In January, the IRS released a list of 13 audit campaigns designed to focus resources on areas of concern for the IRS examination teams. Since that time, additional campaign areas have been added to the list of IRS priorities. Most recently, comments regarding the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program campaign have clarified the focus of this particular initiative. Taxpayers selected for review will include those taxpayers who made an application for pre-clearance into one of the OVDP programs available since 2009, but were denied entry. Historically, a denial occurred if the taxpayer was under civil examination, criminal investigation, or the foreign account activity was already known to the IRS or DOJ Tax Division.
The second prong of the campaign focuses on those taxpayers who withdrew from participation after receiving pre clearance but before acceptance into one of the OVDP programs. Recent clarifications revealed that an "opt out" was not part of the campaign- given the fact that opt-outs or IRS removals made once the taxpayer was accepted into the OVDP, receive almost immediate civil examinations as part of the on-going OVDP procedure.
"While we have represented taxpayers who were denied entrance into the OVDP programs over the past eight years, a renewed focus on those individuals raises the stakes for this class of taxpayer," said Jim Mastracchio, Chair of Dentons U.S. Tax Controversy Practice. Under the campaign audit process, taxpayers will be evaluated as (i) subsequently compliant, (ii) requiring soft-letters for immaterial noncompliance, or (iii) regular examination process. "It is the latter group of taxpayers with the most exposure to civil and possible criminal referral," added Mastracchio.
We will provide additional information as this particular campaign progresses. Questions regarding the OVDP process, Streamline program, or litigation of FBAR penalties can be forwarded to James.Mastracchio@Dentons.com, (202) 496-7251.
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