Reference: FinCEN release dated 16 December 2016.

Public Law 114-41 had moved the annual deadline for reporting foreign financial accounts from June to April 15, with the ability to apply for a six month extension. With this release, FinCEN stated, “FinCEN will grant filers failing to meet the FBAR annual due date of April 15 an automatic extension to October 15 each year.  Accordingly, specific requests for this extension are not required.”

Note that the FBAR filing is IN ADDITION to the IRS Form 8938 that accompanies individual and business tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service.  The two forms have differing filing “triggers,” so be sure to ask if you have any foreign accounts.