Mel Whitney
- Non-resident taxation
- Real estate taxation
- Tax optimization
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Humboldt State University
Articles
FBAR penalties in 2026: amounts, violations, and when they are reduced
In 2026 a non-willful FBAR violation can cost up to $16,536 per annual report, and a willful violation up to the greater of $165,353 or 50% of the account balance. Criminal penalties apply only in the most serious cases. Which outcome applies depends on willfulness, whether the income was reported, and whether you act before the IRS contacts you....
FinCEN Form 114: FBAR form filing instructions, who must file, and what to report
FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) is the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts – a disclosure filed separately from your federal income tax return through FinCEN’s BSA E-Filing system, not with the IRS. If the aggregate value of your foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year, you generally must file....
Can foreigners buy property in the US? Complete 2026 guide for non-US citizens
Foreign nationals can legally purchase homes, rental properties, and other real estate in the United States without becoming US citizens or permanent residents. Buying the property is often the straightforward part. The tax consequences – particularly FIRPTA withholding, US rental-income tax, Form 1040-NR reporting, and federal estate tax &...