No, Form 8938 and FBAR do not need to “match,” but they must both be accurate and consistent with your actual accounts. They have different thresholds, different reporting rules, and sometimes requir...
See more...
No, Form 8938 and FBAR do not need to “match,” but they must both be accurate and consistent with your actual accounts. They have different thresholds, different reporting rules, and sometimes require reporting different details, so it’s normal for the two forms not to look identical.
FBAR (FinCEN 114): Required if all your foreign accounts combined exceed $10,000 USD at any time during the year. Your RRSPs, LIRA, and foreign pension all count as foreign financial accounts.
Form 8938 (FATCA): Required only if your total foreign financial assets exceed much higher thresholds. Those requirements are:
Single/Married Separately: Total assets >$50,000 on the last day of the year or >$75,000 at any time during the year
Married Filing Jointly: Total assets >$100,000 on the last day of the year or >$150,000 at any time during the year.
Living Abroad (Expats):
Single/Married Separately: Total assets >$200,000 on the last day of the year or >$300,000 at any time during the year.
Married Filing Jointly: Total assets >$400,000 on the last day of the year or >$600,000 at any time during the year.
Summary Checklist
FBAR: List all 4 accounts (Pension, 2 RRSPs, 1 LIRA) on the FinCEN website.
Form 8938: List all 4 accounts again in the detailed sections (Part V/VI).
Part IV: Leave this blank (or "0") regarding these specific accounts, as FBAR is not one of the "Excepted" forms listed.
.