My article is copied in full below. It first appeared on Forbes July 24, 2024 – link here. You can follow me on Forbes for free. Imagine this: You have a pressing tax question and, like many, you turn to Google. Among the plethora of results, you spot information from the IRS, including its … Continue reading The Scary Truth About Navigating IRS Tax Guidance
Tag: tax forms
IRS “Direct File” Will Become a Permanent Option – But Not for Americans Overseas
The IRS announced on Thursday May 30, it will make Direct File a permanent option for filing federal tax returns starting in the 2025 tax season. Taxpayers who can fit within the Direct File eligibility parameters will be able to file their federal tax return for free, directly with the IRS! No middleman, no TurboTax, … Continue reading IRS “Direct File” Will Become a Permanent Option – But Not for Americans Overseas
Taxpayer Wins! Foreign Gift Not Reported: DOJ Concedes he had “Reasonable Cause”
We have had a taxpayer win in the foreign information reporting arena! I provide a summary of the case of Mr. Krzysztof Wrzesinski below. For readers who wish more, the taxpayer’s complaint is here. Background of the Wrzesinski Case Mr. Wrzesinski (“Taxpayer” or “T”) was a native of Poland who immigrated to the United States … Continue reading Taxpayer Wins! Foreign Gift Not Reported: DOJ Concedes he had “Reasonable Cause”
BREAKING! US Supreme Court — FBAR “Nonwillful” Penalty is Per Form and NOT Per Account
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
FBAR Penalties – US v. Molyneux and the Big Fat Money Grab
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
Overseas Americans: Fast Facts About Amending a US Income Tax Return
Soon enough thoughts will turn to preparing US tax returns for 2022. Thorough preparation should at least include a review of the tax return filed for the prior tax year. In doing this, it often happens that taxpayers discover an error occurred in filing a prior year’s return. If an error is discovered, it may … Continue reading Overseas Americans: Fast Facts About Amending a US Income Tax Return
US Tax – Safeguarding Finances of the Elderly, Stateside and Abroad
My latest article is copied below in full, as published by Bloomberg Tax, December 9, 2022 in Tax Insights, reproduced with permission, link here.The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (800-372-1033) http://www.bloombergindustry.com The growing trend of email and phone scammers, combined with the potential for diminished cognitive abilities due to aging, can imperil elderly people’s financial … Continue reading US Tax – Safeguarding Finances of the Elderly, Stateside and Abroad
Is IRS Finally Seeing the Light on Foreign Information Returns?
Bloomberg Tax - I invite readers to enjoy my recently published article, copied in full below. Reproduced with permission. Published December 3, 2021. The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (800-372-1033) http://www.bloombergindustry.com published in Tax Insights and Commentary News, online here. Various options are available to correct the problem of missing information returns for U.S. … Continue reading Is IRS Finally Seeing the Light on Foreign Information Returns?
US Tax Planning Before Immigrating to the United States
Many people do not think about the possible US tax planning techniques available to them before they become taxed as US “residents”. Once taxed as a US "resident" (e.g., a green card holder) the individual must clearly understand they are liable for US income tax on their worldwide income, in the same manner as a … Continue reading US Tax Planning Before Immigrating to the United States
The Times They Are a Changin’ – FBAR Reporting of Virtual Currency Foreign Accounts
It’s been no secret that virtual currency has been in the crosshairs of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for some time. Virtual currency is one of the IRS “campaigns” and criminal investigations related to crypto have already started. The IRS has been sending taxpayers “educational” letters to remind them and warn them of their tax … Continue reading The Times They Are a Changin’ – FBAR Reporting of Virtual Currency Foreign Accounts









