Cryptocurrency investors must report all taxable income from mining, sales, and other transactions on their annual tax returns, and they must pay all income taxes that are due. However, these are not the only requirements that exist at the federal level. As New Jersey tax attorney Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group, explains, for cryptocurrency held in offshore accounts, reporting obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) may apply as well.

As we close the books on 2020, Tax Day is suddenly right around the corner once again. While 2020 presented unprecedented challenges for New Jersey residents and businesses, the IRS still expects and demands full compliance, and even unintentional tax mistakes could lead to significant repercussions in 2021. So, as a New Jersey taxpayer, what do you need to know in order to avoid unwanted scrutiny? Here is a look back at 10 of the top articles that New Jersey tax attorney Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group, published in 2020:

If you have foreign bank accounts, or if you own a business that has foreign bank accounts, you may be required to file FinCEN Form 114, Report Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR), with the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network on an annual basis. Here are five important facts about FBAR compliance from New Jersey foreign bank account lawyer Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group:

If you live in New Jersey and you own assets held in foreign countries, you may have compliance obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act. You may also have obligations under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). These are federal laws that impose reporting requirements for U.S. taxpayers who own offshore accounts and other offshore assets; and, while they overlap in coverage to a certain extent, they each impose unique compliance obligations, and many taxpayers must comply with both laws in order to avoid IRS penalties and other consequences. Here, New Jersey international tax attorney Kevin E. Thorn, Managing Partner of Thorn Law Group, explains the key differences between Bank Secrecy Act and FATCA compliance for U.S. taxpayers.

When you fall behind on your federal tax obligations, voluntarily coming into compliance can save you from substantial penalties and the risk of criminal prosecution for federal tax evasion or tax fraud (or both). However, while the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers various “voluntary compliance” options for delinquent taxpayers, these options both (i) offer different benefits, and (ii) are available under different circumstances. As a result, when seeking to come into compliance, you need to make informed decisions, and it is important to rely on the advice of an experienced New Jersey IRS lawyer.