FBAR - Will they still accept paper forms?

patti · Post by **patti** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 11:01 am

According to the IRS website, beginning July 1, 2013 only electronic FBARs and mandatory and paper will be accepted:

http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Bus ... nts-(FBAR)

This seems a ridiculous but it does appear to impact individual taxpayers (and not just paid preparers and businesses). Can they really no longer accept paper? If you send in a paper FBAR will they just throw it out and deem you non-compliant?

Of course, without a paper submission, there is no opportunity to include a reasonable cause letter. Of course maybe that's the whole point!?!? Submit electronically after June 30th and receive an automatic "willful" violation penalty?

cnytax · Post by **cnytax** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 12:49 pm

I agree, it does seem to be a bit odd. After all, paper tax returns are still accepted and will probably continue to be in the foreseeable future.

As an aside, I tried to register for online FBAR filing, but couldn't do so because they ask for an Employer Identification Number which I can't supply because I am self-employed. Typical government screwup.

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:11 pm

You should use your SSN then

exPenn · Post by **exPenn** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 10:46 pm

My wife is renouncing her US citizenship next Monday so 2013 will be her last US tax return. (Thanks to previous posts for info on filing a final 1040 and 8854). Is she required to submit an FBAR for her expatriation year? If so, I will be tempted to send in a paper copy next June, regardless of what they say.

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 10:35 am

Yes, she does.

cnytax · Post by **cnytax** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 1:50 pm

I contacted the BSA help desk and they fixed the problem. If you enter a SSN, then EIN no longer required.

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:42 pm

Isn't that what I said?

cnytax · Post by **cnytax** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 2:47 am

Well, the situation before was that if you put only your SSN in, the system still demanded an EIN. As of the day before yesterday, if you just put your SSN in, the demand for an EIN has now been disabled.

cnytax · Post by **cnytax** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 2:49 am

So not necessary to put your SSN in the EIN field.

cnytax · Post by **cnytax** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 3:00 am

Just to clarify, I had been putting in SSN only, but the system asked for an EIN on top of that anyway.

mtnman · Post by **mtnman** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 5:48 pm

I can't e-file because efile does not accept my Canadian postal code. Anybody else have that problem ?