Foreign Asset Solutions

Form 8938 Basics

Everything you need to know about foreign asset reporting to avoid problems.

Top 10 Form 8938 Mistakes

There are many common errors in Form 8938 reporting that can be avoided.

Correcting Common Form 8938 Errors

The US government has 5 solutions to correct Form 8938 errors.

Frequently Asked Form 8938 Questions

Frequently asked questions about Form 8938 and filing.

Meet Mr. Patel

Mr. Patel’s expertise is in all stages of tax controversies including international tax law, foreign bank accounts and disclosures, tax audit defense, and tax appeals. Mr. Patel has counseled over 1000 voluntary tax matters for assets before the US Internal Revenue Service.

Mr. Patel is a graduate of Georgetown (J.D.) and New York University (LL.M tax) law schools, which are the top 2 tax law schools in the United States. Mr. Patel is a Board Certified Tax Law Attorney, Board Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist, Board Certified Elder Law Attorney, and frequent speaker on legal issues affecting tax, offshore tax planning, and estate planning.

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About Us

Patel Law Offices’ goal is to achieve our clients’ objectives in the most creative, responsive, and cost-effective manner.

Our International Tax Attorney team represents clients nationwide and globally in IRS offshore and voluntary disclosure solutions.  We have counseled clients in over 1000 voluntary disclosure matters and are one of the most experienced IRS offshore and voluntary disclosure law firms.

Each case is led by Mr. Patel, who is a Board Certified Tax Law Lawyer. Our International Tax Attorney team concentrates in IRS offshore and voluntary disclosure solutions for undisclosed accounts, assets and investments including Streamlined Domestic Offshore Procedures (SDOP), Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures (SFOP), Voluntary Disclosure Practice (VDP), Delinquent International Information Return Submission Procedure (DIIRSP), Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedure (DFSP).

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Rahul Sharma ★★★★★

Parag provided both professional and personal advice in a super timely manner. Would definitely recommend and work with again in the future.

Janet Knoth ★★★★★

Parag is very knowledgeable and professional. He responded quickly to questions and for scheduling appointments. We have had documents prepared for our business as well as estate planning for our family. I highly recommend his services, his guidance was very beneficial to our family both legally and financially.
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Latest Blog Posts

Trump and Harris Tax Plans: A Concise Comparison


With the upcoming elections, client advisors are likely to receive questions from clients about the tax implications of the Trump and Harris tax plans. Here is a concise comparison to help clients understand key differences and plan accordingly. 1. Income Tax Rates: 2. Capital Gains: 3. Estate and Gift Tax: 4.…

Parag Patel Esq. presents NJCPA Seminar “2024 Federal Tax Update and Latest Tax Controversy Hot Topics”


Parag Patel Esq. will be a featured speaker at a New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) Seminar entitled “2024 Federal Tax Update and Latest Tax Controversy Hot Topics” on October 18, 2024. The seminar was 3 hours long and covered numerous important topics including IRS criminal tax enforcement init…

IRS Form 3520: How to sign and file the form


We have counseled many clients with the IRS Form 3520 filings this year, which were due October 15, the extended due date. One common question that arose is how to sign and file the form. Under the latest IRS guidance, Form 3520 (Annual Return to Report Transactions with Foreign Trusts an…

New IRS Website for New Immigrants to the United States: Key Tax Responsibilities


For new immigrants to the United States, understanding your tax obligations is essential for a smooth transition into the American system. The IRS has recently provided a detailed resource to guide new immigrants through the tax responsibilities they must navigate upon arrival. Below is an overview of the key aspects …

Common Problems Solved

Streamlined Domestic Offshore Procedures (SDOP)

The Streamlined Domestic Offshore Procedures is one of the two popular programs available under the IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures. It is for U.S. Resident Taxpayers who originally filed income tax returns, but were non-willful in not reporting foreign accounts, investments or income, who can use Form 14654 Certification by U.S. Person Residing in the U.S. to become compliant. This limited tax amnesty solution for U.S. resident taxpayers holding noncompliant foreign accounts has a reduced single year 5% offshore penalty. Our legal team has advised and prepared hundreds of Streamlined cases with the IRS.

Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures (SFOP)

The Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures is one of the two popular programs available under the IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures. Applicants need not have filed original tax returns, but they must be non-willful in not reporting foreign accounts, investments or income, via Form 14653 Certification by U.S. Person Residing Outside of the U.S. to become compliant. This limited tax amnesty solution for U.S. non-resident taxpayers holding noncompliant foreign accounts has a 0% penalty. Our legal team has advised and prepared hundreds of Streamlined cases with the IRS.

Delinquent International Informational Return Submission Procedures (DIIRSP)

The DIIRSP is one of the four methods for taxpayers with unreported offshore accounts to become compliant. Taxpayers who have failed to file certain international-related information returns including Forms 5471, 8938, 3520, 8865, 926, 5472, an 8858 can use the DIIRSP to cure the non-compliance. No penalties are applied if there is reasonable cause for the failure to file the information form and the IRS agrees. Reasonable Cause is a fact specific submission, which is based on each applicant's facts and circumstances.

Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedure (DFSP)

The FBAR is the FinCEN Form 114, which is commonly misunderstood. A delinquent or late FBAR is subject to very high penalties. The DFSP is one of the four methods for taxpayers with unreported offshore accounts to become compliant. Taxpayers who have failed to an FBAR can use the DFSP to cure the non-compliance. While there is no DFSP penalty the DFSP has complex rigid eligibility requirements. Our legal team mitigates foreign account FBAR mistakes for clients around the globe.

Form 8938 Penalties

A delinquent or late Form 8938 Statement of Foreign Financial Assets is subject to many common mistakes and high penalties. Our legal team cures many common Form 8938 errors for clients around the globe.

Form 5471 Penalties

U.S. owners and investors of certain foreign corporations must file a Form 5471, otherwise there are very high Form 5471 Penalties. Form 5471 is a complex form with many common mistakes. because of the expansive disclosure of corporation's assets, liabilities and equity. Our legal team can help you fix late or unfiled Form 5471 errors.

Malta Pension Plan Problems

Malta Pension Plans have been criminally and civilly investigated by the IRS and are on the IRS "dirty dozen" list. Recently in late 2021, the United States and Malta entered an agreement regarding Malta pension rollovers. We have assisted dozens of taxpayers with compliance and solutions with Malta Pension Plan problems.

Form 3520 Penalties

U.S. persons connected to foreign trusts or US recipients of foreign gifts must file a Form 3520, otherwise there are very high Form 3520 penalties. Form 3520 is a complex form with many common mistakes. Our legal team can help you fix late or unfiled Form 3520 errors.




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