The IRS announced that the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) will close on September 28, 2018. U.S. taxpayers with undisclosed foreign financial assets have a limited amount of time to use the OVDP before the program ends.
Background
More than 56,000 taxpayers have used one of the IRS disclosure programs since the OVDP launched in 2009. Those taxpayers have paid a total of $11.1 billion in back taxes, interest and penalties. The number of OVDP disclosures peaked in 2011, when about 18,000 people applied. The number has steadily fallen to only 600 disclosures in 2017. The programs have enabled U.S. taxpayers to voluntarily resolve past noncompliance related to unreported foreign financial assets and failure to file foreign information returns.
Tax Enforcement
The IRS’s plan to end the current OVDP reflects advances in third-party reporting and U.S. taxpayers’ increased awareness of their tax reporting obligations. The IRS will continue to use other tools to combat offshore tax avoidance, including taxpayer education, whistleblower leads, civil examination, and criminal prosecution.
Other Options
Although the OVDP is ending, other IRS compliance programs will remain for now. The Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures will remain available to eligible taxpayers. These procedures are for taxpayers who might not be aware of their filing obligations.
In addition, the IRS will also continue the following programs:
- IRS-Criminal Investigation Voluntary Disclosure Program;
- Delinquent FBAR submission procedures; and
- Delinquent international information return submission procedures.
If you have questions regarding international tax issues, contact an MCB Tax Advisor at 703-218-3600.