Are you a U.S. taxpayer who is thinking about opening an offshore financial account in a country outside of the United States? If you are, you are definitely not alone. There are ample reasons to open offshore accounts. You may spend time in another country and want to keep some money there; may want to have an overseas account where loved ones live; may want money outside the U.S. due to political or economic issues; or may simply want to diversify your assets so you have funds invested in a different currency in case the purchasing power of the dollar weakens.

A Washington DC tax attorney provides help to taxpayers who are invested offshore and who are concerned about the ongoing crackdown that has affected many foreign financial institutions.

In 2009, the IRS launched a voluntary disclosure program for taxpayers affiliated with the United States who had undeclared offshore investment accounts. The voluntary disclosure program was intended to encourage U.S. affiliated taxpayers to come forward, report their accounts voluntarily and pay a reduced penalty. Taxpayers who came forward would also be protected from criminal prosecution if they were eligible to participate in the voluntary disclosure program.