I've tried using the online filing for FBAR forms, as the deadline is looming close - but it won't let me submit. It keeps telling me that I need to be logged in, but I am logged in, the document is digitally signed, etc.

Anyone have experience with this?

I Had this problem, the instructions are not obvious.

When you log in, on the left is a menu, part way down is 'Inbox' 'Outbox'. Select Inbox, there should be a message there with your PIN. You sign your FBAR .pdf with the PIN, not your password. I figured this out while on hold for their help desk.

Once I correctly uploaded the signed FBAR, I got a confirmation within a few minutes that it was submitted, then in 5 minutes that it was sent. You can check the status - another option in on the left. it will also send an email confirmation. I kept these as proof of submission.

On an interesting note - I noticed the department for online filing for FBAR is financial crimes department.


Let me know if you still have problems.

Do you guys have the link? I still need to do this....

Me too! Online would save my bacon!

Sheesh, they're definitely not obvious! Terrible system!

I had done as you mentioned originally and just tried again. I have it digitally signed with the PIN they gave me, and when I click on the submit button, I get the following message:

After that, I went back and checked I was logged in my viewing my messages. Tried again, same message. Then I logged off and back on again, tried again, same message. I can't try it in a different browser, as I couldn't even get this far in any browser but IE.

Looks like I might have to call them tomorrow. Joy.

The financial crimes department is the first thing I saw when I got to the website! I was taken aback, but it is telling what they think of us. Guilty before proven innocent. Sigh.

The URL for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network

Well, any website with a 100+ page user guide has usability problems.

Ah, I got a different message - the PIN does not match the account I am logged into.

I did it in IE, I did not try Chrome or Firefox so I cannot vouch for those.

I went back to the saved FBAR .pdf, unsigned the form, signed the form, saved the form, submitted the form. Eventually it worked.

good luck with their help desk, I was on hold for half an hour, got an epiphany with the PIN, tested it, and then hung up on them.

And I won't be able to use this I think, if they allow just one signature. #%^*+=

Jay-sus, is this a load of crap. I'll see if i can file it tomorrow. Can you say Obtuse?

Incredibly obtuse. It made me appreciate how simple and straightforward things are in Switzerland and here in the UK.

An update - I've finally been able to submit the form by trying it at work. Just in time

hi evilshell,

I was about to post my forms by mail today when I saw this. What is the link to the site where I can submit FBAR online?

Thanks,
Kedar

Fifth post in this thread. Click on financial crimes.... Makes you feel good, eh.

Just in case this is a burning question for anyone else, if you are a US person, married to a US person, can you still use the system, the answer is yes! But since both have to sign the form, you each submit your own form, digitally signed. Ta da! The fun of USness.

From here
http://www.fincen.gov/news_room/nr/html/20110717.html

And oh Shit, but the system is all f'd up. I forgot my password and asked for the new one, but it keeps showing me random challenge questions. Oh well, I'll try later, and will just file as soon as it's working again.

I thought I could just scroll through the challenge questions, but nah.... that didn't work either. Account is Locked.

I think I sent my forms to the wrong address (Charlotte instead of Detroit) so need to submit online. About how long did it take to get a user name passed through the system?

When i did it a couple days ago, less than half an hour. Today I realized I needed one for me, and it's been over an hour.

Yep, it needs to go to detroit. I may print it out and DHL it tomorrow if I can't get this fixed today.

Mm yeh - my husband got his in about 20 minutes and I'm still waiting on mine... hmm.

did you guys ever receive your user id?

It took a couple of hours. Yesterday, I went to DHL and mailed the f***er. Won't get there till Tuesday, but too bad. It is 45 chf, but the whole process is a total pile of shit.

Thanks guys...

Now I made a typo on the form - wrote short form of the name of the bank instead of full name. Since deadline still hasn't passed, should I resubmit the form as "new", file amended form or just let it go?