What if Someone Dies Owning an Undeclared Foreign Financial Account? What Should The Executor & Heirs Do?

Henry Seggerman has first-hand experience with this type of situation. Without hesitation, my guess is that he’ll tell you to get the Estate into an IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program (“VDP”). Here is the tale of the unenviable case of the Seggermans! Henry was the son of a prominent New York businessman who passed away. Henry was … Continue reading What if Someone Dies Owning an Undeclared Foreign Financial Account? What Should The Executor & Heirs Do? →

Can You Claim a Refund of Your “Willful” FBAR Penalty?

Below is a copy of my post as it appeared (May 21 2018) on my former blog "Let's Talk About US Tax" hosted by AngloInfo. We had a very interesting case decided May 16 2018 when a district court in Texas granted Dominique Colliot’s motion for summary judgment (United States, v. Dominique G. Colliot). The … Continue reading Can You Claim a Refund of Your “Willful” FBAR Penalty? →

OVDP Ending / IRS To Announce New Procedures

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminded taxpayers yesterday that they have until September 28 to apply for the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP). In March, the IRS announced the program would end on the 28th of this month. The IRS has made clear that it will continue to hold taxpayers with undisclosed offshore holdings accountable after … Continue reading OVDP Ending / IRS To Announce New Procedures →

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 →

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 →

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 →