“
FinCEN Report of Foreign Bank and
Financial Accounts (FBAR)
Electronic Filing Requirements
User Guide
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
XML Schema 2.0
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) i
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
FINANCIAL CRIMES ENFORCEMENT NETWORK (FINCEN)
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) ii
0. Revision History
Version
Number
Date
Change Description
1.0
06/23/2017
Initial version
1.1
10/13/2017
Updates include:
Section 3.3 Element Requirements
ActivityAssociation:
o Updated the minOccurs value from “0” to “1”.
o Updated the Element Restrictions to make this a required element.
o Updated the Remarks to reject the submission if this element is not
recorded.
CorrectsAmendsPriorReportIndicator:
o Updated the Element Restrictions to make this a required element.
o Updated the Value Restrictions to allow a null value for this element.
Re-sequenced the ApprovalOfficialSignatureDateText element to be recorded
prior to the EFilingPriorDocumentNumber element.
ThirdPartyPreparerIndicator:
o Updated the following rejection criteria as follows: “The element is
not recorded or does not contain a value, and third party preparer is
not indicated PreparerFilingSignatureIndicator is not recorded with a
“Y” value.”
SignatureAuthorityIndicator:
o Updated element name to the following:
SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator and extended this change throughout
the User Guide.
Section 4. FinCEN FBAR XML Acknowledgement Format
Added the following schema reference to the introductory paragraph: “Please
visit
https://www.fincen.gov/sites/default/files/schema/base/EFL_BatchAcknowled
gementSchema.xsd to access the FinCEN XML 2.0 batch acknowledgement
schema file.”
Removed the “fc2” prefix from all elements in the returned FBAR XML
Acknowledgement file.
EFilingBatchXML:
o Added “StatusCode” to the Attribute(s) and updated the Example to
include the StatusCode attribute and its value (e.g. StatusCode=”A”).
o Updated the SeqNum values associated with the
EFilingActivityErrorXML elements in the Example to correctly show
the value resetting to “1” for each new Activity element.
EFilingSubmissionXML:
o Added “StatusCode” to the Attribute(s) and updated the Example to
include the StatusCode attribute and its value (e.g. StatusCode=”A”).
EFilingActivityErrorXML:
o ErrorContextText: Updated the Description, Value Restriction(s), and
Example to include additional details regarding how the value will
be recorded.
Section 4.2 Acknowledgement XML Example
Updated the Sample to reflect the changes to Section 4 mentioned above.
Attachment A – Error Descriptions
Added Error Code A26 – State code and country code mismatch when U.S.
Territory is recorded.
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Removed Error Code C6 (The element is recorded for an inappropriate party
type) associated with the Part I Filer Information (Type of Filer) because it is a
duplicate of error code A2.
Removed the following error codes from the Transmitter Contact section due
to the fact the Phone Number is not applicable for this section:
o I8 – The value recorded for the element contains non-numeric
characters
o I9 – The element is recorded but without a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Revised the Error Text associated with the following elements to read “The
element is not recorded or but does not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null)”: D8, E8, F8, and G8.
Miscellaneous
Added the section "Secure Data Transfer Mode Filers" to the end of the document.
This section provides information about filing the FBAR XML batch via secure, system
to system file transfer.
1.2
7/31/2018
3.2 Batch Validation (Form & Fit) Overview
Added the following bullet to the list of general schema requirements that all
XML batch files must adhere to:
o Element names must be spelled correctly and in the correct case. Do
NOT included spaces at the beginning or ending of the element
names.
o Element values must not include leading and/or trailing spaces.
o Element values must not include non-printable characters, such as
carriage returns, line feeds, and tabs.
1.3
10/1/2019
FinCEN FBAR XML Batch Reporting Requirements
AccountMaximumValueAmountText
o Removed the following ‘accepted with warning’ validation criteria
from the remarks:
The FBAR contains a single account with a value less than
or equal to $10,000.
The FBAR contains multiple accounts with an aggregated
value less than or equal to $10,000 and “Y” is not reported
in <UnknownMaximumValueIndicator>.
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
o Updated the value restrictions by including 1 (SSN/ITIN) and 9
(Foreign TIN) as acceptable values for the Consolidated Report
Account Owner (44) party type. This is now consistent with the
FinCEN FBAR discrete entry form.
Error Descriptions (Attachment A)
Removed the following error codes as a result of the removal of the “less
than $10,000” criteria (above):
o D5: The FBAR contains a single account and the value is less than or
equal to $10,000.
o D24: The FBAR multiple accounts with an aggregated value less than
or equal to $10,000 and "Y" is not reported in
<UnknownMaximumValueIndicator>.
o E5: The amount recorded is less than or equal to $10,000.
o F5: The amount recorded is less than or equal to $10,000.
o G5: The amount recorded is less than or equal to $10,000.
Electronic Filing Instructions (Attachment C)
Who Must File an FBAR
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o Added the following sentence to the description: “This does not
prohibit filing an FBAR on an aggregated value less than or equal to
$10,000.”
Addresses
o Added the following note to the end of the section text: “NOTE: The
ISO 3166-2 country list contains the code “UM” that stands for the
United State Minor Outlying Islands. Using “UM” in country fields is
prohibited. These islands are uninhabited. As such they have no
addresses.”
Monetary amounts
o Modified the description as follows (underlined for emphasis): “If the
maximum account value of a single account or aggregate of the
maximum account values of multiple accounts exceeds $10,000, an
FBAR must be filed. An FBAR may be filed but is not required to be
filed if the person did not have more than $10,000 of maximum
value or aggregate maximum value in foreign financial accounts at
any time during the calendar year.”
1.4
08/01/2021
Changed Error Code A13 to F60 – “The namespace prefix for the element is invalid.”
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Contents
0. Revision History ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ii
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
2. FinCEN FBAR XML Schema Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................ 1
2.1. File Organization .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
XML declaration (prolog) .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
EFilingBatchXML .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Activity ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
ActivityAssociation .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Party ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Account ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Foreign Account Activity............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Activity Narrative Information .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
3. FinCEN FBAR XML Batch Reporting Requirements .................................................................................................................................................. 4
3.1. Element Definition Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
3.2. Batch Validation (Form & Fit) Overview ........................................................................................................................................................................ 5
3.3. Element Requirements ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
XML declaration/prolog ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
EFilingBatchXML Elements ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Activity Elements ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
ActivityAssociation Elements ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Party Elements (Activity Level) .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Account Elements .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Foreign Account Activity Elements ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 46
Activity Narrative Information Elements ............................................................................................................................................................................... 49
3.4. Party Elements by Party Type .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 50
Activity Level.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 50
Account level ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 54
4. FinCEN FBAR XML Acknowledgement Format ......................................................................................................................................................... 57
4.1. XML File Structure ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 57
XML declaration/prolog .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 57
EFilingBatchXML ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 57
EFilingSubmissionXML ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 58
EFilingActivityXML ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 59
EFilingActivityErrorXML ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 59
4.2. Acknowledgement XML Example .................................................................................................................................................................................. 62
Attachment A – Error Descriptions .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 63
Attachment B – Error Correction Instructions .............................................................................................................................................................................. 79
Attachment C – Electronic Filing Instructions .............................................................................................................................................................................. 80
Secure Data Transfer Mode Filers .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 95
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 1
1. Introduction
The FinCEN XML Schema 2.0 User Guide outlines the business and validation rules to support the electronic batch
transmission of the FinCEN Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FinCEN Report 114 – FBAR). Electronic
filing of this report will be through the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) E‐Filing System operated by the Financial Crimes
Enforcement Network (FinCEN). BSA E-Filing users who intend to file the FinCEN FBAR batch XML should be familiar
with FinCEN regulations, Extensible Markup Language (XML) and the FinCEN XML schemas. For more information,
please go to bsaefiling.fincen.treas.gov.
2. FinCEN FBAR XML Schema Overview
Before you begin submitting your BSA data to FinCEN’s BSA E-Filing System (bsaefiling.fincen.treas.gov) via XML
batch, you must first review the required schemas to assist you with constructing and testing your XML batch file
before submitted to FinCEN for processing. These schemas define the requirements by which the FinCEN FBAR XML
batch file must be constructed, such as which elements must contain an entry, which elements can be omitted when
the data are unknown, what the appropriate values are for certain elements, and what sequence the elements should
appear in when building the batch. Please visit Please visit
https://www.fincen.gov/sites/default/files/schema/base/EFL_FBARXBatchSchema.xsd to access the FinCEN FBAR XML
2.0 schema file.
2.1. File Organization
This section describes the general formatting requirements for FinCEN FBAR XML batch reporting. The diagram below
provides a visual representation of the XML batch file layout from a high level perspective. Detailed element
requirements can be found in Section 3 – FinCEN FBAR XML Batch Reporting Requirements.
Figure 1 FBAR XML Batch File Layout Overview
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XML declaration (prolog)
The XML declaration specifies the XML version and character encoding used in the file. It must appear on the first line
of the file.
EFilingBatchXML
This is the root element and serves as the container for all FinCEN FBAR documents recorded in the batch. It must be
the first element recorded in the file.
The EFilingBatchXML element is parent to the following complex element(s):
Activity. This element is the container for each FinCEN FBAR document in the batch. All BSA data related to
a single FinCEN FBAR document must be recorded within the <Activity> element. The number of <Activity>
elements will depend on the number of FinCEN FBAR documents being reported in the batch.
Activity
Each FinCEN FBAR document in the batch must begin with the <Activity> element. It identifies all information related
to a single FinCEN FBAR, including (but not limited to) information about the transmitter of the batch file, foreign
account filer, and third party preparer (if applicable), as well as the foreign financial account(s) and account owner(s).
There is no limit to the number of <Activity> elements that may be recorded in the batch; however, batch files should
not exceed 60MB total.
The <Activity> element is parent to the following complex element(s):
ActivityAssociation. This element is the container for the type of filing and should be recorded when the
FinCEN FBAR corrects/amends a prior report.
Party. This element is the container for any person (individual or entity) associated with the FinCEN FBAR at
the activity level, such as the batch file transmitter, the foreign account filer, and the third party preparer and
preparing firm (if applicable).
Account. This element is the container for foreign account information associated with the filer, such as a
separately owned foreign financial account, jointly owned foreign financial account, a foreign financial
account where the filer has signature authority but no financial interest, and/or a foreign financial account
where the filer is filing a consolidated report. NOTE: The <Account> element also contains <Party> elements
in addition to those mentioned above, such as the financial institution where the account is held, and the
account owners.
ActivityAssociation
As the container for the type of filing declaration for the FinCEN FBAR, this element (when recorded) identifies the
FinCEN FBAR as a correction/amendment to a prior report. There can only be one occurrence of this element for each
<Activity> element in the batch.
Party
Each FinCEN FBAR in the batch must include at the <Activity> element level a separate <Party> element identifying
the following:
Transmitter
This is the person (individual or entity) handling the data accumulation and formatting of the batch file. Each
FinCEN FBAR <Activity> element in the batch must include a <Party> element that identifies the batch
transmitter. The batch transmitter should be identical for each FinCEN FBAR. There must be only one occurrence of
this party for each FinCEN FBAR in the batch.
Transmitter Contact
This is the official contact for the transmitter. Each FinCEN FBAR <Activity> element in the batch must include a
<Party> element that identifies the point of contact for the batch transmitter. The transmitter contact should be
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identical for each FinCEN FBAR. There must be only one occurrence of this party for each FinCEN FBAR in the
batch.
Foreign Account Filer
This is the United States person that has a financial interest in or signature authority over foreign financial
accounts when the aggregate value of the foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the
calendar year. There must be only one occurrence of this party for each FinCEN FBAR in the batch.
If the FinCEN FBAR involves a third party preparer who is either self-employed or with a firm, then a separate
<Party> element must be recorded for each:
Third Party Preparer
This is the individual that has prepared the FinCEN FBAR and is filing on behalf of the filer and/or owner of the
foreign account(s). If recorded, there may be only one occurrence of this party for each FinCEN FBAR in the batch.
Third Party Preparer Firm
This is the firm associated with the third party preparer. This party type is not applicable when the third party
preparer is self-employed. If recorded, there may be only one occurrence of this party for each FinCEN FBAR in
the batch.
Account
Each FinCEN FBAR in the batch must include at least one <Account> element where one or more of the following
account types are identified; however, if the filer has financial interest or signature authority over (but no financial
interest) in 25 or more accounts, the account information may not be required. Please refer to Attachment C –
Electronic Filing Institutions for more details.
Separately Owned Financial Account
Information about a financial account owned separately by the filer. Information about the financial institution
where the account is held must be recorded as a <Party> element below the <Account> element.
Jointly Owned Financial Account
Information about a financial account owned jointly by the filer. Information about the financial institution where
the account is held is recorded as a <Party> element below the <Account>, along with a separate <Party>
element for each owner associated with the joint account.
No Financial Interest Account
Information about a financial account where filer has signature authority but no financial interest in the account.
Information about the financial institution where the account is held is recorded as a <Party> element below the
<Account>, along with a separate <Party> element for each owner associated with the joint account.
Consolidated Report Account
Information about a financial account where filer is filing a consolidated report. Information about the financial
institution where the account is held is recorded as a <Party> element below the <Account>, along with a
separate <Party> element for each owner associated with the joint account.
Foreign Account Activity
This is the container for general information about the FinCEN FBAR, such as the FinCEN FBAR calendar year, the
count of financial interest and/or signature authority accounts associated with the filer (if applicable), and if filing the
FinCEN FBAR past the annual deadline, a reason code can be recorded. There can only be one occurrence of this
element for each <Activity> element in the batch.
Activity Narrative Information
This is the container for a detailed explanation as to why the FinCEN FBAR is being filed late when the reason does
not fall into one of the predefined classifications provided by FinCEN. There can only be one occurrence of this
element for each <Activity> element in the batch.
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3. FinCEN FBAR XML Batch Reporting Requirements
This section describes in detail the reporting requirements for each element in the FinCEN FBAR batch.
3.1. Element Definition Overview
Each element in this user guide is defined using the following terms:
Item
Description
Element Name
This is the name that must be used when recording the element.
minOccurs/maxOccurs
This defines the number of times the element can occur for the parent element.
MinOccurs. The minimum number of times this element may be recorded for the
parent element (e.g. minOccurs=0 means this element is only required under certain
conditions while minOccurs=1 means at least one of the element must be recorded for
the parent element in the FinCEN FBAR.)
MaxOccurs. The maximum number of times this element may be recorded for the
parent element (e.g. maxOccurs=9999 means this element can occur up to 9999 times
in the same FinCEN FBAR.)
Description
This is the summary description of the element. Also included in the description is a list of
sub-elements associated with the element (if applicable) as well as any special requirements
for when (and when not) to record the element.
Attribute(s)
This specifies the attribute(s) that are required to be recorded for the element.
Note: Various elements contain the SeqNum attribute used to identify the associated
element in the batch file. The value recorded for this attribute must be numeric and unique.
It should begin with “1” and increase by 1 for all subsequent elements in the batch that
contain this attribute.
Parent Element
This identifies the element’s container element. The <Parent> element contains sub
elements and is considered a complex element.
Element Restriction(s)
This specifies the requirement level for the element; specifically, under what conditions the
element should be recorded:
Required. The element must be recorded for the <Parent> element; however, this
does not necessarily mean that a value must also be recorded for the element.
Conditionally Required means that the element should only be recorded when certain
conditions apply (if the element is labeled as conditionally required, the conditions for
recording the element are defined in the Remarks).
NOTE: If neither of the above requirement levels are specified in this field, then the element
is not required. However, a field that is not required does not mean that it is optional. All
fields require an entry when the filer has the relevant data.
Value Restriction(s)
This specifies any requirements and/or restrictions in terms of the value recorded for the
element.
Required. A value must be recorded for the element.
Conditionally Required. A value may or may not be recorded for the element
depending on whether or not certain conditions apply.
Remarks
This specifies any additional information about the element to assist with reporting;
including:
Reporting conditions that may result in a batch rejection.
Reporting conditions that may result in a batch accepted with warnings.
Example
This provides one or more examples of how to record the element.
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3.2. Batch Validation (Form & Fit) Overview
It is important to note that if the batch file does not adhere to the basic format described in this guide in accordance
with the FBAR XML batch schema, then the batch will fail validation and will not be accepted by FinCEN.
Here is a list of general schema requirements that your batch must adhere to in addition to the data requirements
described for each element throughout this guide:
Elements must include the prefix “fc2”.
Element names must be spelled correctly and in the correct case. Do NOT included spaces at the beginning
or ending of the element names.
Elements must have a matching closing tag (which includes a self-closing tag in the event that no value is
recorded for the element).
Elements must be in the correct sequence.
Elements must be recorded when the minOccurs=1 (or greater than 1).
Elements must not be recorded more than the maxOccurs value for the associated <Parent> element.
Element values must not exceed the maximum specified character limit.
Element values must not include leading and/or trailing spaces.
Element values must not include non-printable characters, such as carriage returns, line feeds, and tabs.
3.3. Element Requirements
The following defines each element in the FinCEN FBAR XML batch in the order in which they can be recorded.
XML declaration/prolog
The XML declaration must appear on the first line of the file.
Element Name:
?xml
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
XML declaration/prolog. This is the XML declaration which specifies the XML version and character
encoding used in the file.
Attribute(s):
version. The version number of the XML. The value recorded must be “1.0”
encoding. The character encoding, which must be UTF-8, used for the XML. The value recorded must be
“UTF-8”
Parent Element:
n/a
Element
Restriction(s):
This declaration must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The XML declaration/prolog is not recorded with the required values (see Value Restriction(s)
above) or it is not recorded on the first line of the batch file.
Example:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
EFilingBatchXML Elements
The <EFilingBatchXML> element is the container for the contents of the batch file, which may include one or more
FinCEN FBAR documents. It must be the first element recorded in the file (directly following the XML
declaration/prolog) and is considered the root element. An <Activity> element must be recorded for each FinCEN
IMPORTANT: If the batch file does not conform to the above requirements, it will fail schema validation and the entire batch
submission will be rejected by FinCEN.
IMPORTANT: FinCEN strongly encourages that filers first test their XML batch files for schema compliance using the schemas
available at www.fincen.gov/base. Your batch file should pass schema validation before you attempt to submit to FinCEN;
otherwise, it will be at risk of being rejected.
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FBAR document within the EFilingBatchXML element. Once all FinCEN FBAR <Activity> elements are recorded, the
batch file must include a closing tag for the element (e.g. </EFilingBatchXML>) which should be the last line of data
recorded in the file. There must only be one occurrence of this element in the file.
Element Name:
EFilingBatchXML
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
FinCEN FBAR XML batch (header). This is the container for the contents of the batch file.
This element is parent to the following sub-elements:
FormTypeCode
Activity *
NOTE: The elements marked with an asterisk (*) in the table above contain sub-elements.
Attribute(s):
ActivityCount. The total count of all <Activity> elements recorded in the batch file.
PartyCount. The total count of <Party> elements where the <ActivityPartyTypeCode> element is equal
to “41” (Financial institution where account is held) recorded in the batch file.
AccountCount. The total count of all <Account> elements recorded in the batch file.
JointlyOwnedOwnerCount. The total count of <Party> elements where the <ActivityPartyTypeCode>
element is equal to “42” (Principle joint owner).
NoFIOwnerCount. The total count of <Party> elements where the <ActivityPartyTypeCode> element is
equal to “43” (No financial interest account owner).
ConsolidatedOwnerCount. The total count of <Party> elements where the <ActivityPartyTypeCode>
element is equal to “44” (Consolidated report account owner).
xsi:schemaLocation. The location of the FBARX batch schema, which is
www.fincen.gov/base/EFL_FBARXBatchSchema.xsd.
xmlns:xsi. The namespace definition location, which is http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance.
xmlns:fc2. The name prefix that must be specified for each element in the file (e.g.
<fc2:EFilingBatchXML>). The value for this attribute should be www.fincen.gov/base.
Parent Element:
n/a
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or is incorrectly formatted.
One or more of the attributes are missing, incorrectly formatted, or contain an invalid value.
The reported attribute count does not match the actual count.
Example:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<fc2:EFilingBatchXML ActivityCount="55" PartyCount="102" AccountCount="102" JointlyOwnedOwnerCount="27"
NoFIOwnerCount="36" ConsolidatedOwnerCount="10"
xsi:schemaLocation="www.fincen.gov/base/EFL_FBARXBatchSchema.xsd"
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:fc2="www.fincen.gov/base">
<fc2:FormTypeCode>FBARX</fc2:FormTypeCode>
<fc2:Activity SeqNum="1">
…
</fc2:Activity>
</fc2:EFilingBatchXML>
Element Name:
FormTypeCode
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Form type (code). This element identifies the type of form being reported in the batch.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
EFilingBatchXML
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must equal:
FBARX
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Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or is incorrectly formatted.
The value recorded for the element is not equal to FBARX.
Example:
<fc2:FormTypeCode>FBARX</fc2:FormTypeCode>
Activity Elements
The <Activity> element is the container for the FinCEN FBAR document. The first <Activity> element in the batch file
must directly follow the <FormTypeCode> element. Once all sub-elements related to the FinCEN FBAR are recorded,
the batch file must include a closing tag for the element (e.g. </Activity>) before any subsequent FinCEN FBAR
<Activity> elements are recorded. The <Parent> element <EFilingBatchXML> element must contain at least 1
occurrence of this element. There is no maximum occurrence value set for this element; however, the total size of the
batch file must not exceed 60MB.
Element Name:
Activity
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
unbounded
Description:
FinCEN FBAR activity (header). This is the container for the FinCEN FBAR document contents, which
includes information about the transmitter, reporting financial institution, transaction location(s),
person(s) involved in the transaction(s), and specific activity data related to the currency transaction
report, such as the date of the transaction(s), the total cash-in/out amount(s), etc.
This element is parent to the following sub-elements:
ApprovalOfficialSignatureDateText
EFilingPriorDocumentNumber
PreparerFilingSignatureIndicator
ThirdPartyPreparerIndicator
ActivityAssociation *
Party *
Account *
ForeignAccountActivity *
ActivityNarrativeInformation *
NOTE: The elements marked with an asterisk (*) in the table above contain sub-elements.
Attribute(s):
SeqNum. The value recorded for this attribute must be numeric and unique. It should begin with “1”
and increase by 1 for all subsequent elements in the batch that contain this attribute.
Parent Element:
EFilingBatchXML
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
Example:
<fc2:Activity SeqNum="1">
<fc2:ApprovalOfficialSignatureDateText>20171022</fc2:ApprovalOfficialSignatureDateText>
<fc2:EFilingPriorDocumentNumber>31000000000001</fc2:EFilingPriorDocumentNumber>
…
</fc2:Activity>
Element Name:
ApprovalOfficialSignatureDateText
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
IMPORTANT: If the batch file does not conform to the above requirements, it will fail schema validation and the entire batch
submission will be rejected by FinCEN.
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Description:
Date of signature (text). This element identifies the date in which the FinCEN FBAR is approved for
electronic submission through FinCEN’s BSA E-Filing System either by the filer or by a third party
preparer on behalf of the filer
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Activity
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
8 numeric characters in the format YYYYMMDD where YYYY = year, MM = month, and DD =
day. Single digit days or months must be prefaced by a zero.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded but without a value (i.e. the value is null).
The value recorded for the element is not a valid date in the format YYYYMMDD.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The value recorded for the element is a date greater than the current date.
Example:
<fc2:ApprovalOfficialSignatureDateText>20170310</fc2:ApprovalOfficialSignatureDateText>
Element Name:
EFilingPriorDocumentNumber
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Prior report BSA Identifier (text). This element identifies the BSA Identifier (BSA ID) of the previously-
filed FinCEN FBAR when filing a correction/amendment to that report.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Activity
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
<CorrectsAmendsPriorReportIndicator> contains a “Y” value.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
14-digit numeric BSA ID (if the BSA ID is known).
Equal to “00000000000000” (if the BSA ID is unknown).
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded but without a value (i.e. the value is null).
The value recorded for the element contains non-numeric characters.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded and <CorrectsAmendsPriorReportIndicator> contains a “Y” value.
The element is recorded (with a valid value) and <CorrectsAmendsPriorReportIndicator> is
not recorded or contains a null value.
Example(s):
<fc2:EFilingPriorDocumentNumber>31000000000001</fc2:EFilingPriorDocumentNumber>
Element Name:
PreparerFilingSignatureIndicator
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Filer signature (indicator). This element declares that this FinCEN FBAR was prepared by the foreign
account filer and it is authorized for submission to FinCEN's BSA E-Filing System.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Activity
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The FinCEN FBAR was prepared by the foreign account filer and is authorized for submission
to FinCEN's BSA E-Filing System. If the FinCEN FBAR was completed by a third party preparer
on behalf of the filer, record the <ThirdPartyPreparerIndicator> element with a “Y” value and
do not record the <PreparerFilingSignatureIndicator> element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Y (to indicate that this report was prepared by the foreign account filer and is authorized by
the filer for submission)
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
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The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value and third party preparer is not
indicated.
The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or null.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
Filer Signature and Third Party Preparer are both indicated.
Example:
<fc2:PreparerFilingSignatureIndicator>Y</fc2:PreparerFilingSignatureIndicator>
Element Name:
ThirdPartyPreparerIndicator
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Third party preparer (indicator). This element declares that this FinCEN FBAR was prepared by third
party preparer on behalf of the foreign account filer and it is authorized for submission to FinCEN's BSA
E-Filing System.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Activity
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The FinCEN FBAR was prepared by third party preparer on behalf of the foreign account filer
and is authorized for submission to FinCEN's BSA E-Filing System. If the FinCEN FBAR was
completed by foreign account filer, record the <PreparerFilingSignatureIndicator> element
with a “Y” value and do not record the <ThirdPartyPreparerIndicator> element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Y (to indicate that this report was prepared by a third party preparer on behalf of the foreign
account filer and is authorized for submission)
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value and PreparerFilingSignatureIndicator
is not recorded with a “Y” value.
The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or null.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
Filer Signature and Third Party Preparer are both indicated.
Example:
<fc2:ThirdPartyPreparerIndicator>Y</fc2:ThirdPartyPreparerIndicator>
Element Name:
ActivityAssociation
See ActivityAssociation Elements section for details.
Element Name:
Party
See Party Elements section for details.
Element Name:
Account
See Account Elements section for details.
Element Name:
ForeignAccountActivity
See ForeignAccountActivity Elements section for details.
Element Name:
ActivityNarrativeInformation
See ActivityNarrativeInformation Elements section for details.
ActivityAssociation Elements
The <ActivityAssociation> element is the container for information about the type of filing associated with the FinCEN
FBAR. Once all sub-elements related to the <ActivityAssociation> element are recorded, the batch file must include a
closing tag for the element (e.g. </ActivityAssociation>). There must be one occurrence of this element for each
FinCEN FBAR <Activity> element recorded in the batch.
IMPORTANT: If the batch file does not conform to the above requirements, it will fail schema validation and the entire batch
submission will be rejected by FinCEN.
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Element Name:
ActivityAssociation
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
FinCEN FBAR activity filing type association (header). This is the container that identifies the FinCEN
FBAR as a correction/amendment to a prior report.
This element is parent to the following sub-element:
CorrectsAmendsPriorReportIndicator
Attribute(s):
SeqNum
Parent Element:
Activity
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag are incorrectly formatted.
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
Example:
<fc2:ActivityAssociation SeqNum="2">
<fc2:CorrectsAmendsPriorReportIndicator>Y</fc2:CorrectsAmendsPriorReportIndicator>
</fc2:ActivityAssociation>
Element Name:
CorrectsAmendsPriorReportIndicator
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Correct/amend prior report (indicator). This element declares that the FinCEN FBAR corrects or amends
a previously-filed report.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
ActivityAssociation
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Y (to indicate correct/amend prior report).
Null (if the FBAR is not a correction/amendment to a prior report).
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or null.
Example:
<fc2:CorrectsAmendsPriorReportIndicator>Y</fc2:CorrectsAmendsPriorReportIndicator>
Party Elements (Activity Level)
The <Party> element is the container for information about the individual or entity associated with the FinCEN FBAR.
At the report activity level, the <Party> element is used to identify the transmitter [of the batch file], the transmitter
contact, the foreign account filer, the third party preparer, and the third party preparer firm. At a minimum, each
FinCEN FBAR <Activity> element must contain a separate <Party> element identifying each of the following party
types: Transmitter (not to exceed one occurrence), Transmitter Official Contact (not to exceed one occurrence), and
Foreign Account Filer (not to exceed one occurrence). If the FinCEN FBAR includes a third party preparer and third
party preparer firm (when the third party preparer is not self-employed), a separate <Party> element must be
recorded for each party type at the <Activity> element level. Once all sub-elements related to the <Party> element
are recorded for the <Activity> element, the batch file must include a closing tag for the party (e.g. </Party>).
In this section, all sub-elements associated with the <Party> element are defined; however, when and when not to
record each element is dependent upon the party type (e.g. transmitter, foreign account filer, third party preparer,
etc.) being identified for the <Party> element. It is noted within each element’s description which party type the
element can be recorded for and under what conditions the element should be recorded within the Element
IMPORTANT: If the batch file does not conform to the above requirements, it will fail schema validation and the entire batch
submission will be rejected by FinCEN.
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Restriction(s). For a complete summary of required party elements by party type, refer to Section 3.4 – Party Elements
(Activity Level) by Party Type.
Element Name:
Party
minOccurs:
3
maxOccurs:
5
Description:
Party (header). This is the container for information about the individual or entity associated with the
FinCEN FBAR; specifically, the transmitter [of the batch file], the transmitter contact, the foreign account
filer, the third party preparer (if recorded), and the third party preparer firm (if a third party preparer is
recorded and is not self-employed).
The following table describes all possible sub-elements for the Party element and the party type that
each element can be recorded for:
Party element name
ActivityPartyTypeCode
35
37
15
57
56
ActivityPartyTypeCode
●
●
●
●
●
FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator
●
FilerTypeConsolidatedIndicator
●
FilerTypeCorporationIndicator
●
FilerTypeFiduciaryOtherIndicator
●
FilerTypeIndividualIndicator
●
FilerTypeOtherText
●
FilerTypePartnershipIndicator
●
IndividualBirthDateText
●
SelfEmployedIndicator
●
SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator
●
PartyName *
●
●
●
●
●
Address *
●
●
●
PhoneNumber *
●
●
PartyIdentification *
●
●
●
●
NOTE: The elements marked with an asterisk (*) in the table above contain sub-elements.
Attribute(s):
SeqNum
Parent Element:
Activity
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. Record a separate instance of this element for each FinCEN FBAR in the batch in order to
identify each of the following party types:
Transmitter (no more than one).
Transmitter contact (no more than one).
Foreign account filer (no more than one).
Conditionally Required. Record a separate instance of this element for each FinCEN FBAR in the batch in
order to identify each of the following party types (when applicable):
Third party preparer (no more than one).
Third party preparer firm (no more than one).
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
The FinCEN FBAR <Activity> element does not contain a <Party> element for each of the
following required party types or it exceeds the maximum occurrence for the party type:
o Required party types:
Transmitter (no more than one).
Transmitter contact (no more than one).
Foreign account filer (no more than one).
Activity party type code definitions
35 = Transmitter | 37 = Transmitter Contact | 15 = Foreign Account Filer
57 = Third Party Preparer | 56 = Third Party Preparer Firm
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o Conditionally required party types:
Third party preparer (no more than one when a third party prepared the
FinCEN FBAR on behalf of the filer, in which case the
<ThirdPartyPreparerIndicator> element must be recorded with a “Y”
value and the <PreparerFilingSignatureIndicator> element should not be
recorded).
Third party preparer firm (no more than one when a third party prepared
the FinCEN FBAR on behalf of the filer and the third party preparer is not
self-employed, in which case the <SelfEmployedIndicator> element
should not be recorded).
Example:
Transmitter party:
<fc2:Party SeqNum="6">
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>35</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="7">
...
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum="8">
...
</fc2:Address>
<fc2:PhoneNumber SeqNum="9">
...
</fc2:PhoneNumber>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="10">
...
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
</fc2:Party>
Transmitter Contact:
<fc2:Party SeqNum="11">
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>37</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="12">
...
</fc2:PartyName>
</fc2:Party>
Foreign Account Filer:
<fc2:Party SeqNum="13">
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>15</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator>N</fc2:FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicat
or>
<fc2:FilerTypeIndividualIndicator>Y</fc2:FilerTypeIndividualIndicator>
<fc2:IndividualBirthDateText>19850330</fc2:IndividualBirthDateText>
<fc2:SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator>Y</fc2: SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="14">
...
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum="15">
...
</fc2:Address>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="16">
...
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
</fc2:Party>
Third Party Preparer:
<fc2:Party SeqNum="17">
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>57</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="18">
...
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum="19">
...
</fc2:Address>
<fc2:PhoneNumber SeqNum="20">
...
</fc2:PhoneNumber>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="21">
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...
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
</fc2:Party>
Third Party Preparer Firm:
<fc2:Party SeqNum="22">
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>56</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="23">
...
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="24">
...
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
</fc2:Party>
Element Name:
ActivityPartyTypeCode
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party type (code). This element identifies the type of party (i.e. transmitter, foreign account filer, etc.)
associated with the FinCEN FBAR.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Identify the party type by recording the appropriate code from the list below:
Code
Description
35
Transmitter
37
Transmitter Contact
15
Foreign Account Filer
57
Third Party Preparer
56
Third Party Preparer Firm
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted
The element does not contain a value equal to one of the approved codes listed above.
Example:
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>15</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
Element Name:
FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Financial Interest (indicator). This element declares whether or not the filer has a financial interest in 25
or more foreign financial accounts. If “Y” (Yes) is indicated, then the total number of financial interest
accounts must be recorded with the element <ForeignAccountHeldQuantityText> (under parent
element <ForeignAccountActivity>). See Attachment C – Electronic Filing Instructions for more
information regarding how to complete the FinCEN FBAR when the filer has financial interest in 25 or
more accounts.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15).
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Indicate whether or not the filer has a financial interest in 25 or more foreign financial
accounts by entering one of the appropriate code from the list below:
Code
Description
Y
Yes (the filer has financial interest in 25 or more financial accounts)
N
No (the filer does not have financial interest in 25 or more financial accounts)
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
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The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or “N”.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15).
Example:
<fc2:FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator>N</fc2:FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator>
Element Name:
FilerTypeConsolidatedIndicator
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Consolidated report (indicator). This element declares that the filer is filing the FinCEN FBAR as a
consolidated report.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15) and the filer is an entity, and
the FinCEN FBAR is being filed as a consolidated report; otherwise, do not record this
element. NOTE: Only one filer type should be indicated for a single report.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Y (to indicate consolidated report).
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or null.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15).
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The type of filer is not specified for the foreign account filer.
More than one type of filer is specified for the foreign account filer.
Example:
<fc2:FilerTypeConsolidatedIndicator>Y</fc2:FilerTypeConsolidatedIndicator>
Element Name:
FilerTypeCorporationIndicator
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Corporation filer type (indicator). This element declares that the foreign account filer type is classified as
corporation.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15) the filer is an entity, and the
filer type is corporation; otherwise, do not record this element. NOTE: Only one filer type
should be indicated for a single report.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Y (to indicate the filer type is classified as a corporation).
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or null.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15).
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The type of filer is not specified for the foreign account filer.
More than one type of filer is specified for the foreign account filer.
Example:
<fc2:FilerTypeCorporationIndicator>Y</fc2:FilerTypeCorporationIndicator>
Element Name:
FilerTypeFiduciaryOtherIndicator
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Fiduciary or other filer type (indicator). This element declares that the foreign account filer type is not
classified as individual, partnership, corporation, or consolidated report.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
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The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15), the filer is an entity, and filer
type is not classified as individual, partnership, corporation, or consolidation; otherwise, do
not record this element. NOTE: Only one filer type should be indicated for a single report.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Y (to indicate the filer type is classified as fiduciary or other).
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or null.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15).
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The type of filer is not specified for the foreign account filer.
More than one type of filer is specified for the foreign account filer.
Example:
<fc2:FilerTypeFiduciaryOtherIndicator>Y</fc2:FilerTypeFiduciaryOtherIndicator>
Element Name:
FilerTypeIndividualIndicator
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Individual filer type (indicator). This element declares that the foreign account filer type is classified as
individual.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15) and the filer is an individual;
otherwise, do not record this element. NOTE: Only one filer type should be indicated for a
single report.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Y (to indicate the filer is classified as individual).
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or null.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15).
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The type of filer is not specified for the foreign account filer.
More than one type of filer is specified for the foreign account filer.
Example:
<fc2:FilerTypeIndividualIndicator>Y</fc2:FilerTypeIndividualIndicator>
Element Name:
FilerTypeOtherText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Filer type other description (text). This element identifies the foreign account filer type when the filer
type cannot be classified as individual, partnership, corporation, or consolidated report.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15) and the
<FilerTypeFiduciaryOtherIndicator> element contains a “Y” value; otherwise, do not record
this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-50 characters
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or null.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15).
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value and other is indicated.
The element is recorded with a value and other is not indicated.
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Example:
<fc2:FilerTypeOtherText>Other filer type description</fc2:FilerTypeOtherText>
Element Name:
FilerTypePartnershipIndicator
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Partnership filer type (indicator). This element declares that the foreign account filer type is classified as
partnership.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15), the filer is an entity, and filer
type is partnership; otherwise, do not record this element. NOTE: Only one filer type should
be indicated for a single report.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Y (to indicate the filer is described as a partnership).
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or null.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15).
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The type of filer is not specified for the foreign account filer.
More than one type of filer is specified for the foreign account filer.
Example:
<fc2:FilerTypePartnershipIndicator>Y</fc2:FilerTypePartnershipIndicator>
Element Name:
IndividualBirthDateText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Individual date of birth (text). This element identifies the date of birth of the foreign account filer when
the type of filer is classified as individual.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15) and the
<FilerTypeIndividualIndicator> element contains a “Y” value; otherwise, do not record this
element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
8 numeric characters in the format YYYYMMDD where YYYY = year, MM = month, and DD =
day. Single digit days or months must be prefaced by a zero.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded for an individual filer or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
The element is recorded but without a value (i.e. the value is null) for an individual filer.
The value recorded for the element is not a valid date in the format YYYYMMDD.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15).
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The date of birth is less than January 1, 1900 or greater than December 31 of the year entered
for the report calendar year (<ReportCalendarYearText>).
Example:
<fc2:IndividualBirthDateText>19741125</fc2:IndividualBirthDateText>
Element Name:
SelfEmployedIndicator
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Third party preparer self-employed (indicator). This element declares that the third party preparer is a
self-employed individual.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Party
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Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the third party preparer (57) and the third party preparer is a
self-employed individual; otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Y (to indicate that the third party preparer is a self-employed individual).
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or null.
The element is recorded for a party type other than third party preparer (57).
Example:
<fc2:SelfEmployedIndicator>Y</fc2:SelfEmployedIndicator>
Element Name:
SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Signature authority (indicator). This element declares whether or not the filer has signature authority
over but not financial interest in 25 or more foreign financial accounts. If yes to signature authority, then
the total number of signature authority accounts must be recorded with element
<SignatureAuthoritiesQuantityText> (under parent element <ForeignAccountActivity>). See Attachment
C – Electronic Filing Instructions for more information regarding how to complete the FinCEN FBAR
when the filer has signature authority over (but no financial interest in) 25 or more accounts.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15).
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Indicate whether or not the filer has signature authority over (but no financial interest in) 25
or more foreign financial accounts by entering one of the appropriate code from the list
below:
Code
Description
Y
Yes (the filer has signature authority over (but no financial interest) in 25 or more
financial accounts)
N
No (the filer does not have signature authority over (but no financial interest) in 25 or
more financial accounts)
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or “N”.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15).
Example:
<fc2:SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator>Y</fc2:SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator>
PartyName Elements
For additional guidance related to name reporting requirements, please refer to the General Instructions (Name
Editing Instructions) located in Attachment C at the end of this guide.
Element Name:
PartyName
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party name (header). This is the container for information about the legal name of the party; specifically,
the transmitter [of the batch file], the transmitter contact, the foreign account filer, the third party
preparer (if recorded), and the third party preparer firm (if a third party preparer is recorded and is not
self-employed).
The following table describes all possible sub-elements for the PartyName element and the party type
that each element can be recorded for:
Activity party type code definitions
35 = Transmitter | 37 = Transmitter Contact | 15 = Foreign Account Filer
57 = Third Party Preparer | 56 = Third Party Preparer Firm
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Element name
Activity party type code
35
37
15
57
56
PartyName
●
●
●
●
●
PartyNameTypeCode
●
●
●
●
●
RawEntityIndividualLastName
●
●
RawIndividualFirstName
●
●
RawIndividualMiddleName
●
●
RawIndividualNameSuffixText
●
RawIndividualTitleText
●
RawPartyFullName
●
●
●
Attribute(s):
SeqNum
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
The element exceeds the maximum occurrence threshold.
Example:
Foreign account filer (15) party type:
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="12">
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>Smith</fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>
<fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>John</fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>
<fc2:RawIndividualMiddleName>J</fc2:RawIndividualMiddleName>
</fc2:PartyName>
Third party prepare firm (56) party type:
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="19">
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawPartyFullName>Preparing Firm Inc.</fc2:RawPartyFullName>
</fc2:PartyName>
Element Name:
PartyNameTypeCode
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party name type (code). This element identifies the type of name recorded for the party as the legal
name.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must equal:
L (to indicate legal name)
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to “L”.
Example:
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
Element Name:
RawEntityIndividualLastName
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Entity name or Individual last name (text). This element identifies the legal name of the entity or last
name of the individual.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
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Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15) or the third party preparer (57);
otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-150 characters.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded but without a value (i.e. the value is null).
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15) or third party
preparer (57).
Example:
<fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>Smith</fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>
Element Name:
RawIndividualFirstName
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Individual first name (text). This element identifies the first name of an individual; specifically, the
foreign account filer (if the filer type is individual) and the third party preparer.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15) and the
<FilerTypeIndividualIndicator> element contains a “Y” value; or the party type is associated
with the third party preparer (57); otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-35 characters.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null) for an
individual.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15) or third party
preparer (57).
Example:
<fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>John</fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>
Element Name:
RawIndividualMiddleName
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Individual middle name/initial (text). This element identifies the middle name/initial of the party;
specifically, the foreign account filer (if the filer type is individual) and the third party preparer.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15), the
<FilerTypeIndividualIndicator> element contains a “Y” value, and the middle name/initial of
the filer is available; or the party type is associated with the third party preparer (57) and the
middle name/initial of the filer is available; otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-35 characters.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15) or third party
preparer (57).
Example:
<fc2:RawIndividualMiddleName>Johnson</fc2:RawIndividualMiddleName>
Element Name:
RawIndividualNameSuffixText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
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Description:
Individual suffix name (text). This element identifies the suffix name of the party; specifically, the foreign
account filer (if the filer type is individual).
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15), the
<FilerTypeIndividualIndicator> element contains a “Y” value, and the suffix name of the filer is
available; otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-35 characters
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15).
Example:
<fc2:RawIndividualNameSuffixText>Junior</fc2:RawIndividualNameSuffixText>
Element Name:
RawIndividualTitleText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Individual filer title (text). This element identifies the filer’s title when the individual that is filing the
FinCEN FBAR has signature authority over the account(s) or is authorized to file on behalf of a legal
entity, such as a corporation, which is shown as the filer.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15), the
<FilerTypeIndividualIndicator> element contains a “Y” value, and the individual that is filing
the FinCEN FBAR has signature authority over the account(s) or is authorized to file on behalf
of a legal entity, such as a corporation, which is shown as the filer; otherwise, do not record
this element. If the filer is reporting both personal accounts and accounts over which the filer
has signature authority or is otherwise authorized to file on, the filer must report a title. NOTE:
Do not record this element if the filer is reporting as an individual because of a personal
financial interest in the account(s). An individual filing because of a financial interest in his/her
individual accounts is filing as an individual.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-35 characters
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15).
Example:
<fc2:RawIndividualTitleText>Primary Owner</fc2:RawIndividualTitleText>
Element Name:
RawPartyFullName
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party full name (text). This element identifies the full name of the party; specifically, the legal name of
the transmitter [of the batch file], the transmitter contact, and the third party preparer firm (if a third
party preparer is recorded and is not self-employed).
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the transmitter (35).
The party type is associated with the transmitter contact (37).
The party type is associated with the third party preparer firm (56).
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-150 characters.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
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Element Name:
RawPartyFullName
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
The element is recorded for a party type other than transmitter (35), transmitter contact (37),
or third party preparer firm (56).
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value and self-employed is not indicated
for the preparer.
Example:
<fc2:RawPartyFullName>Preparing Firm Inc.</fc2:RawPartyFullName>
Address Elements
For additional guidance related to address reporting requirements, please refer to the General Instructions
(Addresses) located in Attachment C at the end of this guide.
Element Name:
Address
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party address (header). This is the container for information about the address of the party; specifically,
the transmitter [of the batch file], the foreign account filer, and the third party preparer (if recorded).
The following table describes all possible sub-elements for the Address element and the party type that
each element can be recorded for:
Element name
Activity party type code
35
37
15
57
56
Address
●
●
●
RawCityText
●
●
●
RawCountryCodeText
●
●
●
RawStateCodeText
●
●
●
RawStreetAddress1Text
●
●
●
RawZIPCode
●
●
●
Attribute(s):
SeqNum
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the transmitter (35).
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15).
The party type is associated with the third party preparer (57).
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
The element exceeds the maximum occurrence threshold.
The element is recorded for a party type other than:
o Transmitter (35).
o Foreign account filer (15).
o Third party preparer (57).
Example:
United States location:
<fc2:Address SeqNum="97">
Activity party type code definitions
35 = Transmitter | 37 = Transmitter Contact | 15 = Foreign Account Filer
57 = Third Party Preparer | 56 = Third Party Preparer Firm
IMPORTANT ADVISORY: The preparer’s address can either be the address of the individual
preparer (if self-employed) or the address of the preparer’s firm (if not self-employed); however,
the preparer’s address must be recorded under the third party preparer (57) party type (even if
the address is associated with the preparer’s firm).
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Element Name:
Address
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
<fc2:RawCityText>Beverly Hills</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>US</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStateCodeText>CA</fc2:RawStateCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>123 Money Street</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>90210</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
Foreign location (Argentina):
<fc2:Address SeqNum="72">
<fc2:RawCityText>Los Puestos Colpes</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>AR</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>321 Cash Road</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>5319</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
Element Name:
RawCityText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
City (text). This element identifies the city associated with the address of the party.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Address
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the transmitter (35).
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15).
The party type is associated with the third party preparer (57).
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-50 characters
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null) for the
transmitter (35) or foreign account filer (15) party type.
Example:
<fc2:RawCityText>Beverly Hills</fc2:RawCityText>
Element Name:
RawCountryCodeText
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Country (code). This element identifies the country associated with the party.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Address
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the transmitter (35).
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15).
The party type is associated with the third party preparer (57).
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Country codes including U.S. Territory codes must adhere to the two-letter country codes
found in ISO 3166-2.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value that is not a valid ISO 3166-2 country code.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null).
State code and country code mismatch when U.S. territory is recorded.
Example:
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>MX</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
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Element Name:
RawStateCodeText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
State/Territory/Province (code). This element identifies the state/territory/province associated with the
address of the party when the corresponding country is equal to US (United States), CA (Canada), MX
(Mexico), or a U.S. Territory.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Address
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the transmitter (35) and the country is equal to US, CA, MX,
or a U.S. Territory; otherwise, do not record this element.
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15) and the country is equal to US,
CA, MX, or a U.S. Territory; otherwise, do not record this element.
The party type is associated with the third party preparer (57) and the country is equal to US,
CA, MX, or a U.S. Territory; otherwise, do not record this element.
The <RawCountryCodeText> element contains a U.S. Territory code, in which case, the same
U.S. Territory code must be recorded for the <RawStateCodeText> element also.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
United States state/territory codes must adhere to the two-letter codes used by the United
States Postal Service when the country is equal to US or a U.S. Territory. NOTE: If a U.S.
Territory is recorded for the country, it must also be recorded for the state.
Canadian province/territory codes must adhere to the two-letter codes used by the Canadian
Post Corporation when the country is equal to CA.
Mexican state/federal district codes must adhere to the standards of ISO 3166-2:MX when the
country is equal to MX.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value that is not a valid code.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null) and the
corresponding country is US, CA, MX, or a U.S. Territory.
The element is recorded with a value and the corresponding country is not equal to US, CA,
MX, or a U.S. Territory.
State code and country code mismatch when U.S. territory is recorded.
Example:
<fc2:RawStateCodeText>CA</fc2:RawStateCodeText>
Element Name:
RawStreetAddress1Text
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Street address (text). This element identifies the street address of the party.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Address
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the transmitter (35).
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15).
The party type is associated with the third party preparer (57).
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-100 characters
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null) for the
transmitter (35) or foreign account filer (15) party type.
Example:
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>123 Money Street</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
Element Name:
RawZIPCode
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
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Description:
ZIP/Postal Code (text). This element identifies the ZIP Code or foreign postal code associated with the
address of the party.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Address
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the transmitter (35).
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15).
The party type is associated with the third party preparer (57).
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
For US addresses, including U.S. Territories:
o 5 or 9 numeric character entry.
o 9 numeric character entry cannot end with four zeros or four nines.
For non-US addresses:
o 1-9 character entry.
NOTE: Do not include punctuation or formatting such as hyphens, periods, and spaces within the value
entry.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null).
The value recorded contains non-numeric characters or is in an invalid format and the
associated country is US or a U.S. Territory.
The value recorded contains special characters or formatting such as hyphens, periods, and
spaces.
Example:
<fc2:RawZIPCode>90210</fc2:RawZIPCode>
PhoneNumber Elements
For additional guidance related to telephone number reporting requirements, please refer to the General Instructions
(Telephone numbers) located in Attachment C at the end of this guide.
Element Name:
PhoneNumber
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Telephone number (header). This is the container for information about the telephone number of the
party; specifically the transmitter [of the batch file] and third party preparer (if recorded).
The following table describes all possible sub-elements for the PhoneNumber element and the party
type that each element can be recorded for:
Element name
Activity party type code
35
37
15
57
56
PhoneNumber
●
●
PhoneNumberExtensionText
●
PhoneNumberText
●
●
Attribute(s):
SeqNum
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the transmitter (35).
The party type is associated with the third party preparer (57).
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
Activity party type code definitions
35 = Transmitter | 37 = Transmitter Contact | 15 = Foreign Account Filer
57 = Third Party Preparer | 56 = Third Party Preparer Firm
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Element Name:
PhoneNumber
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
The element exceeds the maximum occurrence threshold.
The element is recorded for a party type other than:
o Transmitter (35).
o Third party preparer (57).
Example:
<fc2:PhoneNumber SeqNum="32">
<fc2:PhoneNumberExtensionText>2210</fc2:PhoneNumberExtensionText>
<fc2:PhoneNumberText>7038987458</fc2:PhoneNumberText>
</fc2:PhoneNumber>
Element Name:
PhoneNumberExtensionText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Telephone extension (text). This element identifies the telephone extension associated with the
telephone number of the party (if known); specifically, the third party preparer (if recorded).
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PhoneNumber
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the third party preparer (57) and the telephone number
extension is known; otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-6 numeric characters
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted
The element is recorded for a party type other than third party preparer (57).
Example:
<fc2:PhoneNumberExtensionText>2210</fc2:PhoneNumberExtensionText>
Element Name:
PhoneNumberText
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Telephone number (text). This element identifies the telephone number of the party; specifically, the
transmitter [of the batch file] and the third party preparer (if recorded).
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PhoneNumber
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
If the party type is associated with the transmitter (35) or third party preparer (57), then the
value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
o 1-16 numeric characters; not all same digit, such as all 0’s or all 9’s
NOTE: Do not include punctuation or formatting such as hyphens, periods, and spaces within the value
entry.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null) and Third Party
Preparer is indicated.
The value recorded for the element contains non-numeric characters or is an invalid number
string.
Example:
<fc2:PhoneNumberText>7038987458</fc2:PhoneNumberText>
PartyIdentification Elements
For additional guidance related to identification reporting requirements, please refer to the General Instructions
(Identification requirements / Identifying numbers) located in Attachment C at the end of this guide.
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Element Name:
PartyIdentification
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
2
Description:
Party identification (header). This is the container for information about the identification associated
with the party; specifically, the transmitter [of the batch file], the foreign account filer, the third party
preparer (if recorded), and the third party preparer firm (if a third party preparer is recorded and is not
self-employed).
The following table describes all possible sub-elements for the PartyIdentification element and the party
type that each element can be recorded for:
Element name
Activity party type code
35
37
15
57
56
PartyIdentification
●
●
●
●
OtherIssuerCountryText
●
OtherPartyIdentificationTypeText
●
PartyIdentificationNumberText
●
●
●
●
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
●
●
●
●
Attribute(s):
SeqNum
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the transmitter (35). The <PartyIdentification> element must
be recorded in two separate instances for this party type where the following information is
provided:
o Transmitter Control Code (TCC).
o Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15). The <PartyIdentification>
element must be recorded at least once (but no more than two separate occurrences) for this
party type where the one or both of the following information is provided:
o U.S. TIN (i.e. EIN or SSN/ITIN).
o Foreign identification (i.e. passport, foreign TIN, or other foreign identification)
The party type is associated with the third party preparer (57). The <PartyIdentification>
element must be recorded once where the following information is provided:
o Preparer’s TIN (SSN/ITIN, Foreign, or PTIN).
The party type is associated with the third party preparer firm (56). The <PartyIdentification>
element must be recorded once where the following information is provided:
o Firm’s TIN (EIN or Foreign).
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
The element exceeds the maximum occurrence threshold.
The element is recorded for a party type other than:
o Transmitter (35).
o Foreign account filer (15).
o Third party preparer (57).
o Third party preparer firm (56).
Example:
Transmitter (35) | Party Identification: TIN and TCC
TIN: Number=547898569 / Type=TIN(4) | TCC: Number=PTCC8199 / Type=TCC(28)
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="7">
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>547898569</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>4</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="8">
Activity party type code definitions
35 = Transmitter | 37 = Transmitter Contact | 15 = Foreign Account Filer
57 = Third Party Preparer | 56 = Third Party Preparer Firm
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Element Name:
PartyIdentification
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
2
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>PTCC8199</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>28</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
Foreign Account Filer (15) | Party Identification: U.S. TIN and/or Foreign Identification (passport, foreign
TIN, or other identification) (NOTE: The report must include identification information for the foreign
account filer. If the filer does not have a U.S. TIN, then a foreign identification must be recorded. If the
filer has a U.S. TIN and foreign identification, then both should be recorded.)
Example 1: U.S. TIN: Number=547898569 / Type=SSN/ITIN (1) | Foreign ID: Issuer=CA /
Number=4458985623 / Type=Passport(6)
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="14">
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>547898569</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>1</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="15">
<fc2:OtherIssuerCountryText>CA</fc2:OtherIssuerCountryText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>4458985623</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>6</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
Example 2: U.S. TIN: Number=659852149 / Type=EIN (2) | Foreign ID: Issuer: MX / Description=Retail
store ID / Number=996585326115 / Type=Other(999)
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="14">
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>659852149</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>2</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="15">
<fc2:OtherIssuerCountryText>MX</fc2:OtherIssuerCountryText>
<fc2:OtherPartyIdentificationTypeText>Retail store ID</fc2:OtherPartyIdentificationTypeText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>996585326115</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>999</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
Third Party Preparer (57) | Party Identification: TIN (SSN/ITIN, Foreign, or PTIN)
TIN: Number=457898848 | Type=PTIN(31)
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="22">
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>457898848</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>31</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
Third Party Preparer Firm (56) | Party Identification: TIN (EIN or Foreign)
TIN: Number=487998856212 | Type=Foreign(9)
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="29">
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>487998856212</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>9</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
Element Name:
OtherIssuerCountryText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Identification issuing country (code). This element identifies the country where the foreign identification
(passport, foreign TIN, or other) was issued by (or in) associated with the foreign account filer.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyIdentification
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15) and foreign identification
information is being recorded; otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Country codes must adhere to the two-letter country codes found in ISO 3166-2.
Cannot equal US or a U.S. Territory.
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Element Name:
OtherIssuerCountryText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value that is not a valid ISO 3166-2 country code.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15).
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null) and the
identification type is passport, foreign, or other.
The element contains US or a U.S. Territory code and the identification type is passport,
foreign, or other.
Example:
<fc2:OtherIssuerCountryText>MX</fc2:OtherIssuerCountryText>
Element Name:
OtherPartyIdentificationTypeText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Identification type other description (text). This element identifies the other identification type
associated with the party. This element identifies the other foreign identification type associated with
the foreign account filer.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyIdentification
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the foreign account filer (15) and the
<PartyIdentificationTypeCode> element contains the value “999” (Other); otherwise, do not
record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-50 characters
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded for a party type other than foreign account filer (15).
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value, and <PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
contains ”999” (Other).
The element contains a value and <PartyIdentificationTypeCode> is not equal to ”999”
(Other).
Example:
<fc2:OtherPartyIdentificationTypeText>Other ID description</fc2:OtherPartyIdentificationTypeText>
Element Name:
PartyIdentificationNumberText
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Identification number (text). This element identifies the identification number associated with the party;
specifically, the transmitter [of the batch file], the foreign account filer, the third party preparer (if
recorded), and the third party preparer firm (if a third party preparer is recorded and is not self-
employed).
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyIdentification
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
o For the transmitter (35) party type:
o TCC = 8 characters where the first character begins with “P”
o TIN = 1-25 characters
o For the foreign account filer (15) party type:
o EIN/SSN/ITIN = 9 numeric characters
o Passport = 1-24 characters
o Foreign TIN or Other = 1-25 characters
o For the third party preparer (57) party type:
o SSN/ITIN = 9 numeric characters
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 29
o Foreign TIN or PTIN = 1-25 characters
o For the third party preparer firm (56) party type:
o EIN = 9 numeric characters
o Foreign TIN = 1-25 characters
NOTE: All identification numbers must be entered as a single alpha/numeric text string without
formatting or special characters such as, for example, spaces, hyphens, or periods. Cannot be
consecutive string of the same number or an incremental string such as 123456789
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is not recorded or does not contain value (i.e. the value is null).
The element contains a value not equal to a production TCC and the associated party type is
transmitter (35).
The element contains an invalid number string.
The element contains formatting such as spaces, hyphens, or periods.
Example:
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>658945819</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
Element Name:
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party identification type (code). This element identifies the type of identification associated with the
party; specifically, the transmitter [of the batch file], the foreign account filer, the third party preparer (if
recorded), and the third party preparer firm (if a third party preparer is recorded and is not self-
employed).
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyIdentification
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Identify the identification type by recording the appropriate code for the party types listed
below:
Code
Description
Activity party type code
35
15
57
56
4
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
●
28
Transmitter Control Code (TCC)
●
2
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
●
●
1
Social Security Number (SSN) / Individual Taxpayer
Identification Number (ITIN)
●
●
9
Foreign Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
●
●
●
6
Passport
●
31
Preparer Taxpayer Identification Number (PTIN)
●
999
Other Identification
●
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element does not contain a value equal to one of the approved codes listed above.
There is no U.S. TIN, U.S. TIN type, or foreign identification information provided for the
foreign account filer.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded.
The element contains a value that is not valid for the associated party type.
Example:
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>6</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
Activity party type code definitions
35 = Transmitter | 15 = Foreign Account Filer
57 = Third Party Preparer | 56 = Third Party Preparer Firm
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 30
Account Elements
The <Account> element is the container for information about the foreign account associated with the filer, whether
it be a separately owned account, a jointly owned account, a no financial interest account, or a consolidated report
account. The <Account> element includes information about the account, such as the maximum value or the account
during the calendar year being reported, the financial institution where the account is held, and in the case of a jointly
owned, no financial interest, or consolidated report account, the owner(s) associated with the account.
Element Name:
Account
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
9999
Description:
Account (header). This is the container for information about the foreign account associated with the
filer; specifically, it includes information about the account, the financial institution in which the account
is held, and the owner(s) associated with the account.
The following table describes all possible sub-elements for the Account element and the account type
that each element can be recorded for:
Account element name
Account type code
141
142
143
144
AccountMaximumValueAmountText
●
●
●
●
AccountNumberText
●
●
●
●
AccountTypeCode
●
●
●
●
EFilingAccountTypeCode
●
●
●
●
JointOwnerQuantityText
●
OtherAccountTypeText
●
●
●
●
UnknownMaximumValueIndicator
●
●
●
●
Party *
●
●
●
●
NOTE: The elements marked with an asterisk (*) in the table above contain sub-elements.
Attribute(s):
SeqNum
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. This element must be recorded unless the filer has financial interest in 25 or
more accounts and/or signature authority over (but no financial interest in) 25 or more accounts, in
which case some or all information about the account(s) may be omitted from the report. See
Attachment C – Electronic Filing Instructions for more information regarding how to complete the
FinCEN FBAR when financial interest and/or signature authority is indicated.
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is not recorded and both <FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator> and
<SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator> contain a “N” value.
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
The element exceeds the maximum occurrence threshold.
Example:
Separately owned financial account (code=141) and the financial institution where the account is held
(code=41):
<fc2:Account SeqNum="45">
<fc2:AccountMaximumValueAmountText>25000</fc2:AccountMaximumValueAmountText>
<fc2:AccountNumberText>4453369852116665</fc2:AccountNumberText>
Account type code definitions
141 = Separately Owned Financial Account | 142 = Jointly Owned Financial Account
143 = No Financial Interest Account | 144 = Consolidated Report Account
IMPORTANT ADVISORY: Depending on whether or not the filer has financial interest in 25 or more accounts and/or
signature authority over (but no financial interest in) 25 or more accounts, some or all information about the account(s)
may be omitted from the report. See Attachment C – Electronic Filing Instructions for more information regarding how
to complete the FinCEN FBAR when financial interest and/or signature authority is indicated.
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Element Name:
Account
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
9999
<fc2:AccountTypeCode>1</fc2:AccountTypeCode>
<fc2:EFilingAccountTypeCode>141</fc2:EFilingAccountTypeCode>
<fc2:Party SeqNum="46">
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>41</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="47">
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawPartyFullName>Financial Institution Name</fc2:RawPartyFullName>
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum="48">
<fc2:RawCityText>Ottawa</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>CA</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStateCodeText>ON</fc2:RawStateCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>112233 Maple Street</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>K1G</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
</fc2:Party>
</fc2:Account>
Jointly owned financial account (code=142), the financial institution where the account is held
(code=41), and the principle joint owner (code=42):
<fc2:Account SeqNum="45">
<fc2:AccountMaximumValueAmountText>980000</fc2:AccountMaximumValueAmountText>
<fc2:AccountNumberText>55621569</fc2:AccountNumberText>
<fc2:AccountTypeCode>999</fc2:AccountTypeCode>
<fc2:EFilingAccountTypeCode>142</fc2:EFilingAccountTypeCode>
<fc2:JointOwnerQuantityText>5</fc2:JointOwnerQuantityText>
<fc2:OtherAccountTypeText>Other account type</fc2:OtherAccountTypeText>
<fc2:Party SeqNum="46">
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>41</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="47">
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawPartyFullName>Financial Institution Name</fc2:RawPartyFullName>
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum="48">
<fc2:RawCityText>Acton</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>AU</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>6589 Turner Avenue</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>2601</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
</fc2:Party>
<fc2:Party SeqNum="49">
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>42</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="50">
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>Johnson</fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>
<fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>John</fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum="51">
<fc2:RawCityText>Houston</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>US</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStateCodeText>TX</fc2:RawStateCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>698 Foxhole Avenue</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>77003</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="52">
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>-2</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
</fc2:Party>
</fc2:Account>
Element Name:
AccountMaximumValueAmountText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Account maximum value amount (text). This element identifies the maximum value of the account in
U.S. whole dollars during the calendar year being reported for the FinCEN FBAR.
Attribute(s):
n/a
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Parent Element:
Account
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Unless the filer is exempt from reporting the account information due to having
financial interest in and/or signature authority over (but no financial interest in) 25 or more accounts,
record this element when:
The maximum value for the account is known; otherwise, do not record this element and
instead record the <UnknownMaximumValueIndicator> element with a “Y” value.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-15 numeric characters (without leading zeros) denominated in whole U.S. Dollars
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null) and unknown is
not indicated or <FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator> or
<SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator> does not contain a “Y” value.
The value recorded for the element contains non-numeric characters or leading zeros.
Example:
<fc2:AccountMaximumValueAmountText>980000</fc2:AccountMaximumValueAmountText>
Element Name:
AccountNumberText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Account number (text). This element identifies the account number associated with the foreign account
filer.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Account
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Unless the filer is exempt from reporting the account information due to having
financial interest in and/or signature authority over (but no financial interest in) 25 or more accounts,
this element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-40 characters
NOTE: All account numbers must be entered as a single alpha/numeric text string without formatting or
special characters such as, for example, spaces, hyphens, or periods.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value and
<FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator> or <SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator> does
not contain a “Y” value.
Example:
<fc2:AccountNumberText>55621569</fc2:AccountNumberText>
Element Name:
AccountTypeCode
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Account type (code). This element identifies the account subtype associated with the foreign account
filer.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Account
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Unless the filer is exempt from reporting the account information due to having
financial interest in and/or signature authority over (but no financial interest in) 25 or more accounts,
this element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Identify the account type by recording the appropriate code from the list below:
Code
Description
1
Bank
2
Securities
999
Other
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Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value that is not a valid code.
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value and
<FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator> or <SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator> does
not contain a “Y” value.
Example:
<fc2:AccountTypeCode>999</fc2:AccountTypeCode>
Element Name:
EFilingAccountTypeCode
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Account type classification (code). This element identifies the account type classification associated with
the foreign account filer; specifically, whether it is a separately financial account, jointly owned financial
account, no financial interest account, or consolidated report account.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Account
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Identify the account type classification by recording the appropriate code from the list below:
Code
Description
141
Separately Owned Financial Account
142
Jointly Owned Financial Account
143
No Financial Interest Account
144
Consolidated Report Account
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value that is not a valid code.
Example:
<fc2:EFilingAccountTypeCode>142</fc2:EFilingAccountTypeCode>
Element Name:
JointOwnerQuantityText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Joint Owner Quantity (text). This element identifies the total number of joint owners associated with the
account.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Account
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Unless the filer is exempt from reporting the account information due to having
financial interest in and/or signature authority over (but no financial interest in) 25 or more accounts,
record this element when:
The <EFilingAccountTypeCode> element contains the value “142” (Jointly Owned Financial
Account); otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-3 numeric characters (no leading zeros)
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded and the <EFilingAccountTypeCode> is not equal to ”142” (Jointly
Owned Financial Account).
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value, the <EFilingAccountTypeCode>
contains ”142” (Jointly Owned Financial Account), and
<FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator> or <SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator> does
not contain a “Y” value.
The value recorded for the element contains non-numeric characters or leading zeros.
Example:
<fc2:JointOwnerQuantityText>5</fc2:JointOwnerQuantityText>
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 34
Element Name:
OtherAccountTypeText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Account type other description (text). This element identifies the account type other description
associated with the foreign account filer.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Account
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The <AccountTypeCode> element contains the value “999” (Other); otherwise, do not record
this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-50 characters
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value, and <AccountTypeCode> contains
”999” (Other).
The element contains a value and <AccountTypeCode> is not equal to ”999” (Other).
Example:
<fc2:OtherAccountTypeText>Other account type</fc2:OtherAccountTypeText>
Element Name:
UnknownMaximumValueIndicator
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Account maximum value amount unknown (indicator). This element declares that the account maximum
value amount is unknown.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Account
Element
Restriction(s):
Unless the filer is exempt from reporting the account information due to having financial interest in
and/or signature authority over (but no financial interest in) 25 or more accounts, record this element
when:
The account maximum value amount is unknown; otherwise, don’t record this element.
NOTE: If this element is recorded with a “Y” value, then the
<AccountMaximumValueAmountText> element should not be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Y (to indicate account maximum value amount unknown).
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or null.
The element is recorded with a “Y” value and the <AccountMaximumValueAmountText>
contains a value.
Example:
<fc2:Account SeqNum="45">
<fc2:AccountNumberText>55621569</fc2:AccountNumberText>
<fc2:AccountTypeCode>999</fc2:AccountTypeCode>
<fc2:EFilingAccountTypeCode>142</fc2:EFilingAccountTypeCode>
<fc2:JointOwnerQuantityText>5</fc2:JointOwnerQuantityText>
<fc2:OtherAccountTypeText>Other account type</fc2:OtherAccountTypeText>
<fc2:UnknownMaximumValueIndicator>Y</fc2:UnknownMaximumValueIndicator>
<fc2:Party SeqNum="46">
Element Name:
Party
See Party Elements (Account Level) section for details.
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 35
Party Elements (Account Level)
The <Party> element is the container for information about the individual or entity associated with the FinCEN FBAR.
At the report account level, the <Party> element is used to identify the financial institution where the account is held
and the account owners for the various account types that can be reported on the FinCEN FBAR. At a minimum, each
FinCEN FBAR <Account> element recorded for the FinCEN FBAR must contain a separate <Party> element identifying
each of the following party types: no more than one Financial institution where the account is held (however, if the
filer is exempt from reporting the account information due to having financial interest in and/or signature authority
over (but no financial interest in) 25 or more accounts, the financial institution where the account is held may be
omitted. See Attachment C – Electronic Filing Instructions for more information) and the account owner(s), which may
include one or more owners associated with a jointly owned account, no financial interest account, and/or a
consolidated report account. Once all sub-elements related to the <Party> element are recorded for the <Account>
element, the batch file must include a closing tag for the party (e.g. </Party>).
In this section, all sub-elements associated with the <Party> element are defined; however, when and when not to
record each element is dependent upon the party type (e.g. financial institution where the account is held, principle
joint account owner, etc.) being identified for the <Party> element. It is noted within each element’s description which
party type the element can be recorded for and under what conditions the element should be recorded within the
Element Restriction(s). For a complete summary of required party elements by party type, refer to Section 3.4 – Party
Elements by Party Type.
Element Name:
Party
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
unbounded
Description:
Party (header). This is the container for information about the individual or entity associated with the
foreign financial account; specifically, the financial institution where the account is held, the principle joint
owner associated with a jointly owned financial account, the account owner associated with a no financial
interest account, and the account owner associated with a consolidated report account.
The following table describes all possible sub-elements for the Party element and the party type that
each element can be recorded for:
Party element name
Account party type code
41
42
43
44
ActivityPartyTypeCode
●
●
●
●
PartyAsEntityOrganizationIndicator
●
●
PartyName *
●
●
●
●
Address *
●
●
●
●
PartyIdentification *
●
●
●
NOTE: The elements marked with an asterisk (*) in the table above contain sub-elements.
Attribute(s):
SeqNum
Parent Element:
Account
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party being identified is the financial institution where the account is held. NOTE: No more
than one financial institution where the account is held may be recorded for an account.
The party being identified is the owner of the account and the account type classification is
jointly owned account (142), no financial interest account (143), or consolidated report account
(144). NOTE: Multiple party elements may be recorded for an account when there is more than
one owner of the account.
Account party type code definitions
41 = Financial Institution Where Account is Held | 42 = Principle Joint Owner
43 = No Financial Interest Account Owner | 44 = Consolidated Report Account Owner
IMPORTANT: If the batch file does not conform to the above requirements, it will fail schema validation and the entire batch
submission will be rejected by FinCEN.
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 36
IMPORTANT: If the filer has indicated “Y” (Yes) to having financial interest in 25 or more accounts and/or
signature authority over (but no financial interest in) 25 or more accounts, then certain information about
the account may be omitted from the report. See Attachment C – Electronic Filing Instructions for more
information regarding how to complete the FinCEN FBAR when financial interest and/or signature
authority is indicated.
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
The FinCEN FBAR <Account> element does not include a <Party> element associated with the
financial institution where the account is held and financial interest in 25 or more accounts
and/or signature authority over (but no financial interest in) 25 or more accounts is not
indicated.
Example:
Jointly owned financial account (code=142), the financial institution where the account is held (code=41),
and the principle joint owner (code=42):
<fc2:Account SeqNum="45">
<fc2:AccountMaximumValueAmountText>980000</fc2:AccountMaximumValueAmountText>
<fc2:AccountNumberText>55621569</fc2:AccountNumberText>
<fc2:AccountTypeCode>999</fc2:AccountTypeCode>
<fc2:EFilingAccountTypeCode>142</fc2:EFilingAccountTypeCode>
<fc2:JointOwnerQuantityText>5</fc2:JointOwnerQuantityText>
<fc2:OtherAccountTypeText>Other account type</fc2:OtherAccountTypeText>
<fc2:Party SeqNum="46">
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>41</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="47">
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawPartyFullName>Financial Institution Name</fc2:RawPartyFullName>
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum="48">
<fc2:RawCityText>Acton</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>AU</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>6589 Turner Avenue</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>2601</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
</fc2:Party>
<fc2:Party SeqNum="49">
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>42</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="50">
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>Johnson</fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>
<fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>John</fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum="51">
<fc2:RawCityText>Houston</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>US</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStateCodeText>TX</fc2:RawStateCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>698 Foxhole Avenue</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>77003</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum="52">
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>-2</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
</fc2:Party>
</fc2:Account>
Element Name:
ActivityPartyTypeCode
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party type (code). This element identifies the type of party (i.e. financial institution where account is
held, principle joint owner, etc.) associated with the foreign financial account.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Party
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Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Identify the party type by recording the appropriate code from the list below:
Code
Description
41
Financial Institution Where Account is Held
42
Principle Joint Owner
43
No Financial Interest Account Owner
44
Consolidated Report Account Owner
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted
The element contains a value not equal to one of the approved codes listed above.
Example:
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>41</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
Element Name:
PartyAsEntityOrganizationIndicator
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party as entity (indicator). This element declares that the party is an entity; specifically, whether the
principle joint account owner or the no financial interest account owner is classified as an entity.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The account type is associated with a jointly owned financial account (142) or a no financial
interest account (143) and the owner is an entity; otherwise, do not record this element.
NOTE: This element does not apply to a consolidated report account (144) because the owner
is considered an entity/organization by default.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Y (to indicate person as entity).
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to “Y” or null.
The element is recorded for a party not associated with owner of a jointly owned financial
account (142) or a no financial interest account (143).
Example:
<fc2:PartyAsEntityOrganizationIndicator>Y</fc2:PartyAsEntityOrganizationIndicator>
Element Name:
PartyName
See PartyName Elements (Below) section for details.
Element Name:
Address
See Address Elements (Below) section for details.
Element Name:
PartyIdentification
See PartyIdentification Elements (Below) section for details.
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 38
PartyName Elements
For additional guidance related to name reporting requirements, please refer to the General Instructions (Name
Editing Instructions) located in Attachment C at the end of this guide.
Element Name:
PartyName
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party name (header). This is the container for information about the legal name of the party; specifically,
the financial institution in which the account is held, and the owner(s) associated with the account.
The following table describes all possible sub-elements for the PartyName element and the account
type that each element can be recorded for:
Element name
Account party type code
41
42
43
44
PartyName
●
●
●
●
PartyNameTypeCode
●
●
●
●
RawEntityIndividualLastName
●
●
RawIndividualFirstName
●
●
RawIndividualMiddleName
●
●
RawIndividualNameSuffixText
●
●
RawIndividualTitleText
●
RawPartyFullName
●
●
Attribute(s):
SeqNum
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded for all party types.
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
The element exceeds the maximum occurrence threshold.
Example:
The name of the financial institution where the account is held (code=41):
<fc2:Party SeqNum="46">
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>41</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="47">
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawPartyFullName>Financial Institution Name</fc2:RawPartyFullName>
</fc2:PartyName>
…
</fc2:Party>
The name of the consolidated report account owner (code=44):
<fc2:Party SeqNum="49">
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>44</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="50">
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawPartyFullName>Consolidated report owner name</fc2:RawPartyFullName>
</fc2:PartyName>
…
</fc2:Party>
The name of the no financial interest account owner (code=43):
<fc2:Party SeqNum="49">
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>44</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
Account party type code definitions
41 = Financial Institution Where Account is Held | 42 = Principle Joint Owner
43 = No Financial Interest Account Owner | 44 = Consolidated Report Account Owner
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 39
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum="105">
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>Johnson</fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>
<fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>John</fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>
<fc2:RawIndividualMiddleName>M</fc2:RawIndividualMiddleName>
<fc2:RawIndividualNameSuffixText>III</fc2:RawIndividualNameSuffixText>
<fc2:RawIndividualTitleText>Primary Owner</fc2:RawIndividualTitleText>
</fc2:PartyName>
…
</fc2:Party>
Element Name:
PartyNameTypeCode
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party name type (code). This element identifies the type of name recorded for the party as the legal
name.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must equal:
L (to indicate legal name)
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to “L”.
Example:
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
Element Name:
RawEntityIndividualLastName
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Entity name or individual last name (text). This element identifies the legal name of the entity or last
name of the individual; specifically, the principle joint owner and the no financial interest account
owner.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the principle joint owner (42) or the no financial interest
account owner (43); otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-150 characters.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded for a party not associated with the principle joint owner (42) or the
no financial interest account owner (43).
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null) and the party is
associated with the principle joint owner (42) or the no financial interest account owner (43).
Example:
<fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>Smith</fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>
Element Name:
RawIndividualFirstName
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Individual first name (text). This element identifies the first name of an individual; specifically, the
principle joint owner and the no financial interest account owner.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the principle joint owner (42) or the no financial interest
account owner (43) and the owner is not an entity; otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 40
Element Name:
RawIndividualFirstName
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
1-35 characters.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded for a party not associated with the principle joint owner (42) or the
no financial interest account owner (43).
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null), the party is
associated with the principle joint owner (42) or the no financial interest account owner (43),
and the owner is not an entity.
Example:
<fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>John</fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>
Element Name:
RawIndividualMiddleName
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Individual middle name/initial (text). This element identifies the middle name/initial of the party;
specifically, the principle joint owner and the no financial interest account owner.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the principle joint owner (42) or the no financial interest
account owner (43), the owner is not an entity, and the middle name/initial is available;
otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-35 characters.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded for a party not associated with the principle joint owner (42) or the
no financial interest account owner (43).
Example:
<fc2:RawIndividualMiddleName>M</fc2:RawIndividualMiddleName>
Element Name:
RawIndividualNameSuffixText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Individual suffix name (text). This element identifies the suffix name of the party; specifically, the
principle joint owner and the no financial interest account owner.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The party type is associated with principle joint owner (42) or the no financial interest account
owner (43), the owner is not an entity, and the suffix name is available; otherwise, do not
record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-35 characters
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded for a party not associated with the principle joint owner (42) or the
no financial interest account owner (43).
Example:
<fc2:RawIndividualNameSuffixText>III</fc2:RawIndividualNameSuffixText>
Element Name:
RawIndividualTitleText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Individual filer title for this owner (text). This element identifies the filer’s title for the position which
gives the filer signature authority over the account.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
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Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the no financial interest account owner (43), the filer is not
an entity, and the filer’s title with this owner is available; otherwise, do not record this
element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-35 characters
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded for a party not associated with the no financial interest account
owner (43).
Example:
<fc2:RawIndividualTitleText>Primary Owner</fc2:RawIndividualTitleText>
Element Name:
RawPartyFullName
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party full name (text). This element identifies the full name of the party, specifically, the legal name of
the financial institution in which the account is held, and the owner(s) associated with the consolidated
report account.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyName
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the financial institution in which the account is held (41) or
the consolidated report account owner (44); otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-150 characters.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded for a party not associated with the financial institution in which the
account is held (41) or the consolidated report account owner (44)
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null), the party is
associated with the financial institution in which the account is held (41) or the consolidated
report account owner (44).
Example:
<fc2:RawPartyFullName>Consolidated report owner name</fc2:RawPartyFullName>
Address Elements
For additional guidance related to address reporting requirements, please refer to the General Instructions
(Addresses) located in Attachment C at the end of this guide.
Element Name:
Address
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party address (header). This is the container for information about the address of the party; specifically,
the financial institution in which the account is held and the owner(s) associated with the account.
The following table describes all possible sub-elements for the Address element and the party type that
each element can be recorded for:
Element name
Account party type code
41
42
43
44
Address
●
●
●
●
RawCityText
●
●
●
●
RawCountryCodeText
●
●
●
●
RawStateCodeText
●
●
●
●
Account party type code definitions
41 = Financial Institution Where Account is Held | 42 = Principle Joint Owner
43 = No Financial Interest Account Owner | 44 = Consolidated Report Account Owner
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 42
Element Name:
Address
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
RawStreetAddress1Text
●
●
●
●
RawZIPCode
●
●
●
●
Attribute(s):
SeqNum
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
The element exceeds the maximum occurrence threshold.
Example:
Financial institution where account is held:
<fc2:Address SeqNum="72">
<fc2:RawCityText>Los Puestos Colpes</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>AR</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>321 Cash Road</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>5319</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
Foreign account owner address:
<fc2:Address SeqNum="97">
<fc2:RawCityText>Mexico City</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>MX</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStateCodeText>CMX</fc2:RawStateCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>123 Cash Street</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>03810</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
Element Name:
RawCityText
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
City (text). This element identifies the city associated with the address of the party; specifically, the
financial institution in which the account is held and the owner associated with the account.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Address
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-50 characters
Null (if unavailable)
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted
Example:
<fc2:RawCityText>Mexico City</fc2:RawCityText>
Element Name:
RawCountryCodeText
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Country (code). This element identifies the country associated with the party; specifically, the financial
institution in which the account is held and the owner associated with the account.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Address
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Country codes for the financial institution where the account is held cannot be equal to US or
a U.S. Territory.
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Country codes including U.S. Territory codes must adhere to the two-letter country codes
found in ISO 3166-2.
Null (if unavailable)
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value that is not a valid ISO 3166-2 country code.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
State code and country code mismatch when U.S. territory is recorded for the account owner
(42, 43, or 44) party type.
The element contains US or a U.S. Territory for the financial institution where the account is
held party type.
Example:
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>MX</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
Element Name:
RawStateCodeText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
State/Territory/Province (code). This element identifies the state/territory/province associated with the
address of the party when the corresponding country is equal to US (United States), CA (Canada), MX
(Mexico), or a U.S. Territory; specifically, the financial institution in which the account is held and the
owner associated with the account.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Address
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when:
The party type is associated with the financial institution in which the account is held (41) and
the country is equal to CA or MX; otherwise, do not record this element.
The party type is associated with the foreign account owner (42, 43, or 44) and the country
associated with the owner is equal to US, CA, MX, or a U.S. Territory; otherwise, do not record
this element. NOTE: If the <RawCountryCodeText> element contains a U.S. Territory code for
the owner, then the same U.S. Territory code must be recorded for the <RawStateCodeText>
element also.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
United States state/territory codes must adhere to the two-letter codes used by the United
States Postal Service when the country is equal to US or a U.S. Territory. NOTE: If a U.S.
Territory is recorded for the country, it must also be recorded for the state.
Canadian province/territory codes must adhere to the two-letter codes used by the Canadian
Post Corporation when the country is equal to CA.
Mexican state/federal district codes must adhere to the standards of ISO 3166-2:MX when the
country is equal to MX.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value that is not a valid code.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null) and the
corresponding country is US, CA, MX, or a U.S. Territory.
The element is recorded with a value and the corresponding country is not equal to US, CA,
MX, or a U.S. Territory.
State code and country code mismatch when U.S. territory is recorded.
Example:
<fc2:RawStateCodeText>CMX</fc2:RawStateCodeText>
Element Name:
RawStreetAddress1Text
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Street address (text). This element identifies the street address of the party; specifically, the financial
institution in which the account is held and the owner associated with the account.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Address
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 44
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-100 characters
Null (if unavailable)
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
Example:
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>123 Cash Street</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
Element Name:
RawZIPCode
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
ZIP/Postal Code (text). This element identifies the ZIP Code or foreign postal code associated with the
address of the party; specifically, the financial institution in which the account is held and the owner
associated with the account.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Address
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
For US addresses, including U.S. Territories:
o 5 or 9 numeric character entry.
o 9 numeric character entry cannot end with four zeros or four nines.
o Null (if unavailable).
For non-US addresses:
o 1-9 character entry.
o Null (if unavailable).
NOTE: Do not include punctuation or formatting such as hyphens, periods, and spaces within the value
entry.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null).
The value recorded contains non-numeric characters or is in an invalid format and the
associated country is US or a U.S. Territory.
The value recorded contains special characters or formatting such as hyphens, periods, and
spaces.
Example:
<fc2:RawZIPCode>03810</fc2:RawZIPCode>
PartyIdentification Elements
For additional guidance related to identification reporting requirements, please refer to the General Instructions
(Identification requirements / Identifying numbers) located in Attachment C at the end of this guide.
Element Name:
PartyIdentification
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party identification (header). This is the container for information about the identification associated
with the party; specifically, the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and TIN type for the owner(s)
associated with the account.
The following table describes all possible sub-elements for the PartyIdentification element and the party
type that each element can be recorded for:
Element name
Account party type code
41
42
43
44
PartyIdentification
●
●
●
Account party type code definitions
41 = Financial Institution Where Account is Held | 42 = Principle Joint Owner
43 = No Financial Interest Account Owner | 44 = Consolidated Report Account Owner
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Element Name:
PartyIdentification
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
PartyIdentificationNumberText
●
●
●
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
●
●
●
Attribute(s):
SeqNum
Parent Element:
Party
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded when:
The party type is associated with the principle joint account owner (42), no financial interest
account owner (43), or consolidated report account owner (44).
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
The element exceeds the maximum occurrence threshold.
The element is recorded for the financial institution where the account is held (41).
Example:
The joint account owner foreign TIN:
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum=”19”>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>114587795</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>9</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
The consolidated report account owner EIN:
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum=”40”>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>558985695</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>2</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
Element Name:
PartyIdentificationNumberText
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Identification number (text). This element identifies the TIN number associated with the party account
owner.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyIdentification
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements when the party type is associated with
the:
EIN/SSN/ITIN: 9 numeric characters
Foreign TIN: 1-25 characters
NOTE: All identification numbers must be entered as a single alpha/numeric text string without
formatting or special characters such as, for example, spaces, hyphens, or periods. Cannot be
consecutive string of the same number or an incremental string such as 123456789.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value.
The element contains an invalid number string for a US TIN.
The element contains formatting such as spaces, hyphens, or periods.
Example:
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>114587795</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
Element Name:
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Party identification type (code). This element identifies the type of identification associated with the
party account owner.
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 46
Element Name:
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
PartyIdentification
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Identify the identification type by recording the appropriate code for the account owner party
types listed below:
Code
Description
Account party type code
42
43
44
2
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
●
●
●
1
Social Security Number (SSN) / Individual Taxpayer
Identification Number (ITIN)
●
●
●
9
Foreign Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
●
●
●
-2
Unknown
●
●
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element contains a value not equal to one of the approved codes listed above.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element contains a value that is not valid for the associated party type.
Example:
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>9</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
Foreign Account Activity Elements
Element Name:
ForeignAccountActivity
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Foreign account activity (header). This is the container for information about the FinCEN FBAR;
specifically, the report calendar year, the count of financial interest and/or signature authority accounts
when 25 or more is indicated, and the late filing reason code if the FinCEN FBAR is being filed after the
deadline date.
