belmontboy
05-20 09:52 AM
We are beneficiaries of my husband on a EB3 petition. due to retrogression issue,
i think she fell asleep on keyboard, before she could finish the question :D
i think she fell asleep on keyboard, before she could finish the question :D
chanduv23
11-18 03:11 PM
Dear Members,
One of the IV member recieved a phone call from Ombudsman office and is as follows.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I received a phone call (WOW!) from a sweet lady from CIS Ombudsman's office. I sent letters to his office and in the letter I mentioned my cell #. Anyway she wants a real person who got deniel. I told her that my friend got deniel (IVens are my fried). Anyway, she sent an email too after I asked her to give her info so that my friend can send her his case details. Unfortunately, the email I received shortly after the conversation, looks like general and does not have her ID. Please PM me if you like to hear more about the phone call.
==================
Thank you for your correspondence to the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman).
We greatly appreciate your comments regarding issues concerning the American Competitiveness Act in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 (AC21) processing at the service centers. As we have received several inquiries such as yours, we are currently discussing these issues with USCIS and reviewing their policies and procedures regarding adjudication of these petitions.
If you have evidence of a specific I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status case that you feel was erroneously denied due to USCIS not adhering to AC21 guidelines, we kindly ask that you please immediately forward us a case problem request, including a copy of your denial notice, detailed information as to the reasons for the immediate denial, and, if appropriate, evidence that you have submitted a Motion to Reopen or Reconsider.
Instructions for completing a DHS Form 7001 (case problem) can be found on our website: http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/programs/e...l_0497.shtm#10.
Please submit your case problem and supporting documents via email to cisombudsman@dhs.gov or via facsimile to 202-357-0042 with the subject AC21 Evidence of Immediate Denial.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
CIS Ombudsman
(cmp)
----------------------------------------------------------
The issue is gaining attention. This is the exact time to crack it down. Guys, who have not sent the letters yet, please do now.
With the issue gaining momentum, we will defintely get some relief for AC21 issues. Please do send letters
Great job folks. Not only Ac21 issue, but if there is any other issue, please lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman's office.
One of the IV member recieved a phone call from Ombudsman office and is as follows.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I received a phone call (WOW!) from a sweet lady from CIS Ombudsman's office. I sent letters to his office and in the letter I mentioned my cell #. Anyway she wants a real person who got deniel. I told her that my friend got deniel (IVens are my fried). Anyway, she sent an email too after I asked her to give her info so that my friend can send her his case details. Unfortunately, the email I received shortly after the conversation, looks like general and does not have her ID. Please PM me if you like to hear more about the phone call.
==================
Thank you for your correspondence to the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman).
We greatly appreciate your comments regarding issues concerning the American Competitiveness Act in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 (AC21) processing at the service centers. As we have received several inquiries such as yours, we are currently discussing these issues with USCIS and reviewing their policies and procedures regarding adjudication of these petitions.
If you have evidence of a specific I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status case that you feel was erroneously denied due to USCIS not adhering to AC21 guidelines, we kindly ask that you please immediately forward us a case problem request, including a copy of your denial notice, detailed information as to the reasons for the immediate denial, and, if appropriate, evidence that you have submitted a Motion to Reopen or Reconsider.
Instructions for completing a DHS Form 7001 (case problem) can be found on our website: http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/programs/e...l_0497.shtm#10.
Please submit your case problem and supporting documents via email to cisombudsman@dhs.gov or via facsimile to 202-357-0042 with the subject AC21 Evidence of Immediate Denial.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
CIS Ombudsman
(cmp)
----------------------------------------------------------
The issue is gaining attention. This is the exact time to crack it down. Guys, who have not sent the letters yet, please do now.
With the issue gaining momentum, we will defintely get some relief for AC21 issues. Please do send letters
Great job folks. Not only Ac21 issue, but if there is any other issue, please lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman's office.
smudunuri
08-07 03:16 PM
The Story Thus far:
Though I am not an immi guru ( I never knew what was LUD till I started checking this site), but check this site for regular updates, so wanted to share news with others who eagerly waiting for approvals in Aug.
