoming administration was likely to increase the pressure on Americans abroad. The podcast is here. On March 25, 2021 the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on International Taxation. The hearing discussed changes to … Continue reading GILTI – Act Now! Stop Toxic GILTI Changes on the Horizon →