Credit Card Statements Will Have A New Look in February

/PRNewswire/ -- The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, commonly known as the CARD Act, has been signed into law and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has issued a final rule elaborating on some of the CARD Act's requirements.

Even though the implementation deadline for certain CARD Act requirements is not until February 22, 2010, many credit card issuers already have several elements of their CARD Act compliance plan in place. For instance, consumers can expect their February credit card statements to have a new look.

One prominent change to statements is the requirement that consumers be provided with an illustration of how long it will take them to pay off their balance, illustrating paying only the minimum amount due each month versus paying off the debt in three years. This will be a real eye-opener for millions of Americans who will now see each month just how serious their debt obligations are.

Further, the statements will now include contact information for nonprofit counseling agencies that may serve as a resource for sorting though their financial challenges. The Act requires issuers to prominently display a toll-free number where consumers may receive information about accessing credit counseling. Not only will this information help make consumers aware that help is available, but it will add a layer of protection by directing them to government-approved nonprofit counseling agencies for assistance.

As the largest and longest-serving network of community-based nonprofit credit counseling agencies in the nation, it is no surprise that the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) has stepped-up to the plate and enhanced its National Locator Line (NLL) to support the government's new requirements. Through the NFCC NLL consumers will have access to certified counselors in 50 states and Puerto Rico and have the ability to receive assistance in 31 languages.

"The NFCC has always encouraged consumers to deal with their credit problems sooner rather than later. Now, with the help of the government, they will receive contact information on their monthly statements, so they can do just that," said Susan C. Keating, president and CEO of the NFCC. "This is a critically important step particularly since so many American consumers are in serious financial trouble and need help, and is consistent with the NFCC's mission to promote the national agenda for financially responsibly behavior."

Already more than 200 lenders have elected to utilize the NFCC's network to comply with the CARD Act and to assist their customers in need of financial counseling and education. The NFCC's enhanced NLL is operational now, well in advance of the February 22 deadline, allowing those who receive their February statements early in the month the ability to immediately reach out for help.

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IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program for Swiss Bank Accounts to End Sept. 23

The Internal Revenue Service is set to end Sept. 23 its voluntary disclosure program that allows U.S. taxpayers to avoid criminal prosecution if they pay taxes, interest and penalties for the past six years, in addition to a penalty equal to 20 percent of the highest account balance. Although the cost of voluntary disclosure is significant, it is much less than the costs of being pursued, either civilly or criminally, by the U.S. tax authorities.

The voluntary disclosure program was put in place after it was revealed that thousands of wealthy Americans were illegally hiding money in Swiss bank accounts. The activity came to light when a former employee of the Lichtenstein bank, LGT, provided data to the German government in 2008 on foreign accountholders using LGT to evade taxes. Later that summer a former employee of the Swiss bank, UBS, also admitted that UBS was assisting many wealthy Americans in evading taxes by hiding money offshore. Names were released and again the U.S. government was in hot pursuit of tax evaders. The UBS scandal gave rise to a lawsuit where UBS admitted to assisting in tax evasion, paid the U.S. government a $780 million fine, and ultimately agreed to turn over details on U.S. citizens with Swiss accounts at UBS.

To date, the IRS has witnessed an overwhelming response to its voluntary disclosure program. Stephen Ziobrowski, a tax partner in the Boston office of Day Pitney LLP, says: "The voluntary disclosure program has turned into a convenient revenue generator for the IRS. The IRS is able to collect significant past due taxes, interest and penalties without utilizing the resources that would be necessary to pursue these taxpayers on an individual basis." Mr. Ziobrowski added that, "Many clients come to us, unable to sleep at night, due to their fear of being caught by the IRS. Although the costs of voluntary disclosure are significant, clients often consider it a good investment to regain their peace of mind and ensure that their children or grandchildren do not someday inherit their tax problems."

Once the voluntary program ends there is no indication as to whether the IRS will extend the program beyond the current deadline. Daniel L. Gottfried, a tax attorney in the Hartford office of Day Pitney LLP, says, "The only way to resolve these tax compliance problems with a high degree of certainty is to enroll in the voluntary disclosure program, and taxpayers have a limited time to get into the program before the doors close. Affected taxpayers must consult their attorneys immediately in order to meet the Sept. 23 deadline."

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