Is your Crypto in a Personal Wallet or in an Exchange?
The answer to the question: “Is your Crypto in a Personal Wallet or in an Exchange?” matters as we have learned that cryptocurrency held in a Crypto Exchange is NOT the same as cryptocurrency held in a Personal Wallet in terms of protection, particularly in the event of bankruptcy. That said, cryptocurrency investors ought to […]
FATCA coming to Digital Assets
The Biden’s Administration’s Fiscal Year 2023 Revenue Proposal includes “Modernize Rules” to address Digital Assets that will require reporting by certain Taxpayers of Foreign Digital Asset Accounts. Tax compliance and enforcement with respect to digital assets has become a growing problem for the US Government given that the digital asset industry is web based, and […]
IRS updates its Voluntary Disclosure Program, and it includes Crypto
The IRS wants to encourage Voluntary Disclosure participation and reduce Taxpayer uncertainty, but its current Voluntary Disclosure Program is not set up for success according to the 2021 National Taxpayer Advocate Annual Report, issued in January 2022. Shortly thereafter, in February 2022, the IRS updated the Program to include crypto reporting, a penalty structure for […]
Beware of FATCA Certifications Being Under OFAC Review
In a quiet news release delivered on 3/23/22, the IRS updated the FATCA FAQ’s (Q. 22) to inform FATCA Stakeholders that a registration status could be changed to under review with a message indicating “For more information contact the Treasury Department Office of Foreign Asset and Control (OFAC). OFAC Sanctions Compliance is now at the […]
“Reciprocal FATCA” Bill will be a Game Changer
Under the concept of “Reciprocal FATCA” financial institutions and brokers ought to start preparing to assume greater and expanded reporting responsibilities. As FATCA Stakeholders, financial institutions, and brokers, such as U.S. digital asset exchanges, need to get ready to share information on an automatic basis with the US Tax partner jurisdictions. The U.S. does not […]
TIGTA Report Sheds Light on the Future of FATCA Enforcement
The TIGTA Report dated April 7, 2022 details six recommendations for additional actions needed to address Non-Filing and Non-Reporting Compliance Under FATCA. The IRS agreed with five out of the six recommendations in the TIGTA Report which signal that FATCA enforcement will increase in terms of collection actions, compliance actions for under reporters, penalty assessments, […]
How Money Received through “Crowdfunding” May be Taxable
IRS may contact the recipients of crowdfunding campaign proceeds if not reported. IRS issues a soft alert to Taxpayers regarding their tax obligations for monies received under crowdfunding activities as well as the benefits of recordkeeping. What is Crowdfunding? It is the activity of raising or soliciting money (contributions) from a large number of people […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
IRS Security Summit Offers Tips on How to Prevent Identity Theft and Tax Fraud
Two-factor Identification is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to prevent tax fraud. As Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs) we suggest many other safeguards to our clients. As Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE) my firm has long helped clients untangle webs of taxpayer, identity and data theft. Now, with data theft rising steeply, the IRS Security […]
What is Backup Withholding Tax and Who Has to Pay It?
When it comes to taxes, mistakes can cost you more than money. That’s especially true with Federal backup withholding taxes. In simplest terms, 24 percent backup withholding is demanded of both payers and payees who either mistakenly or intentionally supply incorrect or incomplete information about 1099 or W2-G income. The IRS requires both businesses and […]
