IRS Reopens Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program

The IRS has reopened the offshore voluntary disclosure program (OVDP) to help people hiding offshore accounts get current with their taxes and announced the collection of more than $4.4 billion so far from the two previous international programs. The newest program is similar to the 2011 program in many ways, but with a few key differences. Unlike the 2011 program, there is no set deadline for people to apply. However, the terms of the program could change at any time going forward. For example, the IRS may increase penalties in the program for all or some taxpayers or defined classes of taxpayers or decide to end the program entirely at any point.

The overall penalty structure for the new program is the same that for the 2011 program, except for taxpayers in the highest penalty category. For the new program, the penalty framework requires individuals to pay a penalty of 27.5 percent of the highest aggregate balance in foreign bank accounts/entities or value of foreign assets during the eight full tax years prior to the disclosure. Some taxpayers will be eligible for 5-percent or 12.5-percent penalties; these remain the same in the new program as in 2011. Participants must file all original and amended tax returns and include payment for back-taxes and interest for up to eight years, as well as paying accuracy-related and/or delinquency penalties. Taxpayers who have come forward to make voluntary disclosures since the 2011 program closed will be treated under the provisions of the new OVDP.

This third offshore effort comes as the IRS announced it has collected $3.4 billion so far from people who participated in the 2009 offshore program, reflecting closures of about 95 percent of the cases from the 2009 program. On top of that, the IRS has collected an additional $1 billion from up-front payments required under the 2011 program. In all, the IRS has seen 33,000 voluntary disclosures from the 2009 and 2011 offshore initiatives.

The IRS recognizes that its success in offshore enforcement and in the disclosure programs has raised awareness related to tax filing obligations, including dual citizens and others who may be delinquent in filing, but owe no U.S. tax. The IRS is currently developing procedures by which these taxpayers may come into compliance with U.S. tax law. The IRS is also committed to educating all taxpayers so that they understand their U.S. tax responsibilities.

More details will be available within the next month. In addition, the IRS will be updating key Frequently Asked Questions and providing additional specifics on the offshore program.

IR-2012-05