On October 9, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service published additional guidance clarifying the requirements for participation in the Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures. (See prior coverage of the new procedures announced in June 2014 here.) Here are links to the new guidance published on the IRS website:
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Updated general description of Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures here;
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Updated instructions for taxpayers residing in the United States here;
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Frequently asked questions for domestic taxpayers here;
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Updated instructions for taxpayers residing outside the United States here;
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Frequently asked questions for taxpayers residing outside the United States here.
The IRS also released frequently asked questions for the Delinquent International Information Return Submission Procedures (available here). In a notable change, the IRS now states that these procedures are available to taxpayers even if they have unreported income:
The Delinquent International Information Return Submission Procedures clarify how taxpayers may file delinquent international information returns in cases where there was reasonable cause for the delinquency. Taxpayers who have unreported income or unpaid tax are not precluded from filing delinquent international information returns. Unlike the procedures described in OVDP FAQ 18, penalties may be imposed under the Delinquent International Information Return Submission Procedures if the Service does not accept the explanation of reasonable cause. The longstanding authorities regarding what constitutes reasonable cause continue to apply, and existing procedures concerning establishing reasonable cause, including requirements to provide a statement of facts made under the penalties of perjury, continue to apply. See, for example, Treas. Reg. § 1.6038-2(k)(3), Treas. Reg. § 1.6038A-4(b), and Treas. Reg. § 301.6679-1(a)(3).
We will analyze this guidance and provide further analysis in future posts.