I -485 RD: 08/11/07 LUD: 08/03/09 AD: 08/03/09 - Self
I-485 RD: 08/11/07 LUD: 08/03/09 AD: 08/03/09 - spouse
Aug 3: Card Production Ordered email received
Aug 6: Approval Notice Sent email received
Aug 7: Approval Notice Sent received in mail
AP RD: 08/09/07 LUD: 01/02/08 AD: 01/02/08 - Self
AP RD: 08/09/07 LUD: 01/03/08 AD: 01/04/08 - spouse
PD: 03/13/03
I-140 2 (EB2) AD: 05/06/09
EB2 - India / MI / NSC
Though I am not an immi guru ( I never knew what was LUD till I started checking this site), but check this site for regular updates, so wanted to share news with others who eagerly waiting for approvals in Aug.
I -485 RD: 08/11/07 LUD: 08/03/09 AD: 08/03/09 - Self
I-485 RD: 08/11/07 LUD: 08/03/09 AD: 08/03/09 - spouse
Aug 3: Card Production Ordered email received
Aug 6: Approval Notice Sent email received
Aug 7: Approval Notice Sent received in mail
AP RD: 08/09/07 LUD: 01/02/08 AD: 01/02/08 - Self
AP RD: 08/09/07 LUD: 01/03/08 AD: 01/04/08 - spouse
PD: 03/13/03
I-140 2 (EB2) AD: 05/06/09
EB2 - India / MI / NSC
mohit7ul
07-12 09:51 PM
Hi
My wife is on H4 and is planning to convert to F1 before joining graduate school to get scholarship. At same time my PERM is filed and once approved i was planning to use cross chargebility to file under my wife country of birth quota (UAE). i wanted to know following
a) if she applied for conversion for F1 today, can she get scholarship before she gets ssn or she has to wait till she gets ssn
B) If during her F1 processing time or grauate studies on F1, if my PERM gets approved, can i file for I-140 and I485 using cross chargebility with her being on F1 or i would have to wait for her to conert to H4? If there any risk to our green card processing
C)If she continues on H4 visa, can she still get scholarship? if not once she graduates would she be in special US master degree quota for H1B?
Any help on these would be great
Thanks
My wife is on H4 and is planning to convert to F1 before joining graduate school to get scholarship. At same time my PERM is filed and once approved i was planning to use cross chargebility to file under my wife country of birth quota (UAE). i wanted to know following
a) if she applied for conversion for F1 today, can she get scholarship before she gets ssn or she has to wait till she gets ssn
B) If during her F1 processing time or grauate studies on F1, if my PERM gets approved, can i file for I-140 and I485 using cross chargebility with her being on F1 or i would have to wait for her to conert to H4? If there any risk to our green card processing
C)If she continues on H4 visa, can she still get scholarship? if not once she graduates would she be in special US master degree quota for H1B?
Any help on these would be great
Thanks
more...
dsneyog
01-02 05:36 PM
how long it took for your EAD approval?
thanksI e-filed my AP and did not send any documents and just received an RFE requesting 2 photographs(write alien number with pencil in the back) and a preferably color photocopy of a photo ID.
So, please make sure that you send those supporting documents with the e file receipt to USCIS. They give out the address and instructions at the end of the application which are easy to follow.
Nevertheless, I e Filed EAD too and did not send any supporting documents and they approved it without issuing any RFE. They used an older picture from my previous EAD.
My 2 paise!!!
thanksI e-filed my AP and did not send any documents and just received an RFE requesting 2 photographs(write alien number with pencil in the back) and a preferably color photocopy of a photo ID.
So, please make sure that you send those supporting documents with the e file receipt to USCIS. They give out the address and instructions at the end of the application which are easy to follow.
Nevertheless, I e Filed EAD too and did not send any supporting documents and they approved it without issuing any RFE. They used an older picture from my previous EAD.
My 2 paise!!!
ronhira
05-15 10:37 PM
startup visa is all smoke & mirrors..... this is another way for rich people to make more money..... how will startup visa create entrepreneurship? just as h1/j1/l1 exploit foreign works..... this is just another way for rich people to start new ventures exploiting the ideas of foreigners..... immigrants will not become this so called "entrepreneur"..... the bill is designed such that only 170 "registered" venture capitalist could exploit immigrants...... if immigrants want to start their own companies, using funding from anywhere other than those "registered" 170 venture capitalist.... then those immigrants will not qualify for this "startup visa" the next generation greatest idea on the planet.... to exploit more immigrants keeping them in probationary limbo state......
