During a state visit by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore and the United States announced they were negotiating a reciprocal Model 1 IGA.  The countries had previously entered into a nonreciprocal Model 1 IGA in 2014 that went into effect on March 28, 2015.  Unless Congress enacts legislation providing for greater collection of information from U.S. financial institutions, the reciprocal agreement will provide for limited exchange of information regarding Singapore residents who maintain accounts with U.S. financial institutions.  The obligations of Singapore financial institutions would be unchanged.  As part of the effort, the countries are negotiating the terms of a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA), and continue to discuss whether an income tax treaty should be negotiated.  According to the statement, the countries hope to complete negotiations on the TIEA and reciprocal IGA by the end of 2017.

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Photo of S. Michael Chittenden S. Michael Chittenden

Michael Chittenden practices in the areas of tax and employee benefits with a focus on the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), information reporting (e.g., Forms 1095, 1096, 1098, 1099, W-2, 1042, and 1042-S) and withholding, payroll taxes, and fringe benefits. Michael advises…

Michael Chittenden practices in the areas of tax and employee benefits with a focus on the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), information reporting (e.g., Forms 1095, 1096, 1098, 1099, W-2, 1042, and 1042-S) and withholding, payroll taxes, and fringe benefits. Michael advises companies on their obligations under FATCA and assists in the development of comprehensive FATCA and Chapter 3 (nonresident alien reporting and withholding) compliance programs.

Michael advises large employers on their employment tax obligations, including the special FICA and FUTA rules for nonqualified deferred compensation, the successor employer rules, the voluntary correction of employment tax mistakes, and the abatement of late deposit and information reporting penalties. In addition, he has also advised large insurance companies and employers on the Affordable Care Act reporting requirements in Sections 6055 and 6056, and advised clients on the application of section 6050W (Form 1099-K reporting), including its application to third-party payment networks.

Michael counsels clients on mobile workforce issues including state income tax withholding for mobile employees and expatriate and inpatriate taxation and reporting.

Michael is a frequent commentator on information withholding, payroll taxes, and fringe benefits and regularly gives presentations on the compliance burdens for companies.