Accent on foreign accounts

Description

Abstract: The IRS is offering guidance on how to fill out its annual “Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts,” commonly known as FBAR, as it gears up for 2009 returns. Investigators use FBARs to help identify, or trace, funds used for illicit purposes — or to identify unreported income kept or generated abroad. Teaming up with the U.S. Department of Justice, the agencies say they’re prepared to assess civil and criminal penalties for violations. This article discusses who must file, and when.