What is FATCA?
FATCA - The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act - is a piece of legislation introduced by the United States (US) Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
What date does HSBC become FATCA compliant?
HSBC is committed to becoming fully FATCA compliant in all countries where we operate by 1 July 2014.
Is FATCA only applicable to HSBC?
FATCA is a piece of US legislation aimed at all financial institutions and other financial intermediaries globally however their approach to adopting FATCA may differ.
What is FATCA meant to do?
FATCA seeks to prevent US Persons from using non-US accounts and non-US businesses to avoid US taxation on their income and assets.
Under FATCA, what is an Inter-governmental agreement (IGA)?
The Channel Islands and Isle of Man have signed Inter-Government Agreements (IGA). These are ‘Local Tax Authority - US Agreement to Improve International Tax Compliance and to Implement FATCA' with local regulations and guidance notes provided by local Tax Authorities.
This means that HSBC will share information about the accounts and finances of US Persons with the IRS, via the local Tax Authority in the Island where you hold your account and/or policies.
Does FATCA apply to new accounts or just existing customers?
FATCA applies to all HSBC Group customers, new and existing, rather than the type of account and/or policy held.