Understanding the Comparison Between FBAR and Form 8938 FATCA
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Key takeaways:
- FBAR and Form 8938 have distinct filing thresholds and requirements; misunderstanding them can result in costly penalties.
- FBAR is concerned with foreign accounts, while Form 8938 covers a broader range of foreign financial assets.
- Staying informed and consulting tax professionals is crucial for compliance.
Table of contents:
- Why the Comparison Between FBAR and Form 8938 Matters
- FBAR: What Is It, Who Files, and Why?
- Understanding Form 8938 (FATCA): What Sets It Apart
- FBAR vs. Form 8938 (FATCA): Clarity in Comparison
- Addressing Common Questions: FBAR vs. FATCA Form 8938
- Practical Takeaways & Actionable Advice
- How Our Tax Consulting Expertise Helps You
- Don’t Let Foreign Account Reporting Derail Your Success—Contact Us Today
Why the Comparison Between FBAR and Form 8938 Matters
Both FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) and Form 8938 (FATCA’s Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) require U.S. taxpayers to report foreign assets, but the details differ significantly. Failing to recognize these distinctions—or assuming they’re interchangeable—can lead to costly mistakes.
FBAR: What Is It, Who Files, and Why?
Overview of the FBAR Requirement
The FBAR, or Foreign Bank Account Report, refers to FinCEN Form 114, which must be filed by “U.S. persons” who have a financial interest in or signature authority over one or more foreign financial accounts with an aggregate value exceeding $10,000 at any point during the calendar year.
Key facts:
- Threshold: $10,000 aggregate at any time during the calendar year.
- Deadline: April 15 annually, with an automatic extension to October 15.
- How to file: Electronically, via the BSA E-Filing System (FinCEN).
Understanding Form 8938 (FATCA): What Sets It Apart
What Is Form 8938?
Form 8938, formally named “Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets,” was born out of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) of 2010. Its purpose: further closing the offshore tax gap by requiring additional disclosure of foreign assets directly to the IRS.
Key facts:
- Thresholds vary: Based on filing status and residency.
- Deadline: Due with your annual tax return (Form 1040), including extensions.
- How to file: Attach Form 8938 to your income tax return and file both with the IRS.
FBAR vs. Form 8938 (FATCA): Clarity in Comparison
Let’s break down their similarities and differences with easy-to-follow tables and practical scenarios:
Thresholds and Coverage
| Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets | FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who must file? | Specified individuals and specified domestic entities that have an interest in specified foreign financial assets and meet the reporting threshold
|
U.S. persons, which include U.S. citizens, resident aliens, trusts, estates, and domestic entities that have an interest in foreign financial accounts and meet the reporting threshold |
| Does the United States include U.S. territories? | No | Yes, resident aliens of U.S territories and U.S. territory entities are subject to FBAR reporting |
| Reporting threshold (total value of assets) | Specified individuals living in the US:
Specified individuals living outside the US:
Specified domestic entities: The total value of assets was more than $50,000 on the last day of the tax year, or more than $75,000 at any time during the tax year. |
The aggregate value of financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. This is a cumulative balance, meaning if you have 2 accounts with a combined account balance greater than $10,000 at any one time, both accounts would have to be reported. |
| When do you have an interest in an account or asset? | If any income, gains, losses, deductions, credits, gross proceeds, or distributions from holding or disposing of the account or asset are or would be required to be reported, included, or otherwise reflected on your income tax return | Financial interest: you are the owner of record or holder of legal title; the owner of record or holder of legal title is your agent or representative; you have a sufficient interest in the entity that is the owner of record or holder of legal title.
Signature authority: You have the authority to control the disposition of the assets in the account by direct communication with the financial institution maintaining the account. See instructions for further details. |
| What is reported? | Maximum value of specified foreign financial assets, which include financial accounts with foreign financial institutions and certain other foreign non-account investment assets | The maximum value of financial accounts maintained by a financial institution physically located in a foreign country |
| How are maximum account or asset values determined and reported? | Fair market value in U.S. dollars in accordance with the Form 8938 instructions for each account and asset reported
Convert to U.S. dollars using the end of the taxable year exchange rate and report in U.S. dollars. |
Use periodic account statements to determine the maximum value in the currency of the account.
Convert to U.S. dollars using the end of the calendar year exchange rate and report in U.S. dollars. |
| When due? | Form is attached to your annual return and due on the date of that return, including any applicable extensions | Received by April 15 (6-month automatic extension to Oct 15) |
| Where to file? | File with the income tax return pursuant to instructions for filing the return. | File electronically through FinCENs BSA E-Filing System. The FBAR is not filed with a federal tax return. |
| Penalties | Up to $10,000 for failure to disclose and an additional $10,000 for each 30 days of non-filing after IRS notice of a failure to disclose, for a potential maximum penalty of $60,000; criminal penalties may also apply | Civil monetary penalties are adjusted annually for inflation. For civil penalty assessment before Aug 1, 2016, if non-willful, up to $10,000; if willful, up to the greater of $100,000 or 50 percent of account balances; criminal penalties may also apply |
Types of foreign assets and whether they are reportable
| Types of foreign assets | Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets | FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Financial (deposit and custodial) accounts held at foreign financial institutions | Yes | Yes |
| Financial account held at a foreign branch of a U.S. financial institution | No | Yes |
| Financial account held at a U.S. branch of a foreign financial institution | No | No |
| Foreign financial account for which you have signature authority | No, unless you otherwise have an interest in the account as described above | Yes, subject to exceptions |
| Foreign stock or securities held in a financial account at a foreign financial institution | The account itself is subject to reporting, but the contents of the account do not have to be separately reported | The account itself is subject to reporting, but the contents of the account do not have to be separately reported |
| Foreign stock or securities not held in a financial account | Yes | No |
| Foreign partnership interests | Yes | No |
| Indirect interests in foreign financial assets through an entity | No | Yes, if sufficient ownership or beneficial interest (i.e., a greater than 50 percent interest) in the entity. See instructions for further details. |
| Foreign mutual funds | Yes | Yes |
| Domestic mutual fund investing in foreign stocks and securities | No | No |
| Foreign accounts and foreign non-account investment assets held by foreign or domestic grantor trust for which you are the grantor | Yes, as to both foreign accounts and foreign non-account investment assets | Yes, as to foreign accounts |
| Foreign-issued life insurance or annuity contract with a cash-value | Yes | Yes |
| Foreign hedge funds and foreign private equity funds | Yes | No |
| Foreign real estate held directly | No | No |
| Foreign real estate held through a foreign entity | No, but the foreign entity itself is a specified foreign financial asset, and its maximum value includes the value of the real estate | No |
| Foreign currency held directly | No | No |
| Precious Metals held directly | No | No |
| Personal property, held directly, such as art, antiques, jewelry, cars and other collectibles | No | No |
| ‘Social Security’- type program benefits provided by a foreign government | No | No |
A key difference: FBAR is only about foreign accounts, while Form 8938 requires disclosing a much wider range of foreign financial assets, including non-account holdings.
Addressing Common Questions: FBAR vs. FATCA Form 8938
Q1. If I file FBAR, do I need to file Form 8938?
Answer: Maybe. The forms are independent.
Practical Takeaways & Actionable Advice
To protect yourself and your business:
- Gather all foreign asset data early.
- Track account values and asset holdings.
- Seek professional tax advice.
How Our Tax Consulting Expertise Helps You
Comprehensive international disclosure analysis, tax filings assistance, and more.
Don’t Let Foreign Account Reporting Derail Your Success—Contact Us Today
Confused about FBAR or Form 8938? Contact us directly to get started with confidence.