FATCA is a tax law enacted in the United States (“U.S.”) in March 2010 and will become effective in July 2014. FATCA aims to prevent the non-compliance with U.S. tax obligations by U.S. taxpayers holding foreign financial accounts.
According to the information published by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), FATCA requires foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”) to conduct certain due diligence procedures to identify and report to the IRS information in respect of foreign financial accounts held by (i) U.S. taxpayers; or (ii) foreign entities in which U.S. taxpayers hold a substantial ownership interests. FFIs which do not comply with FATCA will be subject to withholding taxes on certain payments received by them.