FATCA Is Officially Underway
We’ve been talking about it for months and according to the IRS, FATCA is now officially underway. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act is live and the IRS is actively exchanging information with several other countries that have signed on. So what does that mean for you and your information if you have funds in a foreign bank account? Is your information now subject to the IRS?
According to the nation’s top tax agency, at this time it is only sharing information in reciprocal exchanges that meet the agency’s strict requirements and security standards. FATCA was first passed in 2010, but most of the law didn’t take effect until this year. Any foreign institution that doesn’t comply stands to be frozen out of the all-important U.S. markets. In other words, compliance really isn’t an option.
The IRS is now offering a searchable financial institution list, as well as a downloadable tool, plus a user guide. All foreign financial institutions that have signed up with FATCA have to disclose names, addresses, account numbers and information and U.S. ID numbers. Taxpayers also need to be aware that reporting their foreign account information with FATCA is not enough. They must still file their FBARs, and a Form 8938 might also be necessary.
Make sure you don’t overlook these forms or you will wind up paying penalties: civil and possibly criminal. Sometimes the civil penalties, or the financial fines, could actually exceed the amount in your foreign account. While FATCA is really just getting started, you better not wait to get in compliance. GROCO can help you prepare for FATCA, as well as with your FBARs and your Form 8938. Click here to contact us or call us at 1-877-CPA-2006.
Here’s What Successful People Do Differently
Here’s What Successful People Do Differently Think about some of the most successful people you know. What makes them stand out? How did they become successful? What things do they do differently than most people? It takes hard work and the right attitude to become successful. And most successful people share very similar characteristics. So…
Alternative to Deleting Facebook
Facebook is getting a lot of criticism. Last week Apple CEO Tim Cook slam’s Facebook that it wouldn’t be in the situation because it cares about privacy. Facebook is also getting heat from congress over the last presidential election and the spreading of fake news.While some users are calling to delete their Facebook account, there are other options. According to Mark Zuckerburg, Facebook is taking actions to prevent companies from getting your information and ensuring these types of things
How to Maintain the Most Important Ingredient for Leadership
Remember those battery commercials featuring the Energizer Bunny? He just kept going, and going, and going. Yes, it’s true. That Bunny might have been a little annoying, but the message was clear. Energy is important and you never want to run out of it. So what about energy in the business world? How important is energy to an organization’s success? The truth is it’s vital.Energy Breeds SuccessHave you ever worked for a company that was low on energy? Going to work was probably a drag. There is
Beware of Cryptocurrency Frauds
Does it seem like a new cryptocurrency is born each day? Digital coins are popping up continuously, with each hoping to be the next Bitcoin. While most cryptocurrencies will likely never reach the value of Bitcoin, some of them have no intention to. That’s because scammers are becoming more prevalent all the time in the cryptocurrency market.If you haven’t been paying attention, several agencies are starting to sound alarms. According to recent reports, The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading