If you own or have signature authority over foreign bank accounts totaling more than $10,000 at any point during the year, federal law requires you to file an FBAR. We prepare and e-file FinCEN 114 for a flat $50.
REQUIRED: Criminal Penalties Up to $250,000 and 5 Years in Prison
If you own or have signature authority over foreign bank accounts with an aggregate value exceeding $10,000 at any point during the year, you MUST file an FBAR (FinCEN 114). The Bank Secrecy Act imposes severe penalties for willful non-compliance: up to $250,000 in fines and 5 years imprisonment for criminal violations. Civil penalties for willful violations can reach $100,000 per year or 50% of the account balance, whichever is greater. Even non-willful failures carry penalties of $10,000 per year. File on time — the consequences of non-compliance are severe.
Understanding FinCEN 114 — the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts
The FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) is formally known as FinCEN Form 114. It is filed with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the US Treasury Department — not the IRS. It is a disclosure report, not a tax return. You do not pay taxes through the FBAR; you simply disclose that the accounts exist and provide identifying information about each account.
The purpose of the FBAR is to give the US government visibility into foreign financial accounts held by US persons. Congress enacted these requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act to deter tax evasion and money laundering through offshore accounts.
Important: The $10,000 threshold is an aggregate — meaning if you have three accounts that held $4,000 each at the same time, the aggregate is $12,000 and you are required to file. The threshold applies to the maximum value during the year, not just the year-end balance.
April 15
Original FBAR deadline — same as the individual income tax filing deadline.
October 15
Automatic extension — no extension request required. FinCEN automatically grants all filers a 6-month extension to October 15.
The FBAR is filed electronically through the BSA E-Filing System. Paper FBAR filings are not accepted. We handle all e-filing on your behalf.
US persons with foreign financial accounts exceeding $10,000 aggregate at any point during the year
US citizens and Green Card holders living anywhere in the world must report foreign accounts. Residence abroad does not eliminate the FBAR filing obligation.
US LLCs, corporations, and partnerships with foreign financial accounts must also file FBARs. If your Wyoming or Delaware LLC holds or controls a foreign bank account, the LLC itself may have an FBAR obligation.
Even if you don't own the foreign account, you must file if you have signature authority over it — for example, as an officer, director, or authorized signatory on a foreign corporate account.
The FBAR requirement covers a broad range of foreign financial accounts, including:
Complete FinCEN 114 preparation and e-filing — flat $50/year
We prepare your complete FBAR and e-file it through the BSA E-Filing System. You receive confirmation of acceptance.
A single FBAR filing covers all of your reportable foreign accounts. There is no per-account fee — $50 covers your entire FBAR regardless of how many accounts you have.
We contact you ahead of the April 15 deadline each year so you never miss a filing. We also remind you of the automatic October 15 extension if more time is needed.
If you have unfiled FBARs from prior years, we help you come into compliance through FinCEN's Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedures or the IRS Streamlined Compliance Procedures, which can significantly reduce penalties.
The consequences of non-compliance are severe — do not delay
Maximum fine per violation, plus up to 5 years imprisonment. Criminal prosecution is reserved for egregious cases involving intentional concealment.
Per year, or 50% of the account balance — whichever is greater. The IRS regularly pursues civil willful penalties through the courts and has a strong track record of enforcement.
Per year for non-willful failures — meaning you didn't know about the requirement. Courts have assessed these penalties even in cases of genuine ignorance of the law. Reasonable cause exceptions apply.
If you have unfiled FBARs from prior years, coming forward voluntarily through the IRS Streamlined Compliance Procedures or Delinquent FBAR Submission Procedures can significantly reduce — or in some cases eliminate — penalties. The program requires filing delinquent returns and paying a reduced offshore penalty. The sooner you act, the better the outcome. Contact us to discuss your options.
One flat annual fee — all accounts covered
Per year · All foreign accounts included
Included in the Scale monthly plan
Secure checkout · BSA E-Filing System · All accounts covered
Common questions about FBAR filing obligations
Any "US person" — including US citizens, US residents (Green Card holders and substantial presence test filers), US LLCs, US corporations, and US partnerships — who had a financial interest in or signature authority over foreign financial accounts with an aggregate maximum value exceeding $10,000 at any point during the calendar year. Note: the $10,000 threshold is aggregate across all foreign accounts, not per account. If you hold multiple foreign accounts and their combined peak balance exceeded $10,000, you must file.
A foreign financial account includes any account maintained at a financial institution physically located outside the United States. This includes checking accounts, savings accounts, brokerage accounts, mutual funds, and certain insurance and annuity policies with cash value. It also includes accounts at foreign branches of US banks. Cryptocurrency held on foreign exchanges is an evolving area — proposed regulations would include crypto accounts, and we recommend treating foreign crypto exchange accounts as reportable to be safe.
The FBAR is due on April 15 following the calendar year being reported (e.g., April 15, 2026 for the 2025 calendar year). An automatic 6-month extension to October 15 is granted to all filers — no extension request is needed. Unlike income tax returns, FBARs cannot be extended beyond October 15. The FBAR is filed electronically through the BSA E-Filing System; paper filings are not accepted.
Penalties depend on whether the failure was willful or non-willful. Non-willful violations (where you genuinely didn't know about the requirement) can result in a $10,000 penalty per year of violation. Willful violations can result in a civil penalty of the greater of $100,000 or 50% of the highest account balance per year, plus potential criminal prosecution. If you file late but before being contacted by the IRS and can demonstrate reasonable cause, penalties may be reduced or waived. Coming forward through voluntary disclosure programs is strongly recommended over waiting to be caught.
FBAR (FinCEN 114) and FATCA Form 8938 are two separate reporting requirements that often overlap. The FBAR is filed with FinCEN (Treasury) and covers a broad range of foreign financial accounts. Form 8938 is filed with the IRS as part of your income tax return and covers "specified foreign financial assets" under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. The thresholds differ (FBAR: $10,000 aggregate; Form 8938: $50,000–$600,000 depending on filing status and residency). If you are required to file one, you may well be required to file both. Our FBAR service addresses the FinCEN 114 filing obligation; Form 8938 preparation is included as part of our Form 1040-NR service where applicable.
For $50, we prepare and e-file your FinCEN 114 accurately and on time — covering all your foreign accounts. Order now or book a free call to discuss your situation.