Hanover FATCA Lawyer

Hanover, MD FATCA lawyers committed to thorough preparation in every matter we handle.

If you hold financial accounts or assets outside the United States, the federal rules for reporting them carry real consequences when they go unmet. Our Hanover, MD FATCA lawyer helps taxpayers understand what they are required to report and how to correct problems before those problems grow. At Crepeau Mourges, our founding attorneys have spent decades handling federal and state tax matters for individuals, businesses, and estates. We focus on the obligations tied to offshore accounts and foreign holdings. Contact our office to review your situation and the options in front of you.

FATCA Lawyer Hanover, MD

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, known as FATCA, is a federal law that governs how United States taxpayers report certain financial assets held outside the country. A FATCA attorney advises clients on those duties and represents them when the IRS questions a filing or proposes a penalty for a missed one. The work frequently overlaps with foreign bank account reporting and with broader offshore account compliance matters. Our Hanover FATCA lawyers review your foreign accounts, investments, and entity interests, then explain which forms apply to your circumstances. When earlier filings were missed, we evaluate the paths back to compliance and the risk attached to each one. The right choice depends on the details of your accounts and your history.

Types of FATCA Cases We Handle in Hanover

FATCA matters reach well beyond a single form. They touch foreign accounts, investments, business interests, and the disclosures that connect them. We handle the situations below for clients across Hanover and the surrounding area.

• Foreign asset reporting. Taxpayers with specified foreign financial assets may need to report them on Form 8938 with their federal return. We identify which holdings qualify, gather the supporting records, and prepare the disclosures that belong with your filing. Mistakes here often surface during a later review, when they are harder and more costly to fix. Getting the first filing right is usually the least expensive part of the process.
• FBAR. Foreign bank and financial accounts are reported separately through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. We help clients determine when this filing applies and address accounts that were never disclosed. This requirement runs alongside FATCA and is easy to overlook.
• Offshore voluntary disclosure. Taxpayers who fell behind willfully may need a formal disclosure to limit criminal exposure. We assess eligibility, prepare the submission, and manage communication with the government from start to finish.
• Streamlined filing procedures. For lapses that were not willful, the IRS offers a narrower route back into compliance. We evaluate whether your conduct fits the requirements, then assemble the certification and back filings the process demands. The certification statement carries real weight, and we draft it with care.
• Tax audits. Foreign holdings can draw scrutiny of both your returns and your reports. We represent clients during examinations, respond to information requests, and challenge proposed adjustments where the record supports it. An organized response early in an audit often narrows what the IRS pursues.
• Tax fraud. A willful failure to disclose foreign assets can move a matter from civil to criminal. We defend clients accused of intentional concealment and work to keep the exposure contained. The difference between a careless error and a knowing one frequently decides how a case is handled.
• IRS tax. Reporting penalties are frequently contested. We dispute assessments, request abatement where grounds exist, and pursue an appeal when the position taken against you is wrong.
• Business taxes. Owners with foreign subsidiaries, partnerships, or accounts face their own layer of reporting. We advise companies on the disclosures that follow from cross-border ownership and activity.

Why Choose Crepeau Mourges as my FATCA Lawyer in Hanover, MD?

Background in International Tax Matters

Our practice grew out of years spent on tax controversy and planning, and that background shapes how we approach foreign reporting. Brandon N. Mourges earned an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Baltimore in 2010 and concentrates on the financial reporting issues that individuals and businesses face, including foreign accounts and assets. Brian J. Crepeau has handled federal and state tax controversy matters since 2003, representing taxpayers in disputes that often involve offshore holdings. His background includes a degree in accounting, which helps when a case turns on how income and assets were recorded.

Together, our founding attorneys bring more than 40 years of combined experience to these matters. For clients whose needs extend past reporting, we also serve as an international tax planning lawyer in Hanover, MD.

Recognized Maryland Tax Counsel

Mr. Mourges has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and listed on Benchmark Litigation’s “40 and Under Hot List.” He received the J. Ronald Shiff Memorial Pro Bono Award from the Maryland State Bar Association in 2015, and he writes and speaks regularly on tax and compliance topics. Our representative engagements, described on our site, reflect a record built on careful preparation rather than promises. That is the standard we hold ourselves to on every FATCA matter we accept.

Understanding FATCA Cases

Key Reporting Obligations in FATCA Cases

FATCA reporting rests on a few core ideas. Most of them turn on what you own abroad, where it is held, and how it connects to your United States tax return. The reach is broad, covering not only bank accounts but also brokerage holdings, certain insurance products, and ownership stakes in foreign companies. The concepts below come up in nearly every matter we see:

• Specified foreign financial assets, which can include accounts, certain investments, and interests in foreign entities.
• The relationship between FATCA reporting and the separate FBAR filing requirements handled through FinCEN.
• The role of foreign financial institutions, which report account information about their United States account holders.
• The line between willful and non-willful conduct, which shapes both your exposure and your route back to compliance.
• The interaction of these duties with income tax, since unreported offshore assets often produce unreported income as well.

For an overview of how the two main filings differ, the IRS publishes a Form 8938 and FBAR comparison that many taxpayers find helpful.

What Are Important Aspects of a FATCA Case?

A handful of factors tend to drive the direction of a case, and they deserve attention from the very start. Identifying them early often changes the strategy we recommend.

• Whether prior non-compliance was willful or the result of an honest mistake.
• Whether you also have unfiled tax returns from earlier years that need attention.
• The size and number of the foreign accounts and assets involved.
• Whether the IRS has already opened an examination or reached out to you.

Each of these affects which compliance option is realistic and how much risk remains on the table.

What Is the FATCA Case Timeline?

No two matters move at the same pace, but the steps below give a general sense of what the process tends to involve.

• An initial review of your foreign holdings and your past filings.
• Analysis of which reporting requirements were triggered, and when.
• Selection of a disclosure or correction path that fits your facts.
• Preparation and submission of the necessary returns, reports, and certifications.
• Resolution of any penalties, including disputes or tax liens that arise from unpaid amounts.

Some matters close within a few months. Others, particularly those already under examination, take considerably longer to resolve.

What Should You Bring to Your FATCA Consultation?

Bringing the right records helps us assess your situation during the first conversation. The following items make a useful starting point.

• Statements for your foreign bank, brokerage, and investment accounts.
• Copies of prior federal tax returns and any foreign asset filings.
• Records of foreign business interests or entity ownership.
• Any notices or correspondence you have received from the IRS.

You do not need a complete file to begin. We can identify the gaps during the meeting and explain what to gather next. Expect a direct conversation about your obligations, your likely exposure, and the choices available to you.

What Are Important Maryland Legal Resources for FATCA Cases?

FATCA is a federal matter, so the most useful resources come from federal agencies rather than state offices. The links below help taxpayers locate current rules and procedures on their own.

• The IRS explains the law and taxpayer duties on its FATCA overview page.
• Individual filing questions are addressed in the IRS guidance on FATCA reporting for individuals.
• The IRS describes the Form 8938 reporting requirement for specified foreign assets.
• Taxpayers catching up on past years can review the streamlined filing procedures.
• The Treasury Department maintains background on agreements and policy through its published guidance.

These resources are for information only. They are not a substitute for legal advice.

Reach Out to Crepeau Mourges to Schedule a Consultation

When foreign assets and federal reporting are disputed, early advice usually leaves you with more options. Our Hanover FATCA attorneys can review your accounts, explain your obligations, and recommend a path forward. Contact us to schedule a consultation and discuss how we can help with your matter.