if anyone in america actually care for entrepreneurship.... they ought to give green cards to people who are already here.... who already understand the system... people who already have their own savings & ideas.... & people who are willing to take risk in starting their own businesses, which will create more jobs.....
creating system in which rich people will become richer is not "boost" entrepreneurship.... rather this is another way to trap & kill innovative ideas/minds.... startup visa is the most horrible of all the ideas..... this subject is like a hidden enemy of all immigrants waiting in the backlog ..... is anything like this would pass..... the congress will tell everyone that entrepreneurship related immigration issues are all fixed.... it will be hailed as the biggest victory of american capitalism & congress will forget @ those stuck in the backlogs..... the reality will be that is just another way for those 170 venture capitalist to rake more....
some reporters write these articles with no knowledge of the subject.... & with little or no research of their own....
if anyone in america actually care for entrepreneurship.... they ought to give green cards to people who are already here.... who already understand the system... people who already have their own savings & ideas.... & people who are willing to take risk in starting their own businesses, which will create more jobs.....
creating system in which rich people will become richer is not "boost" entrepreneurship.... rather this is another way to trap & kill innovative ideas/minds.... startup visa is the most horrible of all the ideas..... this subject is like a hidden enemy of all immigrants waiting in the backlog ..... is anything like this would pass..... the congress will tell everyone that entrepreneurship related immigration issues are all fixed.... it will be hailed as the biggest victory of american capitalism & congress will forget @ those stuck in the backlogs..... the reality will be that is just another way for those 170 venture capitalist to rake more....
some reporters write these articles with no knowledge of the subject.... & with little or no research of their own....
more...
eb3_nepa
02-12 10:46 AM
Hi,
I am from the Philadelphia region. I should be able to apply for my I-140 in a week or so. Does anyone know approximately how long it would take me if I applied the NON-Premium way?
Thanks
I am from the Philadelphia region. I should be able to apply for my I-140 in a week or so. Does anyone know approximately how long it would take me if I applied the NON-Premium way?
Thanks
smiledentist
06-21 11:16 AM
anyone
more...
jpreston
December 31st, 2004, 11:11 AM
Great shot. I like the second one with the red accent a little better. As far as spending money for studio equipment, take a look at Alien Bees studio lights. They are a subsidiary of White-Lightning and really work great. Reasonably priced, too. I think their web site is www.alienbees.com (http://www.alienbees.com)
sreedhar
10-26 11:10 AM
July 2nd filer, checks cashed on 10/16, still online status not available.
My Checks Cashed on 10/10...Still Not available on USCIS online System.
My Checks Cashed on 10/10...Still Not available on USCIS online System.
more...
InTheMoment
08-13 07:52 PM
Infopass IIO's are not the best in terms of reliability of their statements ...or actually opinions !
Most of them refer not the Feb 08 memo (180 day +) but the one that has given the timeline for Name Check backlog elimination !
see this one:
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showpost.php?p=276078&postcount=10
Most of them refer not the Feb 08 memo (180 day +) but the one that has given the timeline for Name Check backlog elimination !
see this one:
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showpost.php?p=276078&postcount=10
Aah_GC
05-05 04:59 PM
Wow that's a relief. I know you might have already done so just confirm the date until when the I-94 is issued and make a copy just in case.
Good suggestion :). Will definitely act on that ASAP!
Good suggestion :). Will definitely act on that ASAP!
more...
kart2007
01-17 10:34 AM
All the metros are crowded in India. Bangalore & Pune have more IT opportunities and have good schools.
I second that. Pune has great education and not as crowded as Bangalore, but you can't go wrong with either place.
I second that. Pune has great education and not as crowded as Bangalore, but you can't go wrong with either place.
paskal
12-18 05:56 PM
bumping this back up
MN members, please post here and join us
we have only 9 people so far
there are surely more of us
MN members, please post here and join us
we have only 9 people so far
there are surely more of us
more...
sundarpn
08-19 05:50 PM
Can that flyer / poster be made available to other here?
I was thinkining of posting it in indian stores etc...
I was thinkining of posting it in indian stores etc...
dilbert_cal
02-09 02:01 AM
I have a question to concerning my employment status. My manager recently told me that I should look out for a new job within company or outside. I am assuming he is saying that a layoff is looming out for me. I am currently on H-1B/EAD and my wife is also working on EAD.
I can inquire about the prsopects of getting leave of absence which will help me in getting through the immigration process since my priority date is Feb. 18,2005 EB2 India. So I am almost there.
