FBAR Exchange Rate Calculator
Convert Foreign Account Balances to USD for FinCEN Form 114
Reportable USD Value:
How to Calculate Exchange Rates for FBAR Reporting
If you have a financial interest in or signature authority over foreign financial accounts, you may be required to file FinCEN Form 114, also known as the FBAR (Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts Report). A critical component of this filing is determining the maximum value of your accounts converted into U.S. Dollars (USD).
The FBAR Conversion Formula
According to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) instructions, you must use the Treasury Reporting Rates of Exchange. Unlike some other tax filings that allow for average annual rates, the FBAR requires the year-end rate.
Example Calculation
Suppose you had a Swiss bank account with a maximum balance of 15,000 CHF in 2023. To report this on your FBAR:
- Find the Treasury Reporting Rate for the Swiss Franc as of December 31, 2023 (e.g., 0.841).
- Divide 15,000 by 0.841.
- The result is $17,835.91. This is the amount you enter on Form 114.
Important FBAR Rules to Remember
- Reporting Threshold: You must file an FBAR if the aggregate value of all foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year.
- Which Rate to Use: Use the "Treasury Reporting Rates of Exchange" for the last day of the calendar year. If no Treasury rate is available, you may use another verifiable exchange rate (such as OANDA) but must specify the source.
- Rounding: Values should be reported in USD, usually rounded to the nearest whole dollar, though the calculator provides cents for precision.
- Joint Accounts: If you hold a joint account, you generally report the full maximum value of the account, not just your half.
Where to Find Official Rates
The official rates are published quarterly by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. For FBAR purposes, always look at the December 31st exchange rate for the year you are reporting. If the Treasury does not provide a rate for a specific currency, FinCEN instructions allow the use of other reliable sources, provided the rate is from the last day of the year.