New IRS Voluntary Disclosure – Not a Criminal? Don’t Join!

Learn the facts about the new IRS voluntary disclosure as explained in my interview with attorney John Richardson. Posted December 9, 2018 All the US tax information you need, every week – Just follow me on Twitter @VLJeker (listed in Forbes, Top 100 Must-Follow Tax Twitter Accounts 2017-2021). Subscribe to Virginia – US Tax Talk … Continue reading New IRS Voluntary Disclosure – Not a Criminal? Don’t Join!

Newest Targets: “Enablers” and “Cryptocurrencies”

Over the summer, I blogged about the newly formed “Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement”, or the “J5”, for short.  Five countries form this international coalition: Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.   The goal of the J5 is to combat transnational tax crime through increased collaboration; in other words, these … Continue reading Newest Targets: “Enablers” and “Cryptocurrencies”

Before You Think of Becoming an “American Abroad”, Read This….

I was recently asked about the tax problems faced by Americans who move overseas.  Unfortunately, there are many US tax difficulties faced by Americans abroad. In order to make some sense of this vast topic, let's put the major problems into several basic categories.  Once aware of the problems lurking out there, you can get … Continue reading Before You Think of Becoming an “American Abroad”, Read This….

Form 8938: How This IRS FATCA Weapon is Failing

On July 5, 2018, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration ("TIGTA") issued a final audit report covering the enforcement efforts of the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” (the infamous "FATCA").  Readers may recall that FATCA was enacted in 2010, but it has been a very rocky road … Continue reading Form 8938: How This IRS FATCA Weapon is Failing

Too Little, Too Late: Fixing the Fraudulent Tax Return

Sometimes an individual will come to me with a pesky problem – they have filed a tax return, but it fraudulently omitted income. Typically, a lot of income.  Typically, from foreign sources.  Always, in hopes the omission will go unnoticed by the IRS.  The thinking is along the lines that since the omission involves foreign … Continue reading Too Little, Too Late: Fixing the Fraudulent Tax Return

Confused Yet? W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, Foreign ITINs and Dates of Birth

Compliance with the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) enacted 8 years ago, has resulted in a plethora of new US tax reporting requirements, forms and rules.  Unfortunately, all of these continue to evolve and become more and  more complex with the passage of time.  The year 2014 marked a significant year for the Form W-8BEN, a … Continue reading Confused Yet? W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, Foreign ITINs and Dates of Birth

Jail Time for Plastic Surgeon Hiding Money in Dubai

This FBAR case hit close to home. In fact, it hit home! The Department of Justice proudly announced that it flushed out a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon hiding money in Dubai and got him sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison. Marc Edward Mani, 50,  will serve jail time for failing to … Continue reading Jail Time for Plastic Surgeon Hiding Money in Dubai

FBAR “Last Chance” Due Date Soon Here – What to do with Virtual Currency?

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) had earlier issued an announcement reminding of the due date for filing the 2017 FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (the notorious “FBAR”).  The 2017 FBAR relates to foreign financial accounts held at any time during the calendar year 2017. In line with the change in … Continue reading FBAR “Last Chance” Due Date Soon Here – What to do with Virtual Currency?

Americans Abroad: Sept 18, LONDON – Push to End Citizenship-Based Taxation

A lively discussion is set to drum up support to convince US lawmakers to end America’s increasingly-unpopular “citizenship-based” tax regime. The meeting will take place in London next week. When: Tuesday 18 September 2018 - 17:30 to 19:00 Where: Central London location – to be confirmed upon RSVP (nearest tube: Westminster) Venue: To be provided upon RSVP (nearest … Continue reading Americans Abroad: Sept 18, LONDON – Push to End Citizenship-Based Taxation