SECTION 1. PURPOSE

.01 This revenue procedure describes the Internal Revenue Service’s Offshore Voluntary Compliance Initiative for taxpayers that have underreported their United States income tax liability through financial arrangements that in any manner rely on the use of offshore payment cards (including credit, debit, or charge cards) issued by banks in foreign jurisdictions or offshore financial arrangements (including arrangements with foreign banks, financial institutions, corporations, partnerships, trusts, or other entities). This revenue procedure applies to tax years ending after December 31, 1998, and to tax years ending before that date to the extent provided in section 8 of this revenue procedure.

.02 The Service has determined that some taxpayers have used offshore payment cards or offshore financial arrangements to avoid United States income taxes. The Offshore Voluntary Compliance Initiative described in this revenue procedure affords taxpayers that have used these devices an opportunity to avoid certain penalties that would otherwise apply.