Streamlined Offshore Filing Procedures
If you are a U.S. taxpayer who did not report foreign income, accounts, assets, or entities, and the failure was non-willful, the IRS streamlined filing compliance procedures may be a way to come into compliance. A licensed CPA reviews your history and prepares the required submission.
Who These Procedures Are For
The streamlined procedures are intended for qualifying taxpayers whose failure to report was non-willful.
Unreported foreign accounts
Bank or investment accounts abroad that were never reported on an FBAR or Form 8938.
Unreported foreign income
Foreign wages, self-employment, rental, pension, or investment income left off U.S. returns.
Missed international forms
Foreign entities, gifts, or trusts that should have been reported on forms such as 5471, 3520, or 8865.
You want to get current the right way
You would rather come forward correctly than wait for the IRS to make contact.
Domestic and Foreign Procedures
Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures
For taxpayers who meet the non-residency requirement. Where eligibility is met, the offshore penalty is generally waived, though tax and interest apply.
Streamlined Domestic Offshore Procedures
For eligible taxpayers residing in the U.S. A separate miscellaneous offshore penalty generally applies under this procedure.
Eligibility and Non-Willfulness
Eligibility is not automatic and cannot be confirmed before your facts are reviewed. The procedures require that the failure to file was non-willful, and a non-willfulness certification is part of the submission. Where the facts suggest possible willfulness, criminal exposure, or a need for legal privilege, the right step may be a referral to a qualified tax attorney rather than a streamlined submission. We do not treat willfulness casually and do not market these procedures as automatic penalty elimination.
What a Streamlined Submission Involves
Returns and FBARs
Three years of required income-tax returns or amended returns where applicable, and six years of FBARs where applicable.
International forms
Coordination of international information returns and foreign tax credits within the submission.
Certification and assembly
Support with the non-willfulness certification, submission assembly, and post-submission questions or notices within scope.
Streamlined Offshore Pricing
The final fee is confirmed in writing after a review of your facts.
Streamlined Offshore Procedures
The fee depends on whether the domestic or foreign procedure applies, the number of returns and FBARs, the number of accounts, foreign entities, forms such as 3520, 3520-A, 5471, 8865, or 8621, the quality of your records, whether amended returns are needed, and the complexity of the non-willfulness certification.
What is separately scoped
Extensive bookkeeping cleanup, prior-year reconstruction beyond the submission, and matters requiring legal counsel are handled separately. Your written proposal states what is included.
The Process
Review your history
We look at your residency, unfiled or amended years, foreign accounts, and any foreign entities, and assess whether a streamlined submission fits.
Confirm scope and fee
You receive a written scope and flat fee before preparation begins, including whether an attorney referral is appropriate.
Prepare and submit
We prepare the returns, FBARs, and certification, assemble the submission, and support post-submission questions within scope.
Streamlined Filing Questions, Answered
What is the difference between the domestic and foreign procedures?
What does non-willful mean?
How many returns and FBARs are involved?
Can eligibility be confirmed during the free call?
When might an attorney be involved?
Discuss Your Offshore Filing History
Tell us about your residency, the years involved, and your foreign accounts or entities. We will confirm whether it fits our services and the appropriate next step.