The IRS Counts to Three: Opens up Another OVDI

If you have kids, do you count to three when you want to get a certain behavior out of them?  You know what I’m talking about: “Mikey, take your sister’s phone out of your mouth right now!  Don’t make me come over there!  One . . . Two . . .”  I’m not a big fan of counting to three.  The problem is I don’t know what happens after “three.”  And what if you don’t get the desired conduct?  Do you keep counting?  How high do you count before you dole out the consequence?

Today the IRS announced that it will be offering another Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative (OVDI), this just months after we thought it was over for good.

“It’s unlikely the IRS will offer another program because that would undermine the agency’s credibility. When they say, ‘Now we really mean it,’ it’ll be like the boy who cried ‘wolf.’

~ Scott Michel, Caplin & Drysdale

The first OVDI was back in 2009, then the IRS reopened the program (with slight modifications) in 2011, giving a deadline of September 9th.  This time around there is no filing deadline, at least not one that we’re aware of yet.  The IRS says this time they reserve the right to change the terms at any time, such as when the program ends and what kinds of penalties apply.

I guess the IRS is trying to show it’s still in charge.

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