Mel Whitney
- Non-resident taxation
- Real estate taxation
- Tax optimization
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Humboldt State University
Articles
FBAR fines explained: Failure to file, violations, and penalty mitigation options
The penalty for failing to report your foreign bank accounts in 2026 could cost more than the accounts themselves. Willful FBAR violation penalties reach up to the greater of $165,353 or 50% of the account balance. FinCEN's latest inflation adjustment and tighter enforcement, along with new court rulings, have made FBAR compliance r...
Form 1040-NR: A comprehensive guide for nonresident aliens
If you're earning income in the US but aren't a tax resident, you'll need to deal with Form 1040-NR. The form can feel like a maze of regulations and unfamiliar terms, but understanding it is necessary for staying compliant. This guide breaks down how Form 1040-NR works, so you can handle your tax obligations accurately and ...
IRS Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures (SFOP): a comprehensive guide for expats
The Internal Revenue Service introduced the streamlined foreign offshore procedures to give Americans abroad a structured way to catch up on missed tax filings without facing severe penalties. Instead of automatic fines, eligib...
Delinquent FBAR submission procedures: How to file late FBARs in 2026
Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedures (DFSP) allow US taxpayers to file overdue foreign account reports without maximum penalties. If you missed FBAR deadlines for accounts exceeding $10,000 aggregate, DFSP provides a compliance path with typically $0 penalties if you have reasonable cause. This guide covers DFSP eligibility, acceptable...
IRS Form 8938: What it is, who needs to file, and why you shouldn’t ignore it
2026 filing season update: Filing your 2025 tax return? Form 8938 requirements remain unchanged for the 2025 tax year. If your specified foreign financial assets exceeded the applicable thresholds at any point in 2...
IRS Form 14654 instructions for SDOP filing: How to certify non-willfulness under the domestic streamlined procedures
In 2014, the IRS changed the course of offshore compliance by launching the Streamlined Domestic Offshore Procedures – a relief path for US residents who had unknowingly failed to report foreign income and accounts. It offered a lifeline to those who made honest errors rather than deliberate omissions, replacing fear of massive penalties wi...