Any U.S. person with a financial interest in, or signature or other authority over, any foreign financial accounts must file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR), subject to conditions. That is, if the aggregate value of the foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year, the individual must file an FBAR by April 15 following the calendar year. Let’s explore more of the pertinent details.
Persons and Accounts
A “U.S. person” is generally a U.S. citizen, including a child. However, he or she may be an individual who’s a resident alien of the United States, District of Columbia, Native American lands (as defined in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act), or the Territories and Insular Possessions of the United States.
Also qualifying as a U.S. person is an entity — including a corporation, partnership, trust or limited liability company — organized or formed under federal law or the law of any state, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories and Insular Possessions, and Native American tribes.
A “foreign financial account” is a financial account located outside the United States. This includes the states themselves as well as the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories and Insular Possessions, and Native American land.
Note: An account maintained with a branch of a U.S. bank that’s physically located outside of the United States is a foreign financial account. An account maintained with a branch of a foreign bank that’s physically located inside of the United States isn’t a foreign financial account.
What Defines Interest
A U.S. person has a financial interest in a foreign financial account if that person is the owner of record or holder of legal title, regardless of whether the account is maintained for the benefit of the U.S. person or another person.
Financial interest may also exist if the owner of record or holder of legal title is one of several listed entities. These include entities controlled by the U.S. person or an agent, nominee, attorney, or someone acting in another capacity on behalf of the U.S. person.
Penalty Amounts
Civil penalties for non-willful violations can exceed $10,000 per violation, adjusted for inflation. For willful violations, civil penalties can range up to the greater of $100,000, adjusted for inflation, or 50% of the amount in the account at the time of the violation. Contact us for more information.
