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).

Reviews

navnit patel ★★★★★

Parag Patel is an excellent tax lawyer. He is a very approachable and answers all questions in detail and in a way that is easy to understand. If you have any offshore tax issues he is the guy you want to talk to. Highly recommended by me and my family.

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

Parag Patel Esq. Speaks at Annual Convention of New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants


Parag Patel Esq. will be a featured speaker at the annual state convention of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) on June 3-6, 2025 in Atlantic City, NJ. The seminar is entitled “2025 Tax Planning Essentials: Strategies for Accountants”. Mr. Patel will discuss effective strategies to recognize and help m…

Parag Patel Esq. speaker at the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) Seminar “2025 Mid-Year Update”


Parag Patel Esq. is a featured speaker at the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) Seminar entitled “2025 Mid-Year Update” on June 10, 2025. Seminar description is below: “2025 Mid-Year Update” This informative seminar explores tax law changes for 2025, equipping tax professionals with practical strategies to manage new compliance requirements and optimize…

Navigating the Puzzle: Understanding Form 8938 Audit Triggers


It’s important to be aware of the caution and risks associated with foreign banks reporting balances to the IRS, particularly in the context of Form 8938 compliance. While Form 8938 audits are very rare, below are important considerations for client advisors to avoid complications: The Role of Foreign Banks in FATCA and Informat…

Navigating Inheritance: The Step-Up in Basis and Recognizing Implied Life Estates After Death


Understanding the Step-Up in Basis Under Internal Revenue Code Section 1014(a), the basis of inherited property is stepped up to its fair market value (FMV) at the time of the decedent’s death. This means that when the heir sells the asset, any appreciation before the decedent’s death escapes capital gains tax. The “step-u…

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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