Katholos – New Case Shows IRS Aggression in Asserting FBAR “Willful” Penalty

I have been blogging recently (here and here) about the IRS’ aggressive stance in determining what constitutes a taxpayer’s “willful” failure to file an FBAR and the fact that mounting court cases show the judiciary is buying in to the IRS’ position. Courts appear to be more easily upholding a finding of “willfulness” when it … Continue reading Katholos – New Case Shows IRS Aggression in Asserting FBAR “Willful” Penalty →

Tax Primer: US Expats & Foreigners

Everything you need to know about US tax is right here at your fingertips! My primer provides information for overseas Americans and green card holders on US tax obligations including Income Tax, Estate Tax and Gift Tax as well as IRS reporting requirements and State income tax. It also provides detailed information for foreign individuals … Continue reading Tax Primer: US Expats & Foreigners →

Flying Under the Radar: Personal Use of “Business” Frequent Flyer Miles

Do I have to pay tax on that? Get the full scoop in today's post! “Expat” taxpayers living abroad are often given certain perks from their employers that would not be provided if the individual remained State-side. For example, provision by the employer for airline tickets home for the taxpayer and his/her family; or payment … Continue reading Flying Under the Radar: Personal Use of “Business” Frequent Flyer Miles →

The Sky’s the Limit: FBAR Penalty Win for IRS – New Case Upholds 50% of Account Balance

I have been keeping readers up to date with the current controversy surrounding imposition of an FBAR penalty for “willful” violations. Two courts have limited the FBAR “willfulness” penalty to $100,000 because the Department of Treasury did not update the relevant regulations to match the statute as revised by Congress in 2004. Essentially the dispute … Continue reading The Sky’s the Limit: FBAR Penalty Win for IRS – New Case Upholds 50% of Account Balance →

The FATCA Goose Lays a Rotten Egg: Treasury Watchdog Lambasts IRS & US Supreme Court Denies Relief

I have blogged extensively about the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” (FATCA) in the past. Most of my readers know that FATCA was enacted in 2010 but has taken years to implement. The law requires foreign (non-US) financial institutions (FFIs) to report financial accounts owned by US persons (including through entities) to the Internal Revenue … Continue reading The FATCA Goose Lays a Rotten Egg: Treasury Watchdog Lambasts IRS & US Supreme Court Denies Relief →

Second Court Bars IRS from Assessing FBAR “Willful” Penalty in Excess of $100,000

Another court just slammed the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), limiting the “willful” FBAR penalty to $100,000. Another taxpayer victory took place last week in United States v. Wadhan, (Civil Action No. 17-CV-1287-MSK District Court, District of Colorado July 18, 2018). The Wadhan’s failed to file or filed inaccurate so-called FBARs for 2008, 2009, and 2010. … Continue reading Second Court Bars IRS from Assessing FBAR “Willful” Penalty in Excess of $100,000 →

Court Slams IRS: Can’t Assess More Than $100,000 “Willful” FBAR Penalty

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must be fuming over the recent court decision in United States v. Colliot (W.D. Texas, Austin Division, Case No. AU-16-CA-01281-SS). The case was initiated by the US Government to reduce to judgment outstanding civil penalties assessed against Ms. Colliot for her “repeated and willful failures to timely file” an FBAR for the … Continue reading Court Slams IRS: Can’t Assess More Than $100,000 “Willful” FBAR Penalty →

Form 1040: Similar to a Postcard, But …With (LONG) Letters Attached

Looks to me like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is doing the “shuffle”! The draft Form 1040 for 2018 certainly looks shorter, but closer inspection shows the IRS is merely shuffling the workload onto Schedules. Right now, the IRS is very busy keeping pace with the changes wrought by the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act … Continue reading Form 1040: Similar to a Postcard, But …With (LONG) Letters Attached →

Form 5472 – Everything You Need To Know (Part I)

This tax filing season brought a wave of questions about Form 5472. Interest in this complex form was renewed because of recent Treasury Regulations requiring that it be filed by single-member US LLC’s that are foreign owned. Prior to the issuance of these regulations, a single member foreign-owned US LLC was treated as a tax … Continue reading Form 5472 – Everything You Need To Know (Part I) →

Form 5472 – Everything You Need To Know (Part II)

Last week’s blog post covered some basics about Form 5472, including how the Form helps the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) learn about foreign-owned businesses in the US and when to audit them, the meanings of certain terms such as what is meant by a “reportable transaction” with a “related party”, and the situation requiring filing of … Continue reading Form 5472 – Everything You Need To Know (Part II) →