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You may be able to avoid paying FBAR penalties if you qualify for a delinquent FBAR submission or the Streamlined Compliance Procedures. These voluntary disclosure methods eliminate or reduce your tax penalties while getting you into reporting compliance.
Key Insights We Will Discuss:
The qualifications for a delinquent FBAR submission or the Streamlined Procedures.
The benefits of making a voluntary disclosure.
Other options if you don’t qualify for these offshore disclosure options.
Delinquent FBAR Submissions
A delinquent FBAR submission is the simplest way to correct your failure to file FBARs. However, this option is only available if you meet the following conditions:
You properly reported and paid tax on income related to your foreign accounts on your tax return.
Your failure to file FBARs was not willful.
You aren’t under examination or criminal investigation by the IRS, and you haven’t previously been contacted about your delinquent FBARs.
If you meet these conditions, you can submit your delinquent FBARs without paying any penalties. However, you should make sure you understand the eligibility requirements because delinquent FBAR submissions may be subject to a tax audit by the IRS.
Streamlined Compliance Procedures
The Streamlined Procedures have more relaxed eligibility requirements. The most important condition is that you must certify that your failure to file FBARs was not willful. Don’t make this certification unless you have thoroughly discussed the issue with a tax attorney.
You won’t need to pay any FBAR penalties if you qualify for the Streamlined Procedures. Instead, you’ll need to submit a miscellaneous offshore penalty equal to 5% of your highest aggregate account balance. You’ll also need to pay any back taxes due and interest.
Other Offshore Disclosure Options
If you don’t qualify for either of these options you may need to use the new Offshore Disclosure Program to disclose your foreign accounts. This generally requires the payment of some FBAR penalties. However, you may be able to negotiate a penalty assessment that is less than the maximum amount allowed by law. You also get to avoid criminal FBAR penalties, which can clued several fines and jail time.
Executive Summary :
– You may be able to completely avoid paying any FBAR penalties by making a delinquent FBAR submission or using the Streamlined Procedures.
– If you don’t qualify for these programs, you may still seek a reduced penalty assessment under the new Offshore Disclosure Program.
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