FBAR Criminal Penalties
Potentially, a person who willfully fails to file an FBAR or files a false FBAR may be subject to:
- A prison term of up to 10 years
- Criminal penalties of up to $500,000
- or both
When it comes to penalties, FinCEN Form 114 formerly Form TD F 90-22.1, Report on Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (commonly known as FBAR), is one of the most severe forms ever issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
In addition to a rich arsenal of civil penalties, the FBAR is also armed with criminal penalties that U.S. taxpayers may face in cases of willful non-compliance with the FBAR regulations. The two most common cases for criminal prosecution are willful failure to file an FBAR and willful filing a false FBAR, especially when combined with potential tax evasion.
The authority for the severe criminal penalties can be found in 31 U.S.C. § 5322. This means that, potentially, a person who willfully fails to file an FBAR or files a false FBAR may be subject to a prison term of up to 10 years, criminal penalties of up to $500,000 or both potentially, a person who willfully fails to file an FBAR or files a false FBAR may be subject to a prison term of up to 10 years, criminal penalties of up to $500,000 or both.
With the mountain of information that the IRS recently accumulated as a result of the 2009 OVDP, 2011 OVDI and, now, 2012 OVDP voluntary disclosure programs, one should expect a dramatic rise in FBAR enforcement. This, of course, means that we are likely to witness the equivalent rise in FBAR audits and criminal prosecutions.
Contact Sherayzen Law Office for FBAR Help
If you have undisclosed foreign accounts and you are subject to the FBAR requirements, contact Sherayzen Law Office immediately. Our experienced international tax firm will thoroughly review your case, analyze the available options in a responsible and creative way, create a case plan, draft and complete the necessary legal and tax documents and forms, and rigorously represent your case before the IRS.