How will FinCEN Implement the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Provisions of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)? They want your input.
FinCEN has been busy in the quest to fight corruption as evidenced by back-to-back issuance of Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs). On 12/6/21, they issued the (Regulatory Process for New Real Estate Sector Reporting Requirements to Curb Illicit Finance) and on 12/7/21, they issued the Proposed Rule for Beneficial Ownership Reporting to Counter Illicit Finance […]
FED OPENS DEBATE ON U.S. DIGITAL CURRENCY
Report Examines Pros and Cons of CBDC The Federal Reserve is considering issuing a Central Bank Digital Coin (CBDC), according to a new report considering the pros and cons of such a move. Issuing this digital currency would be the first type of new money issued by the Fed since the first $10 bill was […]
How the IRS Uses Social Media to Find Crypto Tax Cheats
Does your Twitter, Reddit, Facebook, Instagram or other social media feed feature photos of your new sports car, boat, fabulous vacation or the beach house that you bought with your crypto gains? Do you also report a low income on your taxes? You wouldn’t be alone if you were bragging about your crypto riches on […]
The Tangled Web of Proposed Crypto Regulation
Don’t Expect Coherent Rules to Align Any Time Soon Multiple enforcement agencies within the US government agree that the $2.5 trillion crypto industry needs regulation. And heads of the largest crypto companies have told Congress that they agree. But therein lies the rub: the government has yet to define what crypto is, let alone how […]
OFAC Warns FFIs And Crypto Sector On Ransomware Attacks
Prevention is Key, Sanctions Are Possible for Ransomware Attack During the first half of 2021, 68 different ransomware attacks extracted approximately $600 million from victims across the United States. The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) says that the attacks have become more focused, sophisticated, and costly. It’s not hard to imagine the public […]
Bitcoin’s Limited Supply Increases Its Value. Should You Invest in Cryptocurrency?
Macroeconomic concepts tell us that when supply of a valuable commodity is limited, demand for it will rise, and so will its price. Fiat currencies are backed by governments and central banks and more can be printed at will. Bitcoin, on the other hand, doesn’t have traditional backing and has a fixed supply. This may […]
Why Are Crypto Investors Still Buying?
Danger signs abound Despite its volatile and speculative nature, a single bitcoin is trading at around $61,134 (11/5/21.) Demand is growing exponentially, despite multiple danger signs. For example: The SEC, the U.S. Treasury, the DOJ, OFAC and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) are all getting ready to tighten and restrict the cryptocurrency industry There […]
Lawmakers Propose Crackdown on Money Laundering “Enablers”
Should lawmakers have to follow the same rules as financial institutions? For the first time, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has proposed legislation that would require trust companies, lawyers, accountants, notaries, real estate agents, dealers in precious metals and stones, art dealers, casinos and even public relations firms to investigate foreign clients seeking to […]
What To Do If The IRS Wants to Audit You
Rule #1: Don’t Panic! Under the Biden Administration’s proposed American Families Tax Plan, there is the possibility of more tax audits, but only for a certain groups of high income people. That’s because more information would be reported to the IRS. The proposed Biden Plan could increase that substantially because the IRS would be receiving […]
How Will Virtual Currency Be Taxed?
Non-compliance with virtual currency (crypto) tax rules can cost taxpayers dearly It Depends Who You Ask! Despite the confusing interpretations by US regulators, non-compliance with crypto tax rules can cost taxpayers dearly. Unfortunately, the answer to “how is virtual currency taxed” depends on who you ask. The IRS, The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the […]
How a Forensic Accountant Can Help Attorneys in Tax Fraud Cases
The IRS recently added new categories of tax fraud In its recently updated Fraud Handbook, the IRS adds new categories of tax fraud, including concealing domestic or foreign bank accounts and digital assets such as virtual currency. And they are anxious to prosecute. The level of detail in the Fraud Handbook provides a roadmap for […]
Subprime Market Redux: Will Leverage Be Crypto’s Downfall?
I Predicted the Subprime Lending Bubble’s Collapse. The Signs Are The Same For Cryptocurrency. When I predicted the bursting of the housing market’s subprime lending bubble in 2006, a lot of people called me crazy. And some of the people getting rich in cryptocurrency will say the same when I tell you that the Bitcoin […]
