Americans with Israeli Bank Accounts- Under Heightened Scrutiny in 2014

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Americans with Israeli bank or other financial accounts could face a tough tax season in 2014 if they do not come forward and disclose their assets to the IRS.  Recently, Israeli banks have come under increased scrutiny by the IRS in regards to disclosing the accounts of their American clients.  In particular, three Israeli banks- Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi and Mizrahi Tefahot- are under investigation by the Department of Justice.  To avoid prosecution, many other Israeli banks will begin turning over information as early as July 2014.

The prompt release of U.S. accountholder information by Israeli banks is a result of the IRS’s efforts to fully implement the 2010 Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) which requires foreign banks and financial institutions to report the assets of their American account holders.  FATCA was passed as part of the U.S. government’s effort to crack down on U.S. tax evaders.  Initially, the IRS concentrated its efforts on Swiss Banks.  However, in the past year, the IRS has been expanding its reach to other countries, particularly Israel.

As a result of this crackdown, some Israeli banks have been urging their American account holders to come forward and disclose their assets under the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative (OVDI).  In December 2013, Bank Leumi, the largest commercial Bank in Israel, sent out a letter to their American clients to come forward under the program.

U.S. taxpayers with account holdings should seriously consider coming forward and disclosing their assets to the IRS.  If you have never reported your foreign investments on your U.S. Tax Returns, the IRS has established the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative (OVDI) which allows taxpayers to come forward to avoid criminal prosecution and not have to bear the full amount of penalties normally imposed by IRS.

Despite the recent scrutiny by IRS on the Israeli bank, the attorneys with Law Offices Of Jeffrey B. Kahn, P.C. are still qualifying taxpayers with Israeli bank accounts for OVDI. With our expertise in Offshore Account Voluntary Disclosures, taxpayers should result in avoiding any pitfalls and gaining the maximum benefits conferred by this program.

Description: Let the tax attorneys of the Law Offices Of Jeffrey B. Kahn, P.C. resolve your IRS tax problems, get you in compliance with your FBAR filing obligations, and minimize the chance of any criminal investigation or imposition of civil penalties.

Swiss Banks Rush to Meet U.S. Disclosure Deadline – Urge Their American Account Holders to Come Forward with Disclosure to the IRS

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The Swiss government has been urging about 300 Swiss banks to come forward and disclose their American account holdings to the U.S.   The deadline set by the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) for the Swiss banks to participate in a voluntary program whereby they disclose assets of their American clients was December 31, 2013.  By disclosing the assets and paying fines, the banks would be avoiding criminal prosecution.

In recent years, the U.S. has been cracking down on American tax evaders and the banks that help them.  In 2009, Swiss banking giant UBS admitted they were aiding tax evaders and paid out $780 million in a settlement with the U.S.  Another bank, Wegelin & Co., folded because of pressures from the DOJ investigation.

In turn, the Swiss banks have been pressuring their U.S. clients to come forward and disclose their assets to the IRS.  In December 2013, Swiss banks sent out letters to their American clients urging them to fess up.  The hope is that if more account holders come forward, the banks will pay less in fines and penalties.

Over 80% of Swiss Banks surveyed had stated that they have implemented the steps to participate in the DOJ Disclosure Program and that they are sending information on U.S accountholders to the DOJ.

If you have never reported your foreign investments on your U.S. Tax Returns, the IRS has established the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative (OVDI) which allows taxpayers to come forward to avoid criminal prosecution and not have to bear the full amount of penalties normally imposed by IRS.  Taxpayers who hire an experienced tax attorney in Offshore Account Voluntary Disclosures should result in avoiding any pitfalls and gaining the maximum benefits conferred by this program.

Let the tax attorneys of the Law Offices Of Jeffrey B. Kahn, P.C. resolve your IRS tax problems, get you in compliance with your FBAR filing obligations, and minimize the chance of any criminal investigation or imposition of civil penalties.

U.S. Treasury Closer To Inking Foreign Tax Info-Sharing Deals

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U.S. tax authorities and foreign governments are on track to conclude dozens of agreements in coming months on the sharing of financial data about citizens, with deadlines nearing for implementation of a sweeping U.S. anti-tax evasion law – the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). More than 50 other countries are working with the IRS to sign Intergovernmental Agreements which need to be in place by the end of 2013. If a foreign bank or financial institution falls to comply with FATCA, it could be frozen out of U.S. capital markets. Thus, foreign firms have a big incentive to comply with the law in reporting U.S. account holders.

The Bank Secrecy Act requires that a Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR), be filed if the aggregate balances of such foreign accounts exceed $10,000 at any time during the year. This form is used as part of the IRS’s enforcement initiative against abusive offshore transactions and attempts by U.S. persons to avoid taxes by hiding money offshore.

The penalties for FBAR noncompliance are stiffer than the civil tax penalties ordinarily imposed for delinquent taxes. The penalties for noncompliance which the government may impose include a fine of not more than $500,000 and imprisonment of not more than five years, for failure to file a report, supply information, and for filing a false or fraudulent report.

The IRS has established the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative (OVDI) which allows taxpayers to come forward to avoid criminal prosecution and not have to bear the full amount of penalties normally imposed by IRS.  Taxpayers who hire an experienced tax attorney in Offshore Account Voluntary Disclosures should result in avoiding any pitfalls and gaining the maximum benefits conferred by this program.