About
U.S. citizens and residents with foreign financial interests must understand and comply with international tax obligations to avoid costly penalties. The U.S. taxes individuals on worldwide income, meaning foreign bank accounts, investment accounts, pension plans, rental properties, and interests in foreign entities must be reported—whether owned directly or held through signature authority. Common reporting forms include FBAR (for foreign accounts exceeding $10,000), Form 8938 (for a broad range of foreign assets), Form 8865 (for foreign partnerships), and Form 5471 (for foreign corporations). Failing to file can result in steep penalties, but options such as amended returns, delinquent FBARs with reasonable cause, or the IRS’s offshore procedures are available for restoring compliance. Non-U.S. individuals with U.S.-based income must also file correctly, and U.S. businesses paying foreign contractors are responsible for tax withholding and filing Form 1042. With complex rules and high stakes, proactive planning and accurate reporting are essential. The Hantzmon Wiebel tax team is available to help navigate these requirements.