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Showing posts with label International tax law answers and questions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International tax law answers and questions. Show all posts

January 22, 2017

International Taxpayers - IRS Videos on Filing Requirements and, Foreign Earned Income Exclusion

Two videos from the IRS explaing International Taxpayer Filing Requirements and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.
When you need help with your US expatriate, international or nonresident tax planning, problem solving, or return preparation email us at ddnelson@gmail.com or call us on skype at dondnelson. We serve US taxpayers in 123 countries around the world. Download your 2016 expat questionnaire HERE .  The  fill it out and send in for a fee quote. 

June 25, 2015

IRS Videos For US Internatonal Taxpayers, expatriates and nonresidents

The following videos are now available on the IRS YouTube page for expatriates, US international taxpayers and nonresidents.
International Taxpayers-Introduction to the International Taxpayers Web Page   [Text]
Learn about the International Taxpayers section on IRS.gov and the helpful resources available to you.
International Taxpayers-Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)   [Text]
This video helps non-U.S. citizens determine if they need an IRS-issued tax reporting number, known as an ITIN, and how to apply for one.
International Taxpayers-Filing Requirements   [Text]
Learn about the requirements for filing an individual income tax return, including income limits while living abroad.
International Taxpayers-Filing Status If Married to a Nonresident Alien   [Text]
Find out different filing status options if you are married to a nonresident alien.
International Taxpayers-Foreign Earned Income Exclusion   [Text]
Find out who is eligible, what income qualifies and how to claim the exclusion.
International Taxpayers-Foreign Tax Credit   [Text]
Find out if you can claim a foreign tax credit for the foreign tax you paid.
If you need individual assistance on any of these matters go to www.TaxMeLess.com and www.expatattorneycpa.com for attorneys and CPAs with specialized expertise in all of these matters. Email us at ddnelson@gmail.com 
 References/Related Topics


February 7, 2014

US EXPATRIATE AND INTERNATIONAL TAX EXPERT ATTORNEY CPA TO SPEAK AT FREE PUBLIC SEMINAR ON FEBRUARY 12, 2014 IN PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO

FATCA AND IRS REPORTING FOR DUMMIES - INVESTING IN MEXICO MADE EASY

INTERCAM GRUPO FINANCIERO will Present a Seminar on February 12, 2014 in Puerto Vallarta at the Hotel Marriott Casa Magna featuring Don D. Nelson, US Attorney and CPA.  He is a US expatriate and international tax expert who has been assisting Americans in Mexico for over 23 years.  The seminar will be at 6pm.

He will speak on:

  • IRS filing requirements for reporting Mexican and other foreign financial accounts and how to avoid penalties for failing to file in a timely manner.
  • The new form 8938 required to report Mexican and other foreign financial assets
  • The new on line filing requirements for FBAR (foreign bank account reporting).  Yes you can no longer file on paper.
  • IRS Reporting for Mexican Businesses, Corporations, and real estate.
  • What to do if you have not been filing your US tax returns or foreign assets reporting forms and how to reduce or avoid the high penalties that may be imposed.
  • Current IRS audit procedures and policies for expatriates.
  • And he will answer your other questions on US taxation of those who live and work in Mexico
Don's informative and useful tax websites are located at www.TaxMeLess.com and www.Expatattorneycpa.com

Contact intercam at 52-322-2090696 to reserve your space.

Mr. Nelson will also be presenting a seminar in Melaque  the next evening. Intercam can provide you with more information on that seminar.

December 18, 2013

Expats - IRS Finally Tries to Make It Easier for You to Find Answer`

The IRS has released an International, Nonresident and Expatriate tax index.  They call it Tax Map.  Hopefully it will answer your questions... but those answers may not be understandable.  That is where you may still need a US International Tax Expert.  You can go to the Tax Map here.


Topics covered run from Alien Departure Permits to Working Abroad.  If you need further help email us at ddnelson@gmail.com or visit our website at www.TaxMeLess.  where many of these complex tax issues are simplified.

The latest expat and international developments are immediately posted at our blog: www.usexpatriate.blogspot.com 

September 19, 2011

IRS Voluntary Disclosure after 9/9/11



Standard Taxpayer IRS Voluntary Disclosure is still available after 9/9/11. 

 If you missed the 9/9/11 Deadline to enter the 2011 iRS Voluntary Disclosure Program you still can take advantage of the IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program which has always been in effect.  This procedure should be followed if  you have unfilled past tax returns and also have FBAR, Foreign Corporation, Foreign Partnership, Foreign Trust, and other special IRS forms which have not been filed in a timely manner.  The procedure described below is only available if you come forward first before the IRS discovers you have not been filing.

Read the details of the program below.

Voluntary Disclosure Practice

(1)  It is currently the practice of the IRS that a voluntary disclosure will be considered along with all other factors in the investigation in determining whether criminal prosecution will be recommended.  This voluntary disclosure practice creates no substantive or procedural rights for taxpayers, but rather is a matter of internal IRS practice, provided solely for guidance to IRS personnel.  Taxpayers cannot rely on the fact that other similarly situated taxpayers may not have been recommended for criminal prosecution.
(2)  A voluntary disclosure will not automatically guarantee immunity from  prosecution; however, a voluntary disclosure may result in prosecution not being recommended.  This practice does not apply to taxpayers with illegal source income.
(3)  A voluntary disclosure occurs when the communication is truthful, timely, complete, and when: 
a.  the taxpayer shows a willingness to cooperate (and  does in fact cooperate) with the IRS in determining his or her correct tax liability; and
b.   the taxpayer makes good faith arrangements with the IRS to pay in full, the tax, interest, and any penalties determined by the IRS to be applicable.
(4) A disclosure is timely if it is received before:
a.  the IRS has initiated a civil examination or criminal investigation of the taxpayer, or has notified the taxpayer that it intends to commence such an examination or investigation;
b.  the IRS has received information from a third party (e.g., informant, other governmental agency, or the media) alerting the IRS to the specific taxpayer’s noncompliance;
c.  the IRS has initiated a civil examination or criminal investigation which is directly related to the specific liability of the taxpayer; or
d.  the IRS has acquired information directly related to the specific liability of the taxpayer from a criminal enforcement action (e.g., search warrant, grand jury subpoena).
(5)  Any taxpayer who contacts the IRS in person or through a representative regarding voluntary disclosure will be directed to Criminal Investigation for evaluation of the disclosure.  Special agents are encouraged to consult Area Counsel, Criminal Tax on voluntary disclosure issues.

