Tag: foreign assets

IRS Wants Crypto Information from Foreign Countries

Last week during testimony to the Senate Finance Committee (SFC), US Internal Revenue Service Commissioner (IRS) Charles Rettig stated that Congress needs to provide clear statutory authority in order for the IRS to collect information on cryptocurrency transfers valued over US$10,000.  It is believed that such transfers are generally not being reported. Cryptocurrency market capitalization … Continue reading IRS Wants Crypto Information from Foreign Countries →

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 →

What does Senator Warren’s Proposed Wealth Tax Mean for You?

The ‘‘Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act of 2021’’ (the “Act”) was proposed by Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders on March 1, 2021.  Like all other tax proposals I have seen in my over 35+ years of tax practice, once the bee is in the bonnet, legislation will inevitably, inexorably, eventually blossom and flourish.  The Act … Continue reading What does Senator Warren’s Proposed Wealth Tax Mean for You? →

Third Party Reporting of Virtual Currency: Who’s Telling the IRS What?

Many of my readers are aware that I have written various blog posts about the US tax issues that surround virtual currency. Some have asked, (perhaps innocently, perhaps not), about so-called “third party reporting” of virtual currency to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) .  For those who do not know what this means – it’s … Continue reading Third Party Reporting of Virtual Currency: Who’s Telling the IRS What? →

REMINDER: Wondering if You (or Your Clients) Need to File an FBAR or Have Been Preparing Them Correctly?

Please spread the word and share this news. I will be making FBAR matters simple in a cost-effective live online training session along with my colleague, Jimmy Sexton, LL.M. a fellow international tax expert. Whether you are preparing your own FBARs or those of your clients, the truth is that some FBAR situations are simple … Continue reading REMINDER: Wondering if You (or Your Clients) Need to File an FBAR or Have Been Preparing Them Correctly? →

Want Protection from Criminal Prosecution for Tax Noncompliance? IRS Provides Only One Way

As many will remember, the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) closed on September 28 2018 with the promise that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would issue new guidance on voluntary disclosures made after that date.  The guidance arrived on November 20 2018 in the form of a 5-page Memorandum (IRS Memorandum LB&I-09-1118-014) (“Memorandum”) by the … Continue reading Want Protection from Criminal Prosecution for Tax Noncompliance? IRS Provides Only One Way →

Estate Taxes Going Up – Is There Still a Golden Gifting Opportunity?

Janet Yellen, the former Federal Reserve chairperson is now the new US Secretary of  the Treasury.  She has staunchly defended President Biden's plan to reduce the estate-tax exemption amount from the current US$11.5 million to US$3.5 million, as well as to increase the top estate tax rate from 40% to 45%.  In responding to criticism … Continue reading Estate Taxes Going Up – Is There Still a Golden Gifting Opportunity? →

Everyone – Including Foreigners… Stay Away from California! 10-Year Wealth Tax Looms for Single Year Stays Over 60 Days

Why should I blog about a possible wealth tax in California? After all, my US tax blog focusses on international tax matters, US persons abroad, and foreign families with any US connections.  Well, for starters, many of my clients are foreign nationals who (prior to COVID-19) enjoy visiting the US, or have specialized medical treatment … Continue reading Everyone – Including Foreigners… Stay Away from California! 10-Year Wealth Tax Looms for Single Year Stays Over 60 Days →