Foreign Accounts Penalty Case Heads To Supreme Court

Tax filing – and penalties – for foreign accounts may soon be the subject of a major legal decision.

The U.S. Supreme Court plans this fall to hear Bittner v. U.SThis case presents a conflict over statutes under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). The question is whether a “violation” under the BSA is the failure to file an annual FBAR no matter the number of foreign accounts or whether there is a separate violation for each account that isn’t properly reported.

The 1970 BSA initially charged the U.S. Treasury Department with collecting information from U.S. persons who have financial interests in or signature authority over financial accounts maintained with financial institutions outside the U.S. In 2003, the Treasury delegated enforcement to the Internal Revenue Service. Although only willful violations were initially subject to penalty, Congress amended the act in 2004 to include penalties for non-willful violations.

Regulations require filing a single annual FBAR for anyone with an aggregate balance over $10,000 in foreign accounts. The penalty for non-willful violation is up to $10,000.

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It is no secret that accountants make a lot of money. Thousands seek this highly lucrative career every year so that they can build the lifestyle of their choice. The median salary for accountants is approximately $67,000. However, you may be surprised to find out that there are many ways to advance your salary.

Depending on your field and expertise, you can add an extra boost to your bank account. These are some of the best ways to make more in your accounting career. Read More

Hale Stewart

It has never been easier for a U.S. company to sell products or services internationally. But once a company earns international income, it also must content with internal tax consequences. This is made more complicated because of the myriad number of tax statutes implicated by international sales. An Introduction to U.S. International Taxation offers the CPA introduction to the basic rules and structures used in international transactions. The program is broken down into the following sections:

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Hale Stewart

It has never been easier for a U.S. company to sell products or services internationally. But once a company earns international income, it also must content with internal tax consequences. This is made more complicated because of the myriad number of tax statutes implicated by international sales. An Introduction to U.S. International Taxation offers the CPA introduction to the basic rules and structures used in international transactions. The program is broken down into the following sections:

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David Southwell

A prospective client called a few weeks ago to discuss his tax situation. He sold his business in 2016 and was very unhappy with his income tax bill. He asked, “Can you lower my taxes? Did the return preparer calculate my taxes correctly?” After a brief review of his sales contract and the return prepared for him, the answer was clear. The return was prepared correctly. However, wise tax planning when he started his business about ten years ago, or even a few years back, would have saved him a very large sum of money when he sold his business.

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(3-Part Webinar Series – Have Your 2017 Marketing Plan Ready Before Christmas – 12/7, 12/14, and 12/21)

You are invited to join this webinar if you want to build out your entire marketing plan for 2017! Monika Miles will be leading this super smart webinar that will result in your having your 2017 Marketing Plan in place before Christmas.

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Salim Omar

In 1996, feeling unfulfilled and tired of corporate politics and a long commute, Salim left a “cushy” corporate, CFO position with a corner office to fulfill his mission of starting his own CPA firm. He soon found out that this was no easy task, and he struggled with low-paying clients, poor cash flow and a high employee turnover.

After going $100,000 into debt, Salim made it his mission to transform his struggling practice into a highly profitable, 12+ person firm that it is today. Best of all, he works only a few days a week while his practice continues to thrive.

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Salim Omar

In 1996, feeling unfulfilled and tired of corporate politics and a long commute, Salim left a “cushy” corporate, CFO position with a corner office to fulfill his mission of starting his own CPA firm. He soon found out that this was no easy task, and he struggled with low-paying clients, poor cash flow and a high employee turnover.

After going $100,000 into debt, Salim made it his mission to transform his struggling practice into a highly profitable, 12+ person firm that it is today. Best of all, he works only a few days a week while his practice continues to thrive.

Read More

Salim Omar

In 1996, feeling unfulfilled and tired of corporate politics and a long commute, Salim left a “cushy” corporate, CFO position with a corner office to fulfill his mission of starting his own CPA firm. He soon found out that this was no easy task, and he struggled with low-paying clients, poor cash flow and a high employee turnover.

After going $100,000 into debt, Salim made it his mission to transform his struggling practice into a highly profitable, 12+ person firm that it is today. Best of all, he works only a few days a week while his practice continues to thrive.

Read More

Salim Omar

In 1996, feeling unfulfilled and tired of corporate politics and a long commute, Salim left a “cushy” corporate, CFO position with a corner office to fulfill his mission of starting his own CPA firm. He soon found out that this was no easy task, and he struggled with low-paying clients, poor cash flow and a high employee turnover.

After going $100,000 into debt, Salim made it his mission to transform his struggling practice into a highly profitable, 12+ person firm that it is today. Best of all, he works only a few days a week while his practice continues to thrive.

Read More

Salim Omar

Salim Omar’s goal with the “CPA Practice Growth and Freedom” Intensive is to SHOW YOU (side-by-side in the trenches) how to create a CPA Firm that allows you to dramatically increase the income you earn, to work when and how you want, that gets you quality clients you love working with… and that enables you to live a life of massive personal freedom.

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Salim Omar

Salim Omar’s goal with the “CPA Practice Growth and Freedom” Intensive is to SHOW YOU (side-by-side in the trenches) how to create a CPA Firm that allows you to dramatically increase the income you earn, to work when and how you want, that gets you quality clients you love working with… and that enables you to live a life of massive personal freedom.

Read More