But I am not sure what happens if there is a RFE asking for paystubs.In that case I may not be able to produce paystubs from my company since I am on LOA. And not from any other company since I have an H-1B, I cannot be working for any other company also.
So which is better, LOA or termination of job? Hard choice..
I doubt you will be allowed to take LOA. The company still has obligations on you when you take LOA - like employee insurance, medical premium, etc. How big the company is also matters. If the company is small and you have the right connections, this may possibly work but I doubt so still.
Your best bet will be to look for another job and take the AC21 route.
I can inquire about the prsopects of getting leave of absence which will help me in getting through the immigration process since my priority date is Feb. 18,2005 EB2 India. So I am almost there.
But I am not sure what happens if there is a RFE asking for paystubs.In that case I may not be able to produce paystubs from my company since I am on LOA. And not from any other company since I have an H-1B, I cannot be working for any other company also.
So which is better, LOA or termination of job? Hard choice..
I doubt you will be allowed to take LOA. The company still has obligations on you when you take LOA - like employee insurance, medical premium, etc. How big the company is also matters. If the company is small and you have the right connections, this may possibly work but I doubt so still.
Your best bet will be to look for another job and take the AC21 route.
more...
NikNikon
February 14th, 2005, 04:41 PM
I have a D70 as well, the lens I bought first was a 70-300mm Nikon AF G lens. It's not very expensive if your looking for something affordable and has a longer reach than the kit lens that comes with the D70. I do notice a better clarity with the 18-70mm, if you have the money and need the higher quality you may want something better. I also wanted to get the SB800 as well but decided on the SB600 so I could afford the zoom lens. Some camera stores will let you rent a lens, this is a good way to find out if you want to actually buy it. I did this recently with a 500mm manual focus and determined to wait when I could afford something with a AF.
crazyAbtUS
11-24 02:23 PM
Hi All
I have a question regarding visitors visa, my parents got multiple Entry 10 years visa in 2007, but have not visited me so far, but this december my Mom is visitng me and in Feb my father( as to avoid harsh winter weather in East Coast), they will leave back in May 2009.
My Question is will there be any issue as their visa was issued in 2007 but they are visiting now
Do I need to send any new documents( I have moved onto EAD )
Looking forward to hear suggestions.
Hi .. a quick personal experience with a similar scenario.. My Mom visited after 3 yrs of travel visa issual.. at the port of entry the imm officer asked her for the intent of visit and also asked how long she intended to stay..no other questions
I have a question regarding visitors visa, my parents got multiple Entry 10 years visa in 2007, but have not visited me so far, but this december my Mom is visitng me and in Feb my father( as to avoid harsh winter weather in East Coast), they will leave back in May 2009.
My Question is will there be any issue as their visa was issued in 2007 but they are visiting now
Do I need to send any new documents( I have moved onto EAD )
Looking forward to hear suggestions.
Hi .. a quick personal experience with a similar scenario.. My Mom visited after 3 yrs of travel visa issual.. at the port of entry the imm officer asked her for the intent of visit and also asked how long she intended to stay..no other questions
saint_2010
09-17 04:41 PM
although some of us could not make it to DC...we do acknowledge your's and other members of IV's efforts in making this rally a success in progress....
virtual55
04-26 06:55 PM
All,
I want to make sure we acknowledge every contribution our members make, monetary and in terms of ideas.
As I said in the main thread (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showpost.php?p=9780&postcount=33) it was posts on the forum by virtual55, jkays94 and cpolisetti that set the WaPo ball rolling.
Thank you to them and every member who does his or her part in big and small ways.
best,
Berkeleybee
Berkeleybee : I take your acknowledgement, but still think I am contributing very less when compared to what core team is contributing.
I am working for Freedom to legal immigrants in US.
I want to make sure we acknowledge every contribution our members make, monetary and in terms of ideas.
As I said in the main thread (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showpost.php?p=9780&postcount=33) it was posts on the forum by virtual55, jkays94 and cpolisetti that set the WaPo ball rolling.
Thank you to them and every member who does his or her part in big and small ways.
best,
Berkeleybee
Berkeleybee : I take your acknowledgement, but still think I am contributing very less when compared to what core team is contributing.
