FBAR e-filing

I've just registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (I just love the name) for e-filing FBAR. I have a Mac but the system requirements for e-filing indicate that Macs aren't supported (I wasn't aware of this until I registered). I'm not keen on using public PCs to submit financial information and would prefer to continue to file paper returns. Has anyone in a similar situation managed to get an exception for this or must I look forward to a $500 fine next year?

I've never heard of this site.  I don't think it is much of a hassle to report my foreign bank accounts on paper using form TD-F-90 each year.  I enter the info into Turbo Tax which prints out the form for me to send.  One of the rare times I use a postage stamp.

I've filed the paper version for years. Since 1st July 2013, it's become mandatory to file electronically - see http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4261.pdf

I've heard that there's a fine of $500 if paper forms are used. I will be calling the Treasury on Monday to ask what Mac users are supposed to do...

I've filed the paper version for years. Since 1st July 2013, it's become mandatory to file electronically - see http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4261.pdf

I've heard that there's a fine of $500 if paper forms are used. I will be calling the Treasury on Monday to ask what Mac users are supposed to do...

Interesting.  That document you linked says from 1st July 2013 for form TDF 90.  That means we should be electronically filing for the 2013 tax year since I already mailed in the form for 2012 back in March.

Hopefully TurboTax will inform me this coming March that it needs to be done electronically.

Thanks for the heads up.

You have an option.

Treasury has agreed that certain tax advisors who are approved can file the form for you. You must sign a paper allowing them to do so, if I understand it correctly (and I may be wrong).

All you have to do is engage a qualified advisor. No problems.

Hmmmm. Something in the back of my tiny brain feels uncomfortable, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

I have seen posts on other forums where people claim to have filed from a Mac. I believe they somehow managed to download the relevant Microsoft software onto their Mac, and then used it for the filing.

Since registration must be done directly with the Treasury by the owner of the accounts, it will be interesting to see if TurboTax will have a work around, or if it will only direct you to the Treasury site. I assume any registration with TurboTax would not suffice for Treasury purposes??? It will be an interesting year.   

I have seen posts on other forums where people claim to have filed from a Mac. I believe they somehow managed to download the relevant Microsoft software onto their Mac, and then used it for the filing.

Since registration must be done directly with the Treasury by the owner of the accounts, it will be interesting to see if TurboTax will have a work around, or if it will only direct you to the Treasury site. I assume any registration with TurboTax would not suffice for Treasury purposes??? It will be an interesting year.   

Since I now have TT downloaded for the 2013 tax year I just did a test run and it directs you to the IRS website for you to do the reporting yourself.

Questions;

Can you do a joint return using this system?  Because the link says "individual return" and I was wondering if we would now have to each file a return.  In the past, my wife and I have filed a joint paper return.

I looked at the registration process.  There are two steps, the second of which is "download the forms reader."  Am I understanding this correctly?  We need to download software to file?  Why is this so convoluted?

Timing ... I'm going abroad, to England, until mid March.  Can I safely leave this all till late March?  Is the deadline still June, like it was with the good old, simple, paper form?

Questions;

Can you do a joint return using this system?  Because the link says "individual return" and I was wondering if we would now have to each file a return.  In the past, my wife and I have filed a joint paper return.

In all fairness, I'm not sure any advice will be reliable until June. There's a lot of room for improvement and whether it will be improved by June remains to be seen.

Certainly a month ago the site operated by electronic signature, and at that time, it could only accommodate one signature per filing.

I looked at the registration process.  There are two steps, the second of which is "download the forms reader."  Am I understanding this correctly?  We need to download software to file?  Why is this so convoluted?

I will not subscribe to conspiracy theories, and I will not mention NSA. I will not contribute to discussions on what happens with a downloaded back door US Govt. programme that assesses any other financial software the user may be using, and forwards it to some storage facility in Utah which could be accessed, should the need arise. I'm no conspiracy nut!

Timing ... I'm going abroad, to England, until mid March.  Can I safely leave this all till late March?  Is the deadline still June, like it was with the good old, simple, paper form?

The deadline remains the same. As late in June as possible may be the best time to file. There may be improvements to the site by then.

I called the technical helpdesk today (phone: 1-866-346-9478) and was told that it would be possible (as of today) to simply download the FBAR form, complete it, and submit it without having to download any software - apparently using a Mac to do this wouldn't be an issue. (I haven't tried it yet so I don't know if it works.)

It's possible to file a joint FBAR - use FinCEN Form 114a to approve/designate which spouse will sign the report.

It's also possible for a FBAR to be completed and filed by a third party preparer - use FinCEN Form 114a to authorise the third party filing.

Charmaine, thanks for the feedback. That should be a great help to a number of people.

And what happens to folks who are not online themselves and perhaps do not wish to use public computers or do not wish to hire a tax adviser?  Or do not choose to use TurboTax?  It's bad enough requiring all this financial reporting without more hassle.

I did ask them what would happen if a person couldn't e-file - the answer was: "we won't accept paper returns but you can call FinCen at 1-800-949-2732 and we will work with you".

Charmaine,  thank you for raising this and doing all the investigative work for us.

Much appreciated 

You're very welcome