(973) 507-9760 Paul@wiggmax.com
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  1.           No Asset Too Small.  If the Threshold is reached for the aggregate of all Specified Foreign Financial Assets, all such Specified Foreign Financial Assets must be disclosed, even if the value is less than zero (an asset with a liability greater than its value).

2.         FBAR reporting is not enough.  One of the Specified Foreign Financial Assets is a foreign bank account.  Foreign Bank Accounts are required to be reported on the Report of Foreign Bank Account or FBAR required to be filed by June 30th of each calendar year.  IF a FATCA disclosure must be made, it should include all of the assets reportable on the FBAR in most situations.  Having reported an asset on a current or prior FBAR will not prevent a FATCA penalty for failure to include the asset on the IRS Form 8938.

3.         FBAR assets are included in the Threshold for FATCA disclosure.  A single individual living in the United States with a $50,000 foreign bank account, is required to report a $10 share of stock in a foreign corporation.  Failure to do so could result in a $10,000 penalty.

4.         Jointly owned assets count twice.  Any person who owns a Specified Foreign Financial Asset jointly must report the full value of the asset on his or her Form 8938 and count the full value in determining whether or not the Threshold for disclosure has been crossed.  An exception applies to married individuals filing a joint return, but not if they file married filing separately. A special rule may provide relief if the individuals are considered to be living abroad for FATCA purposes. 

5.         Change in Reporting Canadian Registered Retirement Plans.  Beginning with tax years ending after December 31, 2013, Canadian Registered Retirement Plans must be reported on IRS Form 8938 under FATCA.  Prior to this change, reporting such plans on IRS Form 8891 was sufficient to avoid the FATCA requirement.

Call Paul Wigg-Maxwell – (973) 507-9760 for FTACA compliance advice. Paul is an international tax attorney with over 25 years of experience representing individuals and business with cross-border ties.

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Oded Hecht
23-03-2018
Very good experience. I had some uncommon and large financial situations abroad as a US Citizen. I just wanted to make sure I am going about it legally and wisely. I am a business executive (Harvard B. School), having interacted with many top lawyers worldwide, and working with Paul was a pleasure and a wise choice. Beyond helping me professionally to solidify a winning strategy through his sound knowledge and experience, the interaction was exceptionally forthcoming and pleasant. I would recommend Paul without any hesitation!
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Maria Alexander
04-04-2018
Paul is an excellent attorney for small business owners like myself. He will make the appropriate research and make sure that the documents I have are all in working order and official. Paul always responds to phone my calls immediately, and he works fast whenever I need to have documents prepared quickly. His knowledge has helped me steer my business in the right direction and his advice is always on point and concise. I’ve had the pleasure of using Paul’s services for nearly a decade. During this time I had help with drafting and reviewing the following: several lease contracts, employee contracts, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, new client contract/liability waivers, US copyright electronic registrations, independent contractor agreements, website disclosure language, video release forms, and business registrations with the state. Having Paul as an attorney and being able to reach out to him whenever I have an emergency makes me more confident to run my business and I know that if I have a legal problem Paul will be there to help me.
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mathew gajewski
25-03-2018
Cool guy, extremely nice and knows his stuff.
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Dan Trolaro
16-10-2017
Took the time to listen, ask good questions, and provide good thoughts during initial phone call. Highly recommend giving him a call.
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Bill
07-08-2017
Mr. Wigg-Maxwell helped me out with a complicated international inheritance tax question. He was quick to respond with a knowledgeable answer. I would happily bring any future tax issues I have to Mr. Wigg-Maxwell for resolution.
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