Category Archives: OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNTS

SOME SWISS BANKS ARE MORE THAN ENCOURAGING U.S. CLIENTS TO ENTER THE OVDP – THEY ARE OFFERING FINANCIAL INCENTIVES

Posted on July 21, 2014 by steinbergtaxlaw

An article in the Wall Street Journal on July 19, 2014 by John Letzing (“Taxpayers Get Incentives to Report: Swiss Banks Aim to Entice Americans to Disclose Accounts to IRS by Helping Cover Costs, Penalties”), reveals what many professionals have … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 OVDP, 214 OVDP, FBARS, NEW OVDP, OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNTS, TAX, TAX CRIMES, VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

THE TAX LAW IS COMPLEX; OFFSHORE COMPLIANCE DECISIONS ARE DIFFICULT AND MISTAKES CAN HAVE GRAVE CONSEQUENCES

Posted on July 18, 2014 by steinbergtaxlaw

John J. Scroggin published an interesting and entertaining survey of tax complexity in the Wealth Strategies Journal (Tax Complexity, History, and Humor, July 8, 2014). The article begins with a quote from Judge Learned Hand:  “In my own case the … Continue reading →

Posted in 214 OVDP, FBARS, NEW OVDP, OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNTS, TAX, VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SOME ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF STREAMLINED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES FOR U.S. EXPATS

Posted on July 15, 2014 by steinbergtaxlaw

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.” – George Bernard Shaw Shaw’s admonition is applicable to the recently announced Streamlined Process and Transitional as alternatives for resolving offshore noncompliance exposure of U.S. citizens and permanent residents who … Continue reading →

Posted in 214 OVDP, FBARS, OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNTS, TAX, TAX CRIMES, UNFILED RETURNS, VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

STILL HAVE AN UNREPORTED FORIEGN FINANCIAL ACCOUNT? BEWARE THE TRUSTED ADVISORS: THEY WILL GIVE YOU UP TO SAVE THEIR OWN SKINS

Posted on July 6, 2014 by steinbergtaxlaw

The DOJ Press Release reproduced below in its entirety should be very scary to those still out in the cold with unreported foreign financial accounts.  We know that foreign banks are taking steps to minimize their risk of criminal prosecution … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 OVDP, 214 OVDP, FBARS, NEW OVDP, OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNTS, TAX CRIMES, VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

SOME ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF STREAMLINED PROCEDURES FOR U.S. CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS RESIDING IN THE U.S.

Posted on June 30, 2014 by steinbergtaxlaw

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.” – George Bernard Shaw Shaw’s admonition is applicable to the recently announced Streamlined Process and Transitional as alternatives for resolving offshore noncompliance exposure of U.S. citizens and residents.  Calls I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 OVDP, 214 OVDP, NEW OVDP, OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNTS, TAX, TAX CRIMES | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IRS COMMENTS ON NEW STREAMLINED FILING PROCEDURES FOR NON-WILLFUL OFFSHORE TAXPAYERS

Posted on June 21, 2014 by steinbergtaxlaw

 Amy S. Elliott’s article, IRS Answers Questions on Updated OVDP and Streamlined Filing, 2014 TNT 120-9 (6/23/14) summarizes selected comments of IRS officials at NYU’s recent Tax Controversy Forum. Two IRS officials were present: Jennifer Best, senior adviser, IRS Large … Continue reading →

Posted in NEW OVDP, OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNTS, TAX, TAX CRIMES, VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

ON FBAR WILLUL NON-FILING AND WILLFUL BLINDNESS – THE RUMSFELD DISCLAIMER

Posted on April 23, 2014 by steinbergtaxlaw

In United States v. Williams, (2012), the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the District Court’s holding that Williams’ failure to file an FBAR that was due June 30, 2001 was a non-willful failure to file because the government already … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 OVDP, FBARS, JOINT RETURNS, NEW OVDP, OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNTS, POLICY, RETURNS, TAX | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

106 SWISS BANKS AGREE TO NAME NAMES OF US DEPOSITORS

Posted on February 7, 2014 by steinbergtaxlaw

My post of September 6, 2013, “Heat on Offshore Tax Evaders Turned up: DOJ Offers Swiss Government Sanctioned Deal to Smaller Swiss Banks,” described in some detail the Swiss Bank Settlement Program (SBSP) under which Swiss banks not already under … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 OVDP, FBARS, NEW OVDP, OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNTS, TAX, VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

THE OFFSHORE DOMINOES ARE TUMBLING DOWN AND CREDIT SWISS WILL SOON FOLD

Posted on January 24, 2014 by steinbergtaxlaw

The Wall Street Journal reported today (“Credit Swiss Nears Tax-Cheat Deal,” by John Letzing, Francesco Guerrera and David Enrich) ) that Credit Swiss, Switzerland’s second largest bank, is said to be in serious negotiations with the Department of Justice to … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 OVDP, NEW OVDP, OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNTS, TAX, VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IT’S GOOD TO BE RICH: BEANIE BABY FOUNDER GOES FREE

Posted on January 17, 2014 by steinbergtaxlaw

Part T of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual deals with “Offenses Involving Taxation.” The Introductory Commentary states: The criminal tax laws are designed to protect the public interest in preserving the integrity of the nation’s tax system.  Criminal tax prosecutions … Continue reading →

Posted in 2011 OVDI, 2012 OVDP, FBARS, NEW OVDP, OFFSHORE BANK ACCOUNTS, TAX, TAX CRIMES, VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment