The IRS continues to uncover abusive tax-avoidance schemes involving offshore activity. Here are some of the key efforts to get these taxpayers back to paying their fair share.

Offshore Credit Card Program (OCCP) — aimed at identifying tax dodgers that use credit cards issued by offshore banks to hide their income.

Offshore Voluntary Compliance Initiative (OVCI) — an opportunity for users of offshore accounts to come forward and pay back taxes, interest and certain penalties, but avoiding fraud penalties or criminal prosecution. This initiative ran from Jan. 14 to Apr. 15, 2003.

• OVCI Results Update — Feb. 2004
• OVCI and OCCP Results — July 2003
• Initial Results
• States Extend Benefits to OVCI Participants
• Clarifications — Direct Applications, Prior Year Returns, updated FAQs
• Announcement of OVCI

Employee Leasing Arrangements — IRS challenges supposed benefits of deferred compensation arrangements involving offshore leasing companies.

Foreign Bank Account Reports — IRS receives enforcement authority for offshore account reporting; improved compliance is expected.