This page of IRS offshore tax forms is meant
to provide helpful information and is for
convenience only. It is for those who are
involved with or are contemplating offshore
banking, offshore company formation, offshore
corporation formation, offshore trust formation
or offshore banking. The law allows for the
ownership and use of an offshore corporation,
offshore company, offshore trust or offshore
bank account. However, there are tax laws
that require compliance and we fully recommend
that if you use these legal tools for asset
protection or other benefits that you also
comply with the tax and other legal codes
in the jurisdictions in which you are obligated.
By and large, US people are taxed on their
worldwide incomes. This is the case even if
one has an offshore merchant account or foreign
bank account or even if the entire business
is conducted overseas. Some believe that taxes
are not due until the money is brought back
to the US. This is not the case in most instances.
Profit generated in an overseas company is
reported even if it is in a foreign account,
whether or not the money is repatriated, meaning
brought back into the US. This is true of
profit generated in a foreign company, when
owned or controlled by US people. This is
referred to as a controlled foreign corporation
(CFC). When a company is owned or controlled
50% or more by US people it is a CFC. When
a US citizen or resident alien owns 10% or
more of a CFC, they generally pay taxes on
the corporate income as if it was generated
in their own names. This is a simple explanation
and there are some additional facets and some
unique calculations, so seek licensed tax
advice. There is no guarantee that the below
IRS offshore tax forms will be the only forms
or the latest forms required. This information
is not to be considered tax advice. For tax
advice, seek the advice of a knowledgeable,
licensed tax advisor who specializes in offshore
tax planning. Most accountants are not familiar
with tax code involving offshore corporations
and offshore bank accounts. So it is important
to seek the counsel of a an experienced CPA
who can work hand-in-hand with your accountant
and who understands foreign legal tools and
tax forms, offshore corporations and trust
tax forms. One such as offshore specialist
is Vernon Jacobs, CPA. Mr. Jacobs specializes
in tax advice for US taxpayers with offshore
interests.
Form 3520
- Must be filed when you create or add to
a foreign grantor trust. Reg. Section 16.3-1(c) stipulates that the Form 3520 should be filed within 90 days of forming or funding a foreign trust. According to the instructions to Form 3520, it is due on the date of the filing of the taxpayer's income tax return -- including any extensions of time to file. So, it may be advisable to file on the earliest of the two dates.
Form
3520-A - Must be filed every year if you
have created a foreign trust. Form 3520-A is due the 15th day of the third month after the end of the trust's tax year. For a trust with a calendar year, the due date is March 15th. The trust can request an extension by submitting Form 2758 by the due date.