IRS Extends Certain FBAR Filing Deadlines to June 30, 2010
With limited exceptions, each U.S. person with either a financial interest in or signature (or comparable) authority over one or more foreign financial accounts is required to report that relationship annually to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on U.S. Treasury Form TD F 90-22.1, "Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts" (FBAR). Recently, there has been significant controversy related to the FBAR filing requirements for (i) persons with signature authority over, but no financial interest in, a foreign financial account, and (ii) persons with a financial interest in, or signature authority over, a foreign commingled fund. Previously, the IRS provided an extension of FBAR filing deadlines in certain circumstances to September 23, 2009. (See also our June 19 alert relating to the FBAR.)
IRS Notice 2009-62, released earlier today, extends until June 30, 2010 the FBAR filing deadlines for the 2008 and earlier calendar years for (i) persons with signature authority over, but no financial interest in, a foreign financial account, and (ii) persons with a financial interest in, or signature authority over, a foreign commingled fund. Notice 2009-62 also indicates that the U.S. Department of the Treasury intends to issue regulations clarifying the FBAR filing requirements as applicable to persons in both of the foregoing categories, and solicits comments related thereto.
We are continuing to review Notice 2009-62 and related authority in order to provide detailed guidance for particular client situations. If you would like to discuss Notice 2009-62 or other issues concerning FBAR filings, please contact your usual Ropes & Gray lawyer.
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