I have written about the travails, self-imposed, of Robert T. Brockman and Robert F. Smith. See Private Equity Guru Smith Got a Hell of a Deal (Federal Tax Crimes 10/23/20), here, and One Big Fish Indicted and Lesser Big Fish Achieves NPA for Cooperation (Federal Tax Crimes 10/16/20), here. I offer another installment today, focusing […]
Tag: FBAR Willful Penalty
In United States v. Horowitz, ___ F.3d ___, 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 33074 (4th Cir. 2020), here, the Fourth Circuit held that the taxpayer, who joined OVDP and opted out, was subject to the willful FBAR penalty. On the issues presented, the Court held: The Court applied the expansive definition of willfulness that has taken […]
In United States v. Horowitz, ___ F.3d ___, 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 33074 (4th Cir. 2020), here, the Fourth Circuit held that the taxpayer, who joined OVDP and opted out, was subject to the willful FBAR penalty. On the issues presented, the Court held: The Court applied the expansive definition of willfulness that has taken […]
I just picked up this provision in the IRM, here: 5.8.4.24.2 (09-24-2020) Foreign Bank and Financial Reporting (FBAR) Assessments An offer may be submitted which includes FBAR assessments or a taxpayer who submitted an offer to compromise their tax liabilities also has assessments based on FBAR. Since, the IRS does not have authority to compromise […]
In United States v. Toth, 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 169173 (D. Mass. 2020), CL here, the Court granted the Government’s motion for summary judgment that Toth was liable for the FBAR civil willful penalty. The holdings break no new ground, so I just list the holdings: 1. The maximum penalty is the greater 50% of […]
In United States v. Bernstein, 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 167278 (E.D. N.Y. 2020), CL here, the Court granted the Government’s motion for summary judgment determining that the defendants, husband and wife (“Bernsteins”), were each subject to the willful FBAR penalty. Those interested in the motions (and commotions) can find it in the Court Listener docket […]
In United States v. DeMauro (D. N.H. Dkt. 17-cv-640-JL Order and Verdict After Bench Trial dtd. 8/28/20), CL here, the Court sustained the FBAR willful penalty but rejected the fraudulent failure to file penalty. In both cases, in broad strokes the conduct penalized is the same. If that statement is correct, the difference in outcome […]
This is a fascinating report of a tax investigation in process against two very prominent billionaires, Robert Brockman and David Smith. David Voreacos & Neil Weinberg, Billionaire Robert Smith Fighting U.S. Criminal Tax Inquiry (1) (BloombergLaw 8/21/20), here. This is an ongoing investigation, so charges may never be brought and, if they are, the shape […]
In United States v. de Forrest (D. Nev. Dkt. # 2:17-cv-03048 Dkt entry 52, Order dated 5/31/20), here (with docket entries here), the court denied the Government’s motion for summary judgment in an FBAR willful penalty collection suit. I don’t think the Order offers anything material to the discussion of FBAR willful penalty matters, except […]
In United States v. Schwarzbaum (S.D. Fla. Dkt 18-cv-81147 Order Dtd 5/18/20), here, following through on its earlier opinion holding the calculation of willful FBAR penalties to be arbitrary and capricious, the Court recalculated the willful FBAR penalties. The recalculation resulted in a reduction of the willful penalty for 2007-2009 from $13,729,591.00 to $12,907,952.00, resulting […]