I am working for Freedom to legal immigrants in US.
soarin3655
04-08 02:41 PM
US taxman gets after Indian-Americans - The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/news/US-taxman-gets-after-Indian-Americans/articleshow/7915510.cms)
US taxman gets after Indian-Americans
Chidanand Rajghatta, TNN | Apr 8, 2011, 09.40pm IST
On Thursday, the US govt filed a petition with the court to allow the IRS to serve what is known as a "John Doe" summons on HSBC Bank.
WASHINGTON: When you do a good deed, get a receipt, just in case heaven is like the IRS, goes the sagely tax advice in America. Some 9000 Indian-Americans are about to discover that tales of the dreaded Internal Revenue Service's omnipresence are not entirely exaggerated.
While millions of Americans are sweating it out to file their tax returns before the April 15 deadline, Uncle Sam's taxman has zeroed in wealthy Indian-Americans suspected of using their native land to stash away undeclared money and evade taxes. Yes; while India has long believed its wealthy has stashed away money abroad, the wheel has turned a full circle. The US now says its Indian-American citizens are using India as a tax haven.
In a surprising move that takes the American hunt for hidden money beyond the usual Swiss and Caribbean tax havens, the US Justice Department's civil tax division on Thursday asked a Federal Court's permission to force the London-based HSBC Bank to disclose names of thousands of wealthy Indian-American clients who it says maintain accounts with more than $ 100,000 in the bank's India branches -- ostensibly to hide it from the IRS taxman.
In a 47-page statement filed before a San Francisco court, the IRS said there were 9,000 US residents of Indian-origin who had $100,000-minimum-balance accounts at HSBC India but that fewer than 1,400 had disclosed existence of their accounts. US laws require citizens to disclose any foreign account containing $10,000 or more.
The US hunt for Indian-American tax evaders follows a case early this year when federal prosecutors nailed Vaibhav Dahake, a US citizen and an HSBC client for tax evasion by stashing money in India. According to documents filed with the government's petition, on Jan. 26, 2011, a grand jury in Newark, New Jersey, indicted Dahake, charging him with conspiracy to defraud the United States by using undeclared accounts in the British Virgin Islands and at HSBC India.
According to those documents, employees of HSBC Holdings plc and its affiliates operating in the United States assured Dahake that accounts maintained in India would not be reported to the IRS.
US authorities, attributing the information to HSBC's website, say that in 2002 HSBC India opened a "representative office" at an HSBC USA office in New York City to enable ''Non-Resident Indians'' (NRIs) living in the United States to open accounts in India. In 2007, HSBC India allegedly opened a second representative office at an HSBC USA office in Fremont, Calif., purportedly "to make banking transactions more convenient for the NRI community based in California." Although HSBC India closed those offices in June 2010, the government alleges that NRI clients may still access their accounts at HSBC India from the United States.
According to the petition documents, NRI clients have told IRS investigators that HSBC's NRI representatives in the United States assured them that they could invest in accounts at HSBC India without paying US income tax on interest earned on the accounts and that HSBC would not report the income earned on the HSBC India accounts to the IRS.
"The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that all US taxpayers meet their obligations to declare and pay taxes on foreign bank accounts," John A. DiCicco, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Tax Division, said in a statement. "The ability to hide accounts in foreign countries is rapidly dwindling. We will continue working hand-in-hand with the IRS to enforce the tax laws against those who are using offshore accounts � wherever they are located � to evade taxes."
The IRS focus on India and Indian-Americans follows a campaign against undeclared offshore accounts held by US taxpayers, primarily in tax havens such as Switzerland and the Caribbean. In a landmark case in 2009, the IRS went after UBS AG for allowing U.S citizens hide their assets and evade taxes. UBS coughed up $780 million in fines, and more importantly, turned over some 4000 names in a precedent-setting case.
"The IRS continues to focus its attention on international tax evasion," IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman said on Thrusday about the HSBC India case. ''This summons request is focused on obtaining more information to help us determine if additional actions are needed. As I've said all along, our international efforts are not about just one country or one bank � it's about our wider effort to ensure compliance with the nation's tax laws."
Meanwhile, an HSBC spokesperson in New York told wire services that the bank has been engaged in a "constructive dialogue" with US authorities and hoped the issue can be resolved expeditiously. "HSBC does not condone tax evasion and fully supports the US efforts to promote appropriate payment of taxes by US taxpayers," spokeswoman Juanita Gutierrez said, adding that the bank complies with the law in all the jurisdictions and cooperates with requests from US authorities.