(6)  Examples of voluntary disclosures include:
a.  a letter from an attorney which encloses amended returns from a client which are complete and accurate (reporting legal source income omitted from the original returns), which offers to pay the tax, interest, and any penalties determined by the IRS to be applicable in full and which meets the timeliness standard set forth above.  This is a voluntary disclosure because all elements of (3), above are met.
b.  a disclosure made by a taxpayer of omitted income facilitated through a barter exchange after the IRS has announced that it has begun a civil compliance project targeting barter exchanges; however the IRS has not yet commenced an examination or investigation of the taxpayer or notified the taxpayer of its intention to do so.  In addition, the taxpayer files complete and accurate amended returns and makes arrangements with the IRS to pay in full, the tax, interest, and any penalties determined by the IRS to be applicable.  This is a voluntary disclosure because the civil compliance project involving barter exchanges does not yet directly relate to the specific liability of the taxpayer and  because all other elements of (3), above are met
c.  a disclosure made by a taxpayer of omitted income facilitated through a widely promoted scheme regarding which the IRS has begun a civil compliance project and already obtained information which might lead to an examination of the taxpayer; however, the IRS has not yet commenced an examination or investigation of the taxpayer or notified the taxpayer of its intent to do so.  In addition, the  taxpayer files complete and accurate returns and makes arrangements with the IRS to pay in full, the tax, interest, and any penalties determined by the IRS to be applicable.  This is a voluntary disclosure because the civil compliance project involving the scheme does not yet directly relate to the specific liability of the taxpayer and because all other elements of (3), above are met.
d.  A disclosure made by an individual who has not filed tax returns after the individual has received a notice stating that the IRS has no record of receiving a return for a particular year and inquiring into whether the taxpayer filed a return for that year.  The individual files complete and accurate returns and makes arrangements with the IRS to pay the tax, interest, and any penalties determined by the IRS to be applicable in full.  This is a voluntary disclosure because the IRS has not yet commenced an examination or investigation of the taxpayer or notified the taxpayer of its intent to do so and because all other elements of (3), above, are met.
(7) Examples of what are not voluntary disclosures include:
a.  a letter from an attorney stating his or her client, who wishes to remain anonymous, wants to resolve his or her tax liability. This is not a voluntary disclosure until the identity of the taxpayer is disclosed and all other elements of (3) above have been met.
b.  a disclosure made by a taxpayer who is under grand jury investigation.  This is not a voluntary disclosure because the taxpayer is already under criminal investigation.  The conclusion would be the same whether or not the taxpayer knew of the grand jury investigation.
c.  a disclosure made by a taxpayer, who is not currently under examination or investigation, of omitted gross receipts from a partnership, but whose partner is already under investigation for omitted income skimmed from the partnership.  This is not a voluntary disclosure because the IRS has already initiated an investigation which is directly related to the specific liability of this taxpayer.  The conclusion would be the same whether or not the taxpayer knew of the ongoing investigation.
d.  a disclosure made by a taxpayer, who is not currently under examination or investigation, of omitted constructive dividends received from a corporation which is currently  under examination.  This is not a voluntary disclosure because the IRS has already initiated an examination which is directly related to the specific liability of this taxpayer.  The conclusion would be the same whether or not the taxpayer knew of the ongoing examination.
e.  a disclosure made by a taxpayer after an employee has contacted the IRS regarding the taxpayer's double set of books.  This is not a voluntary disclosure even if no examination or investigation has yet commenced because the IRS has already been informed by the third party of the specific taxpayer's noncompliance.  The conclusion would be the same whether or not the taxpayer knew of the informant's contact with the IRS.

We can help you make a Voluntary Disclosure and provide you with the complete confidentiality and privacy of  "Attorney-client" privilege.  Do not wait until it is too late.

June 4, 2011

IRS FAILS INTERNATIONAL TAX QUESTION TEST

The IRS recently announced a new email form on their website, www.irs.gov  for the sole purpose of allowing tax payers to send them international tax questions with the promise they would respond with an answer from an expert within a reasonable time. We decided to test that question form and see what kind of answer was sent back.

We asked them a question on Form 5471 (foreign corporation tax form) involving a filing issue that was  specifically addressed and answered on page 1 or 2 of the IRS instructions to Form 5471.  We then waited for the email answer which came in about a week.

Their answer thanked us for our question and then state it was a complex question and we should consult a CPA or other tax professional for an answer because they were not able to answer it. The IRS response showed us:

  • One more time that a taxpayer cannot rely on the IRS who writes and administers the International Tax system to answer questions even if they indicate they will do so and  should know the answer.
  • A question that was answered on page 2 of the instructions for Form 5471 was too difficult for the IRS to handle....then how do they expect taxpayers to handle it.
  • The IRS creates a lot of business for tax professionals like us.