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Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)

Jun 27, 2011 Cash Management, Federal Tax Return, Financial Decisions, Income Taxes

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Do you have business interest in a foreign bank or have any foreign financial accounts? We have provided information especially for US taxpayers living abroad or resident aliens regarding filing a personal income tax return. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has updated their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (commonly referred to as FBAR) including specifically updated FBAR filing requirements and updated FBAR financial accounts.

Any taxpayer who has a financial interest that exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year including signature authority (or any other authority of the account) in a foreign country should review this information carefully. A “financial account” is defined as any banking institution, foreign financial securities or derivatives, or other financially related instruments.

Does your financial interests exceed $10,000 during the calendar year?

The IRS considers a country as “foreign” if the location geographically resides outside the United States, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, or any territories or possessions of the US including Guam, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands.

The official IRS website, irs.gov, provides a variety of current and relevant topics and references for taxpayers with international financial dealings. Consult with an experienced tax professional before you file a personal income tax return that involves ANY foreign income or matters that pertain to a foreign bank and financial accounts.

Tags: filing requirements, financial accounts, foreign bank accounts