US taxman gets after Indian-Americans
Chidanand Rajghatta, TNN | Apr 8, 2011, 09.40pm IST
On Thursday, the US govt filed a petition with the court to allow the IRS to serve what is known as a "John Doe" summons on HSBC Bank.
WASHINGTON: When you do a good deed, get a receipt, just in case heaven is like the IRS, goes the sagely tax advice in America. Some 9000 Indian-Americans are about to discover that tales of the dreaded Internal Revenue Service's omnipresence are not entirely exaggerated.
While millions of Americans are sweating it out to file their tax returns before the April 15 deadline, Uncle Sam's taxman has zeroed in wealthy Indian-Americans suspected of using their native land to stash away undeclared money and evade taxes. Yes; while India has long believed its wealthy has stashed away money abroad, the wheel has turned a full circle. The US now says its Indian-American citizens are using India as a tax haven.
In a surprising move that takes the American hunt for hidden money beyond the usual Swiss and Caribbean tax havens, the US Justice Department's civil tax division on Thursday asked a Federal Court's permission to force the London-based HSBC Bank to disclose names of thousands of wealthy Indian-American clients who it says maintain accounts with more than $ 100,000 in the bank's India branches -- ostensibly to hide it from the IRS taxman.
In a 47-page statement filed before a San Francisco court, the IRS said there were 9,000 US residents of Indian-origin who had $100,000-minimum-balance accounts at HSBC India but that fewer than 1,400 had disclosed existence of their accounts. US laws require citizens to disclose any foreign account containing $10,000 or more.
The US hunt for Indian-American tax evaders follows a case early this year when federal prosecutors nailed Vaibhav Dahake, a US citizen and an HSBC client for tax evasion by stashing money in India. According to documents filed with the government's petition, on Jan. 26, 2011, a grand jury in Newark, New Jersey, indicted Dahake, charging him with conspiracy to defraud the United States by using undeclared accounts in the British Virgin Islands and at HSBC India.
According to those documents, employees of HSBC Holdings plc and its affiliates operating in the United States assured Dahake that accounts maintained in India would not be reported to the IRS.
US authorities, attributing the information to HSBC's website, say that in 2002 HSBC India opened a "representative office" at an HSBC USA office in New York City to enable ''Non-Resident Indians'' (NRIs) living in the United States to open accounts in India. In 2007, HSBC India allegedly opened a second representative office at an HSBC USA office in Fremont, Calif., purportedly "to make banking transactions more convenient for the NRI community based in California." Although HSBC India closed those offices in June 2010, the government alleges that NRI clients may still access their accounts at HSBC India from the United States.
According to the petition documents, NRI clients have told IRS investigators that HSBC's NRI representatives in the United States assured them that they could invest in accounts at HSBC India without paying US income tax on interest earned on the accounts and that HSBC would not report the income earned on the HSBC India accounts to the IRS.
"The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that all US taxpayers meet their obligations to declare and pay taxes on foreign bank accounts," John A. DiCicco, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Tax Division, said in a statement. "The ability to hide accounts in foreign countries is rapidly dwindling. We will continue working hand-in-hand with the IRS to enforce the tax laws against those who are using offshore accounts � wherever they are located � to evade taxes."
The IRS focus on India and Indian-Americans follows a campaign against undeclared offshore accounts held by US taxpayers, primarily in tax havens such as Switzerland and the Caribbean. In a landmark case in 2009, the IRS went after UBS AG for allowing U.S citizens hide their assets and evade taxes. UBS coughed up $780 million in fines, and more importantly, turned over some 4000 names in a precedent-setting case.
"The IRS continues to focus its attention on international tax evasion," IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman said on Thrusday about the HSBC India case. ''This summons request is focused on obtaining more information to help us determine if additional actions are needed. As I've said all along, our international efforts are not about just one country or one bank � it's about our wider effort to ensure compliance with the nation's tax laws."
Meanwhile, an HSBC spokesperson in New York told wire services that the bank has been engaged in a "constructive dialogue" with US authorities and hoped the issue can be resolved expeditiously. "HSBC does not condone tax evasion and fully supports the US efforts to promote appropriate payment of taxes by US taxpayers," spokeswoman Juanita Gutierrez said, adding that the bank complies with the law in all the jurisdictions and cooperates with requests from US authorities.
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