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Understand How IRS Amnesty Works Before Entering 2014 OVDP

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Less than two months are left before the 2014 IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (“2014 OVDP”) closes on September 28, 2018. 2014 OVDP may offer great benefits to taxpayers with undisclosed foreign accounts, such as the possibility of avoiding criminal penalties and greatly reducing FBAR civil penalties. Yet, entering 2014 OVDP also implies a great variety of obligations and complications that many taxpayers will find overly invasive and burdensome. Moreover, non-willful taxpayers may resent not only the amount of paperwork, but also the 27.5% to 50% OVDP Miscellaneous Offshore Penalty.

Furthermore, 2014 OVDP has its own eligibility requirements which may simply prevent a taxpayer from being able to participate in the program. Unfortunately, the taxpayer may only find out about it after he submits his OVDP application, thereby exposing himself to potential IRS investigation and penalties.

In sum, entering 2014 OVDP is an important and highly complex decision that requires a detailed evaluation of the taxpayers’ facts. 2014 OVDP is not the best solution for everyone, but it may be a critical opportunity to settle past tax noncompliance for some taxpayers (especially taxpayers whose noncompliance is likely to be considered “willful” by the IRS) – an opportunity that should not be wasted.

Such legal analysis should only be done by a skilled international tax attorney who specializes in the area of offshore voluntary disclosures. The stakes are simply too high to entrust a matter of such importance to anyone else.

Experienced International Tax Attorney Sherayzen Can Help You With Your Offshore Voluntary Disclosure

Mr. Eugene Sherayzen is an international tax attorney who specializes in offshore voluntary disclosures. In fact, this speciality occupies more than 80% of his entire practice. Mr. Sherayzen has helped his clients with respect to every major IRS voluntary disclosure program, including 2009 OVDP, 2011 OVDI, 2012 OVDP, 2014 OVDP, Streamlined Domestic Offshore Procedures, Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures, Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedures and Delinquent International Information Return Submission Procedures.

Additionally, Mr. Sherayzen has conducted a great number of statutory voluntary disclosures based on Reasonable Cause exception or so called “Noisy Disclosures” (they were very popular prior to 2009 as well as between 2009 OVDP and the creation of the Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures).

Furthermore, Mr. Sherayzen represented his clients during the IRS audits of offshore voluntary disclosures, has extensive experience with IRS appeals and federal court litigation.

Contact Attorney Sherayzen Before Entering 2014 OVDP

Such an extensive work with offshore voluntary disclosures makes Mr. Sherayzen one of the most experienced offshore voluntary disclosure lawyers whose opinion should be obtained before entering 2014 OVDP.

Contact Mr. Sherayzen Today to Schedule Your Confidential Consultation!

New 2014 OVDP Update: Introduction

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On June 18, 2014, the IRS made a major upgrade to its existing Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (“OVDP”).  The new OVDP will now be called 2014 OVDP.  While the changes to the OVDP rules are significant, the new rules regarding the Streamlined Procedure are maybe even more important.

Here is a summary of the 2014 changes to the 2012 OVDP:

2014 OVDP Update: New Miscellaneous 50% Penalty

The IRS added a new FAQ 7.2 which imposes a 50% offshore penalty on taxpayers who participate in the OVDP if: either a foreign financial institution at which the taxpayer has or had an account or a facilitator who helped the taxpayer establish or maintain an offshore arrangement has been publicly identified as being under investigation or as cooperating with a government investigation.

I believe that this new penalty is a direct consequence of the successful IRS and DOJ efforts to enforce FATCA overseas, particularly the Swiss Program for Banks.  Read this article for more information.

2014 OVDP Update: Elimination of the Reduced Penalty Structure Under FAQ 52 and 53

The reduced 12.5% and 5% penalty structure under former FAQs 52 and 53 has been eliminated due to the expansion of the Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures. Rather, the new Streamline Offshore Procedure will take over. Special procedures apply to the taxpayer who already entered the OVDP program. I will provide more details in a later article.

2014 OVDP Update: Elimination of FAQ 17 and 18; Procedure is Still Available

This change is just the clarification of the already existing rules. While technically both rules are eliminated, the taxpayer can still use both rules.  Read this article with respect to the Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedures (replacing FAQ 17). I will provide the FAQ 18 details in a later article.

2014 OVDP Update: New Streamline Procedure Rules – US Residents are Included

It finally happened – taxpayers residing in the United States now have the option to enter the streamline procedures which were first announced on September 1, 2012. Other major changes include the elimination of the $1,500 tax threshold and elimination of the risk assessment process. I will provide more details in a later article.

2014 OVDP Update: Updated Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures

The IRS greatly expanded the eligibility requirements for the U.S. taxpayers who reside overseas.  Read this article on the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures.

2014 OVDP Update: Major Changes to FAQ 31-41

These are the important changes that the 2014 OVDP Update made to the calculation of the asset base to which the offshore penalty will apply.

2014 OVDP Update: New Pre-Clearance Procedural Change under FAQ 23

Now, the IRS wants to know more information about you before granting the pre-clearance to apply for the OVDP. The 2014 OVDP Update greatly expands the information required to be submitted under FAQ 23. I will provide more details in a later article.

2014 OVDP Update: Offshore Penalty Must Be Paid With Submission of the OVDP Package

This is a major 2014 OVDP Update to FAQ 7. Now the Offshore Penalty must be paid with the submission of the OVDP Package. Again, I will provide more details in a later article.

Other 2014 OVDP Updates: Procedural Changes

The rest of the 2014 OVDP Update changes are more procedural in nature, but may have real substantive impact. Among them, the changes in the FAQ 25 (requiring the submission of account statements irrespective of the size of the disclosure), new OVDP Letter, new OVDP Letter Attachment, and other technical changes. Once again, I will provide more details in a later article.

Contact Sherayzen Law Office for a Professional Advice Regarding Your Offshore Voluntary Options

The new 2014 OVDP Update presents new opportunities mixed with new traps. It is important to make sure that you get expert advice regarding your Offshore Voluntary Disclosure. Contact the experienced tax law firm of Sherayzen Law Office. We have helped clients throughout the world and we can help you.

Contact Us to Schedule Your Confidential Consultation!