IRS Reminds You To Report Virtual Currency Transactions
On March 23, 2018, the IRS issued IR-2018-71, reminding taxpayers that they must report income from virtual currency transactions on their income tax returns. The IRS defined virtual currency as “a digital representation of value that functions in the same manner as a country’s traditional currency.” The IRS emphasized that, as with any other […]
IRS Clarifies New Tax Law Did Not Kill Home Equity Interest Deduction
According to the February 21, 2018, IRS news release, IR-2018-32, there are still circumstances for which interest on home equity loans is still deductible under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The IRS has now clarified that “taxpayers can often still deduct interest on a home equity loan, home equity line of credit […]
End of Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program Imminent
On March 13, 2018, the IRS issued news release, IR-2018-52, announcing that the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) will close on September 28, 2018. The OVDP’s objective has enabled willful US taxpayers with undisclosed foreign assets to become compliant with US tax laws, while simultaneously avoiding substantial statutory civil penalties and virtually eliminating their risk […]
States Poised to Allow Payment of Taxes with Cryptocurrency – Are You Ready?
As cryptocurrency continues to inspire global awareness and dialogue, the news in the US has mostly focused on its regulation as a commodity; however, very recently, states like Arizona and Georgia are on the brink of recognizing Bitcoin, and its kin, as currency–allowing people to pay their tax bill with it. While neither state has […]
Owners of Foreign Companies May Need to Act Soon
U.S. persons who own 10% or more of the shares of a foreign corporation may need to act quickly on a new rule that can require inclusion of all foreign corporate earnings accumulated after 1986. This one-time tax obligation applies to 2017 tax returns with respect to earnings of calendar-year foreign companies. The good news […]
IRS Assembles New Crypto Tax Evaders Unit
The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has assembled a team of elite criminal agents to investigate whether cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Ripple, are being used to evade taxes. Chief of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, Don Fort, revealed in a recent interview the addition of 10 new investigators to the Criminal Investigation […]