The IRS Offshore Account Voluntary Disclosure Program (the “Program”) is over.  But that does not mean U.S. taxpayers with undisclosed foreign bank accounts should stay in hiding.  In fact, the relative success of the Program makes it imperative for people with still undisclosed accounts to come forward and make a voluntary disclosure.

Now we know how UBS will determine which U.S. clients to turn over to the IRS.

As anticipated, undisclosed government sources have confirmed that the IRS is extending the deadline for U.S. taxpayers with undisclosed foreign bank accounts to come forward and participate in the special voluntary disclosure settlement initiative.

U.S. authorities have been very busy negotiating agreements with other counties that will make it easier for the U.S. to identify and prosecute U.S. taxpayers hiding money and assets overseas.

The IRS recently reaffirmed its commitment to combating offshore tax evasion by forming a new elite unit of professionals dedicated to investigating and auditing offshore tax evasion by U.S. taxpayers.