FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) announced that it will be providing FBAR relief to victims of recent natural disasters. This means that FBAR filers affected by recent natural disasters have until December 31, 2021 to file. According to FinCEN, victims of Hurricane Ida, the California Wildfires, Tennessee Severe Storm and Flooding, Michigan Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, and Tropical Storm Fred have until December 31, 2021, to file Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBARs) for the 2020
calendar year.
The FBAR for calendar year 2020 otherwise would be due on or before October 15, 2021. FinCEN is offering this expanded relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as qualifying for individual assistance as a result of Hurricane Ida, the California Wildfires, Tennessee Severe Storm and Flooding,3 Michigan Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes,
and Tropical Storm (the “affected areas”). Should FEMA designate other localities affected by these natural disasters as eligible for individual assistance at a later date, FBAR filers in those additional localities will receive the same filing relief automatically.
In addition, FinCEN will work with any FBAR filer who lives outside the disaster areas but who must consult records located in the affected areas in order to meet the deadline. FBAR filers who live outside the affected areas seeking assistance in meeting their filing obligations (including workers assisting the relief activities who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization), should contact the FinCEN Regulatory Support Section at 800-767-2825 or electronically at frc@fincen.gov.
FBAR relief is part of a coordinated federal response to the damage caused by natural disasters and is based on local damage assessments by FEMA. For information on disaster recovery, visit: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/.