IRS Issues Updated F.A.Q. for 2012 Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program

On June 26, 2012, the IRS posted updated frequently asked questions and answers regarding the extended Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program that it announced in January 2012 (http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=256774,00.html). The IRS decided to extend the program indefinitely following the success of the 2011 and 2009 Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiatives. In its press release IR-2012-64 on June 26, 2012, the IRS announced that the programs have resulted in the collection of more than $5 billion in back taxes, interest and penalties from 33,000 voluntary disclosures under the 2011 and 2009 programs. Another 1,500 disclosures also have been made since the program was extended in January 2012.

The purpose of the IRS Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program is to motivate U.S. taxpayers to come into compliance voluntarily with the U.S. international reporting requirements and to prevent offshore tax evasion. The program allows U.S. taxpayers to file delinquent forms such as the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (“FBAR”) Form TD F 90-22.1; Form 8938 regarding specified foreign financial assets; Form 5471 regarding foreign corporations owned by U.S. persons; Form 5472 regarding 25% foreign-owned U.S. corporations; Form 8865 regarding foreign partnerships owned by U.S. persons; Forms 3520 and 3520-A regarding foreign gifts and foreign trusts; and Form 926 regarding transfers of property to foreign corporations.

The voluntary disclosure period under the 2012 program includes the most recent eight years for which the filing due date has already passed. According to FAQ #9, the eight year voluntary disclosure period does not include current years for which there has not yet been non-compliance. For example, U.S. taxpayers who submit the voluntary disclosure prior to the original or extended filing due date for the year 2011 must include the years 2003 through 2010 in the disclosure. For U.S. taxpayers who disclose after the original or extended due date for the year 2011, the disclosure must include the years 2004 through 2011.

The applicable penalty for participating in the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program is 27.5% of the highest aggregate balance in foreign bank accounts or value of foreign assets during the period covered by the voluntary disclosure. In some limited circumstances, a lower penalty of 12% or 5% could apply based on the requirements in FAQs #52 and #53. The incentive to participate in the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program is that U.S. taxpayers are able to file delinquent forms that should have been filed for prior years while avoiding criminal liability.

According to FAQ #3, the 2012 Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program does not have a set filing deadline by which U.S. taxpayers must apply. However, the IRS could change the terms of the program at any time going forward. For example, the IRS could increase the penalties, limit access to the program for certain taxpayers or end the program altogether.

For further information, please contact your Aronson tax advisor or Alison Dougherty, International Tax Services at 301.231.6795.