Are Streamlined Audits Becoming More Common? The Streamlined Submission that went Belly-Up (Part II)

Are "Streamlined" audits on the rise? It appears so. In 2016, two years after the Streamlined Procedures were put into place, then-Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline Ciraolo (Dept. of Justice) had this to say in an interview: "After seven years of voluntary disclosure programs, nearly 200 criminal prosecutions, and the increased assessment and suits to … Continue reading Are Streamlined Audits Becoming More Common? The Streamlined Submission that went Belly-Up (Part II) →

What Can Happen if Your Streamlined Submission Goes Belly-Up? (Part I)

The IRS Streamlined Procedure, whether the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedure (SFOP) or the Streamlined Domestic Offshore Procedure (SDOP) of 2014 is still available for taxpayers, but the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is apparently closely policing those who enter the program. The IRS is now very carefully vetting the cases coming in. A hallmark of the … Continue reading What Can Happen if Your Streamlined Submission Goes Belly-Up? (Part I) →

US Citizenship: Do You Really Want It? Brave New World – Assisted Reproductive Technology / Surrogacy / Same-sex Marriage

My earlier blog post discussed some of the complications that arise when certain individuals wish to renounce their US citizenship. The would-be renunciant must give up US citizenship “voluntarily” and with the requisite “intention” in order to meet the legal requirements for an effective renunciation. This can be a difficult hurdle to surmount in the … Continue reading US Citizenship: Do You Really Want It? Brave New World – Assisted Reproductive Technology / Surrogacy / Same-sex Marriage →

Special Hurdles: Expatriation of Minors / Mentally Challenged Individuals

I am now frequently receiving more and more expatriation inquiries from the foreign parents of a child born in the United States while the parents were studying there or were otherwise in America on some other temporary basis. “Jus soli” (the law of the soil) is a rule of common law followed by the US, under … Continue reading Special Hurdles: Expatriation of Minors / Mentally Challenged Individuals →

Foreign Loans & Mortgages – Foreigners Residing in US / Expats Returning to US…. Surprise! US Withholding Tax Required on Interest Payments?

Many Americans living abroad purchase properties in their foreign country of residence. They often accomplish this with financing from a financial institution located in the country where the property was purchased. Later, they may return to the US and continue holding the property and meeting their mortgage payments. Similarly, many non-US citizens purchase properties with … Continue reading Foreign Loans & Mortgages – Foreigners Residing in US / Expats Returning to US…. Surprise! US Withholding Tax Required on Interest Payments? →

LIVE WEBINAR: EXPATRIATION – DOS, USCIS Forms and Form 8854 GIVING UP A GREEN CARD (LTR) OR US CITIZENSHIP

Join the webinar on August 23 Tuesday at 12 noon EDT. Register here Tax pro's: A new line of business awaits if you are prepared to explain the expatriation process, assist with the various Department of State forms, provide guidance to handle the State Department interview, to approach the written statement of reasons for expatriation … Continue reading LIVE WEBINAR: EXPATRIATION – DOS, USCIS Forms and Form 8854 GIVING UP A GREEN CARD (LTR) OR US CITIZENSHIP →

Prince Harry (Part I) – Does US Citizenship Wait in the Royal Wings? What about the Impact on the Royal Family?

There are good lessons in today's post for any individual who is considering attaining "US status" - be it by obtaining a green card, US citizenship or through extended physical presence in America. The lessons are explained in detail in a 2-part blog post and will be helpful to Prince Harry who may possibly take … Continue reading Prince Harry (Part I) – Does US Citizenship Wait in the Royal Wings? What about the Impact on the Royal Family? →

FBAR Penalty & the US Supreme Court: If the Penalty is “Per Form”, are “Per Account” Penalty Refunds Possible?

My earlier blog posts discussed the split in the circuit courts whether the FBAR $10,000 civil nonwillful penalty is to be applied on a “per account” rather than “per form” basis. The Fifth and Ninth circuit courts disagree on the statutory interpretation of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) (31 U.S.C. § 5321(a)(5)(B)(i)), particularly what constitutes … Continue reading FBAR Penalty & the US Supreme Court: If the Penalty is “Per Form”, are “Per Account” Penalty Refunds Possible? →

Foreign Accounts and Assets: How I Approach a “Streamlined” Tax Filing Nowadays

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Streamlined Procedures of 2014 are still available for taxpayers with tax noncompliance issues that involve unreported income from a foreign financial asset. The Procedures can help taxpayers who have not filed certain information returns associated with the foreign asset (e.g., Form 8938; Form 5471 pertaining to ownership in a foreign … Continue reading Foreign Accounts and Assets: How I Approach a “Streamlined” Tax Filing Nowadays →

US Supreme Court to Decide: FBAR Penalty, $10K per Form or per Account?

The US Supreme Court just agreed to resolve the split in the circuit courts whether the FBAR $10,000 civil nonwillful penalty is to be applied on a “per account” rather than “per form” basis. By granting certiorari to Mr. Bittner, a taxpayer who petitioned the Court to review his case, we will finally have a … Continue reading US Supreme Court to Decide: FBAR Penalty, $10K per Form or per Account? →