Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.D. — US tax matters affecting international clients
On September 19, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas upended IRS FBAR enforcement in United States v. Sagoo (No. 4:24-cv-01159, N.D. Tex. 2025). Sharnjeet Sagoo, a U.S. taxpayer with international ties, faced over $1 million in penalties for alleged willful failures of the Bank Secrecy Act requirement to report foreign … Continue reading The Sagoo Case: FBAR’s Reckoning In A Globalized World
As the April 15 tax filing deadline approaches, U.S. persons with foreign financial accounts must be aware of their obligation to file the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, commonly called the “FBAR”. The filing deadline is April 15, the same due date as one’s U.S. income tax return, but there is an automatic … Continue reading FBAR Due Date: Triggers And Key Compliance Rules For U.S. Taxpayers
The IRS has established a new pass-through compliance unit within its Large Business and International division, as announced on October 22, 2024. This unit aims to tackle “complex financial arrangements”, targeting high-net-worth individuals and entities that use partnerships, S-corporations, and trusts to reduce their tax burdens. Funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, the initiative seeks … Continue reading IRS Just Launched Pass-Through Compliance Unit: Heightened Focus on Trusts Including Foreign Foundations
The Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FinCEN Form 114) commonly called the FBAR is a crucial reporting requirement for US persons (citizens, green card holders and those meeting the substantial presence test) with foreign financial accounts. With the deadline for the 2023 FBAR set for October 15, my Forbes article provides information to … Continue reading Need an FBAR Escape Hatch?
A recent decision from the 11th Circuit in United States v. Isac Schwarzbaum brings a major development in FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Reporting) penalties and their relationship with the Eighth Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause. The court's holding that FBAR penalties are subject to this constitutional protection under the Excessive Fines Clause is significant, offering taxpayers … Continue reading 11th Circuit Holds FBAR Penalties Are Subject to the Excessive Fines Clause: A Significant Taxpayer Weapon
On March 15, I was delighted to present cross-border tax topics of interest for the Financial Planning Association (FPA). FPA is a well-known membership organization for certified financial planner professionals and those engaged in the financial planning process. It provides its members with practice support, learning, advocacy, and networking. As a tax professional, with 40 … Continue reading Free for You: My Cross-Border Tax Presentation for the Financial Planning Association
It has been the position of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that a “Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts” (Form 114), commonly called the “FBAR”, must still be filed to report any foreign accounts, despite a green card holder’s treaty tie-breaker claim. It came as a big surprise to me that the United States … Continue reading Treaty Tie-Breaker is an FBAR Escape Hatch, Says the Court!
What we have all been waiting for! Bittner v. United States was just decided hours ago by the United States Supreme Court! An amazing taxpayer win. It is late here in the Middle East, so I provide only the information you need to know! You can read the full case here. The Bank Secrecy Act … Continue reading BREAKING! US Supreme Court — FBAR “Nonwillful” Penalty is Per Form and NOT Per Account
Digital assets and FBAR reporting are definitely on the horizon but as yet, have not arrived. With the various announcements by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that focus on the proper tax reporting for digital assets, as well as delaying implementation of third party broker reporting, it makes total sense that the Financial Crimes Enforcement … Continue reading Digital Asset Reporting for Mr. FBAR @FinCEN
The United States Supreme Court has just set the stage for sky high FBAR penalties. How did this happen? Let's take a look - The case of United States v. Toth, No. 21-1009 (1st Cir. 2022) was on appeal to the US Supreme Court. The focus of the appeal was that the FBAR penalty was … Continue reading FBAR Penalties – US v. Molyneux and the Big Fat Money Grab
Virginia - US TAX TALK 