During the multi-year build-up to FATCA,¹ the primary focus was on entity classification and registration, and less attention was paid to the compliance obligations of U.S. and non-U.S. entities affected by FATCA. Withholding and information reporting responsibilities under FATCA were generally known, but with the numerous deadline postponements and references to yet-to-be enacted local law, many affected entities took a wait-and-see approach to FATCA compliance.

FATCA officially became effective on July 1, 2014, and registration deadlines came and went at the end of 2014, ushering in the era of FATCA withholding and information reporting. In recent months, the IRS has opened its information reporting portal and non-U.S. jurisdictions heavily affected by FATCA (e.g., Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands) have issued official guidance to implement FATCA compliance for financial institutions in their respective jurisdictions.

Now that the focus has shifted from self-assessment and registration to compliance, and in light of the developing law and infrastructure, entities with FATCA compliance obligations (and those who manage such entities) must remain aware of such obligations. The following list outlines upcoming FATCA compliance deadlines in 2015:

Deadlines for Cayman and BVI Financial Institutions

• April 30, 2015: Cayman Islands Registration Deadline
  Each Reporting Cayman Islands Financial Institution² must register electronically with, and provide certain information to, the Cayman Islands Department for International Tax Cooperation (the “DITC”).³
• May 31, 2015: Cayman Islands 2014 FATCA Reporting Deadline
  Each Reporting Cayman Islands Financial Institution must file a 2014 information return with the DITC.⁴
• Before June 30, 2015: BVI Registration Deadline
  Each Reporting BVI Financial Institution⁵ that is required to file a 2014 FATCA report must register with the BVI Financial Account Reporting System,⁶ and such registration must be approved by the BVI International Tax Authority, before such Reporting BVI Financial Institution can submit its 2014 report (which must be done by June 30, 2015, see below).
• June 30, 2015: BVI 2014 FATCA Reporting Deadline
  Each Reporting BVI Financial Institution with reportable accounts must file a 2014 information return with the BVI International Tax Authority.⁷

Deadlines for Reporting Financial Institutions in Model 1 Jurisdictions (other than Cayman/BVI)

• May 31/June 30, 2015: 2014 FATCA Reporting Deadline
  In general, Reporting Financial Institutions in other Model 1 jurisdictions must file any required 2014 FATCA reports with the relevant taxing authorities by one of these dates. Presently, there are almost 100 “Model 1” jurisdictions, so care must be taken to comply with the relevant local requirements (including registration requirements), to the extent such requirements are applicable to a particular entity.

Other 2015 Deadlines

• June 30, 2015: Due Diligence Deadline – High-Value Individual Accounts
  Model 1 and Model 2 Reporting Financial Institutions, and non-IGA Participating Foreign Financial Institutions⁸ must (1) complete a review of their electronic and paper files with respect to individuals who held accounts/were investors on June 30, 2014 and whose account balance/investment value exceeded $1 million at that time, or at the end of 2014, and (2) properly document such individuals to determine whether they are U.S. or non-U.S. persons.
• December 31, 2015: Sponsored Entity Registration Deadline
  Any foreign financial institution that is a sponsored entity (i.e., that relies on the GIIN of its sponsoring entity) must register with the IRS and obtain its own GIIN.