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Offshore account holders who are also U.S. taxpayers have many reporting requirements for those accounts. These offshore accountholders also face significant civil penalties for failing to make these disclosures. If these taxpayers do not avail themselves of the IRS offshore voluntary disclosure programs, they could be in severe financial trouble.

It is perfectly legal for U.S. taxpayers to hold funds in offshore bank accounts, and there can be many advantages to doing so. Whether you are looking for asset protection from litigation or foreign investment opportunities, there are a number valid and perfectly legal reasons for maintaining foreign accounts. Nonetheless, offshore account holders need to be wary of IRS audits of those accounts.

There are few things that strike as much fear in the heart of the U.S. taxpayer as the IRS audit. A taxpayer will want to minimize the financial impact of the audit. In addition, they want to prevent the IRS from finding new items to audit.

When an individual receives notice of an IRS audit, knowledge and planning are the first considerations. Whether the audit is for a person or business, it is important to know the basic steps of an IRS audit. Individuals and businesses should understand why they were selected for an audit. In addition to understanding the myths about IRS audits, individuals must be aware of pitfalls in the audit process. In short, for those audited by the IRS, it is essential to know what to expect.

For U.S. taxpayers faced with unpayable tax debt, an Offer in Compromise may be the best path forward.  Under the Offer in Compromise program, the IRS and taxpayer may agree to settle a tax debt for less than the full amount owed.  This allows the taxpayer to relieve their crushing debt burden, while the IRS is able to collect a portion of the amount owed.