FBARs Must Now Be Filed Electronically

The Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes and Enforcement Network (FinCEN) now requires that all Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBARs) be filed electronically.

The FBAR form is generally required if a U.S. person has a financial interest in, or signature authority over, a foreign bank, securities or a financial account, if the aggregate value of the account exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. It is due on or before June 30 of the year following the calendar year in which the U.S. person is subject to the FBAR filing requirements, unless an express exception applies. The FBAR form is not filed with a federal income tax return. There is no extension of time to file (except where specific relief is available), and extensions of time to file federal tax returns do not extend the time for filing an FBAR form.