Entries by Manager

Retirement Savings Contributions Credit 2013

You may be eligible for a tax credit if you make eligible contributions (other than rollover contributions) to an employer-sponsored retirement plan or to an individual retirement arrangement. Eligible Plans The eligible plans for the retirement savings contribution credit include: traditional and Roth IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457, SEP, SIMPLE, 501(c)(18)(D) and contributions to a […]

FBARs and Polish Lokata Accounts

In recent years, I have received a number of questions from my Polish clients about whether “Lokata” accounts are reportable on the FBARs. The short answer is “Yes”. Lokata Accounts Lokata is a fixed-term deposit account which is very common in Polish banks; a Lokata is very similar to U.S. CD-type of accounts. There are […]

Form 114(a): Authorization to Efile FBARs

In response to numerous requests made by the international tax attorneys and individual FBAR filers of the Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBARs) jointly with spouses, or wish to submit them via third-party preparers, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) introduced FinCEN Form 114(a), Record of Authorization to Electronically File FBARs. A copy […]

Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Attorney: Introduction to Program for Swiss Banks

Since the early 2000s, the IRS has engaged in a multi-layered effort to enforce U.S. tax laws overseas, in particular (at least from the perspective of an offshore voluntary disclosure attorney) curb tax evasion in Switzerland with the emphasis on undisclosed Swiss financial accounts (mainly FBAR compliance). In 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) […]