This element is parent to the following sub-elements:
ForeignAccountHeldQuantityText
LateFilingReasonCode
ReportCalendarYearText
SignatureAuthoritiesQuantityText
Attribute(s):
SeqNum
Parent Element:
Activity
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
Example:
A FinCEN FBAR that is being filed late where the filer has financial interest in 31 foreign accounts and
signature authority over (but no financial interest) in 52 foreign accounts:
<fc2:ForeignAccountActivity SeqNum=”19”>
<fc2:ForeignAccountHeldQuantityText>31</fc2:ForeignAccountHeldQuantityText>
Account party type code definitions
42 = Principle Joint Owner | 43 = No Financial Interest Account Owner
44 = Consolidated Report Account Owner
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 47
<fc2:LateFilingReasonCode>999</fc2:LateFilingReasonCode>
<fc2:ReportCalendarYearText>2016</fc2:ReportCalendarYearText>
<fc2:SignatureAuthoritiesQuantityText>52</fc2:SignatureAuthoritiesQuantityText>
</fc2:ForeignAccountActivity>
A FinCEN FBAR that is being filed on time where the filer does not have financial interest or signature
authority over (but no financial interest) in 25 or more foreign accounts:
<fc2:ForeignAccountActivity SeqNum=”19”>
<fc2:ReportCalendarYearText>2016</fc2:ReportCalendarYearText>
</fc2:ForeignAccountActivity>
Element Name:
ForeignAccountHeldQuantityText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Financial interest account quantity (text). This element identifies the total number of accounts
associated with the filer if it is declared that the filer has financial interest in 25 or more foreign financial
accounts.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
ForeignAccountActivity
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The <FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator> element contains a “Y” value;
otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-4 numeric characters (without leading zeros)
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null) and financial
interest in 25 or more accounts is indicated.
The value recorded for the element contains non-numeric characters or leading zeros.
The value recorded for the number of financial interest accounts is less than 25.
Example:
<fc2:ForeignAccountHeldQuantityText>31</fc2:ForeignAccountHeldQuantityText>
Element Name:
LateFilingReasonCode
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Late filing reason (code). This element declares the reason why the FinCEN FBAR is being filed late.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Activity
Element
Restriction(s):
Record this element when the FinCEN FBAR is being filed late; otherwise, do not record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
Identify the late reason by recording the appropriate code from the list below:
Code
Description
1
Forgot to File
2
Did not know that I had to file
3
Thought account balance was below reporting threshold
4
Did not know that my account qualified as foreign
5
Account statement not received in time
6
Account statement lost (replacement requested)
7
Late receiving missing required account information
8
Unable to obtain joint spouse signature in time
9
Unable to access BSA E-Filing System
999
Other
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 48
The element contains a value not equal to one of the approved codes listed above.
Example:
<fc2:LateFilingReasonCode>999</fc2:LateFilingReasonCode>
Element Name:
ReportCalendarYearText
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Report calendar year (text). The element identifies the calendar year being reported for the FinCEN
FBAR.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
Activity
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
4 numeric characters in the format CCYY where CC=century (i.e. 19 or 20) and YY=year.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or the start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is recorded but does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null).
The value recorded for the element is not in the correct format (CCYY).
The value recorded for the calendar year is greater than the current year or does not begin
with “19” or “20”.
Example:
<fc2:ReportCalendarYearText>2016</fc2:ReportCalendarYearText>
Element Name:
SignatureAuthoritiesQuantityText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Signature authority account quantity (text). This element identifies the total number of accounts
associated with the filer if it is declared that the filer has signature authority over (but no financial
interest in) 25 or more foreign financial accounts.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
ForeignAccountActivity
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The <SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator> element contains a “Y” value; otherwise, do not record
this element.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-4 numeric characters (without leading zeros)
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null) and signature
authority over (but no financial interest in) 25 or more accounts is indicated.
The value recorded for the element contains non-numeric characters or leading zeros.
The value recorded for the number of financial interest accounts is less than 25.
Example:
<fc2:SignatureAuthoritiesQuantityText>52</fc2:SignatureAuthoritiesQuantityText>
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 49
Activity Narrative Information Elements
Element Name:
ActivityNarrativeInformation
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Late filing reason other description (header). This is the container for the late filing reason other
description.
This element is parent to the following sub-elements:
ActivityNarrativeSequenceNumber
ActivityNarrativeText
Attribute(s):
SeqNum
Parent Element:
Activity
Element
Restriction(s):
Conditionally Required. Record this element when:
The <LateFilingReasonCode> element contains the value “999” (Other); otherwise, do not
record this element.
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
The element is missing a “SeqNum” attribute.
The element contains a “SeqNum” attribute with a duplicate or invalid value.
Example:
<fc2:ActivityNarrativeInformation SeqNum=”45”>
<fc2:ActivityNarrativeSequenceNumber>1</fc2:ActivityNarrativeSequenceNumber>
<fc2:ActivityNarrativeText>Description of the late filing reason</fc2:ActivityNarrativeText>
</fc2:ActivityNarrativeInformation>
Element Name:
ActivityNarrativeSequenceNumber
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Late filing reason sequence number (text). This element is for FinCEN purposes only.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
ActivityNarrativeInformation
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded (when the <ActivityNarrativeInformation> is recorded)
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must equal 1.
Remarks:
The batch submission will be rejected if any of the following conditions are true:
The element start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly formatted.
Example:
<fc2:ActivityNarrativeSequenceNumber>1</fc2:ActivityNarrativeSequenceNumber>
Element Name:
ActivityNarrativeText
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Late filing reason other description (text). The element identifies the detailed explanation as to why the
FinCEN FBAR is being filed late.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
ActivityNarrativeInformation
Element
Restriction(s):
Required. This element must be recorded (when the <ActivityNarrativeInformation> is recorded)
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided must adhere to the following requirements:
1-4000 characters
Remarks:
The batch submission will be accepted with warning if any of the following conditions are true:
The element is not recorded or does not contain a value (i.e. the value is null) and the
<LateFilingReasonCode> element contains the value “999” (Other).
The element is recorded with a value and the <LateFilingReasonCode> element does not
contain the value “999” (Other).
Example:
<fc2:ActivityNarrativeText>Description of the late filing reason</fc2:ActivityNarrativeText>
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 50
3.4. Party Elements by Party Type
The <Party> element is comprised of various elements and sub-elements that apply to specific party types. There are
two categories of party types for the FinCEN FBAR: Party types at the <Activity> element level (i.e. the transmitter,
transmitter contact, foreign account filer, third party preparer, and third party preparer firm) and party types at the
<Account> element level (i.e. the financial institution where the account is held and the account owner(s)).
Activity Level
Each FinCEN FBAR in the batch file must contain a <Party> element associated with the transmitter of the batch file.
The transmitter contact, and the foreign account filer. Additionally, separate <Party> elements associated with a third
party preparer and, if applicable, the third party preparer firm, may also be recorded for the FinCEN FBAR. The
following table identifies which party elements may be recorded for each activity level party type.
Party element name
Max
Occurs
Party type codes
35
37
15
57
56
<ActivityPartyTypeCode/>
1
●
●
●
●
●
<FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator/>
1
●
<FilerTypeConsolidatedIndicator/>
1
●
<FilerTypeCorporationIndicator/>
1
●
<FilerTypeFiduciaryOtherIndicator/>
1
●
<FilerTypeIndividualIndicator/>
1
●
<FilerTypeOtherText/>
1
●
<FilerTypePartnershipIndicator/>
1
●
<IndividualBirthDateText/>
1
●
<SelfEmployedIndicator/>
1
●
<SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator/>
1
●
<PartyName SeqNum=””>
1
●
●
●
●
●
<PartyNameTypeCode/>
1
●
●
●
●
●
<RawEntityIndividualLastName/>
1
●
●
<RawIndividualFirstName/>
1
●
●
<RawIndividualMiddleName/>
1
●
●
<RawIndividualNameSuffixText/>
1
●
<RawIndividualTitleText/>
1
●
<RawPartyFullName/>
1
●
●
●
</PartyName>
-
●
●
●
●
●
<Address SeqNum=””>
1
●
●
●
<RawCityText/>
1
●
●
●
<RawCountryCodeText/>
1
●
●
●
<RawStateCodeText/>
1
●
●
●
<RawStreetAddress1Text/>
1
●
●
●
<RawZIPCode/>
1
●
●
●
</Address>
-
●
●
●
<PhoneNumber SeqNum=””>
1
●
●
<PhoneNumberExtensionText/>
1
●
<PhoneNumberText/>
1
●
●
</PhoneNumber>
-
●
●
<PartyIdentification SeqNum=””>
2
●
●
●
●
<OtherIssuerCountryText/>
1
●
<OtherPartyIdentificationTypeText/>
1
●
Activity party type code definitions
35 = Transmitter | 37 = Transmitter Contact | 15 = Foreign Account Filer
57 = Third Party Preparer | 56 = Third Party Preparer Firm
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 51
<PartyIdentificationNumberText/>
1
●
●
●
●
<PartyIdentificationTypeCode/>
1
●
●
●
●
</PartyIdentification>
-
●
●
●
●
Transmitter Party Requirements
Each FinCEN FBAR in the batch file must contain one <Party> element associated with the batch file transmitter (the
person or entity handling the data accumulation and formatting). To identify a party as the transmitter of the batch
file, the <ActivityPartyTypeCode> element associated with the party must contain the value “35” and only the
elements that apply to this party type should be recorded (see sample below).
Party Type
Transmitter
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Example:
<fc2:Party SeqNum=”3”>
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>35</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum=”4”>
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawPartyFullName>Transmitter Legal Name</fc2:RawPartyFullName>
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum=”5”>
<fc2:RawCityText>Vienna</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>US</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStateCodeText>VA</fc2:RawStateCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>123 Address Road</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>22102</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
<fc2:PhoneNumber SeqNum=”6”>
<fc2:PhoneNumberText>7039991234</fc2:PhoneNumberText>
</fc2:PhoneNumber>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum=”7”>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>547898569</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>4</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum=”8”>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>PTCC1234</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>28</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
</fc2:Party>
Notes:
Two occurrences of the <PartyIdentification> element must be recorded for the transmitter party type (as
displayed in the sample above) in order to identify the transmitter’s Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN, type
code “4”) and Transmitter Control Code (TCC, type code “28”).
Transmitter Contact Party Requirements
Each FinCEN FBAR in the batch file must contain one <Party> element associated with the official contact for the
transmitter. To identify a party as the official contact for the transmitter, the <ActivityPartyTypeCode> element
associated with the party must contain the value “37” and only the elements that apply to this party type should be
recorded (see sample below).
Party Type
Transmitter contact
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Example:
<fc2:Party SeqNum=”9”>
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>37</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum=”10”>
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawPartyFullName>Transmitter Contact Name</fc2:RawPartyFullName>
</fc2:PartyName>
</fc2:Party>
Notes:
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 52
Foreign Account Filer Party Requirements
Each FinCEN FBAR in the batch file must contain one <Party> element associated with the foreign account filer. To
identify a party as the foreign account filer, the <ActivityPartyTypeCode> element associated with the party must
contain the value “15” and only the elements that apply to this party type should be recorded (see sample below).
Party Type
Foreign account filer
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Example:
<fc2:Party SeqNum=”19”>
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>15</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator>N</fc2:FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccountIndicator>
<fc2:FilerTypeIndividualIndicator>Y</fc2:FilerTypeIndividualIndicator>
<fc2:IndividualBirthDateText>19700515</fc2:IndividualBirthDateText>
<fc2:SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator>N</fc2:SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum=”20”>
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>Johnson</fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>
<fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>John</fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>
<fc2:RawIndividualMiddleName>Martin</fc2:RawIndividualMiddleName>
<fc2:RawIndividualNameSuffixText>Sr.</fc2:RawIndividualNameSuffixText>
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum=”21”>
<fc2:RawCityText>Detroit</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>US</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStateCodeText>MI</fc2:RawStateCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>555 Rock Avenue</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>48127</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum=”22”>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>115478895</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>1</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum=”23”>
<fc2:OtherIssuerCountryText>MX</fc2:OtherIssuerCountryText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>55881266698547</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>9</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
</fc2:Party>
Notes:
Two occurrences of the <PartyIdentification> element are recorded in the above example to identify the foreign
account filer’s U.S. TIN and foreign identification. However, the foreign account filer will provide only one type of
identification, which must be a U.S. TIN if one is available. A foreign identification will be reported only when the
foreign account filer has no U.S. TIN.
Third Party Preparer Party Requirements
Each FinCEN FBAR in the batch may contain one <Party> element associated with a third party preparer (if
applicable). To identify a party as the third party preparer, the <ActivityPartyTypeCode> element associated with the
party must contain the value “57” and only the elements that apply to this party type should be recorded (see sample
below).
Party Type
Third party preparer
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Example:
<fc2:Party SeqNum=”27”>
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>57</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:SelfEmployedIndicator>Y</fc2:SelfEmployedIndicator>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum=”28”>
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>Jordan</fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>
<fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>Kate</fc2:RawIndividualFirstName>
<fc2:RawIndividualMiddleName>P</fc2:RawIndividualMiddleName>
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum=”29”>
<fc2:RawCityText>Rockville</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>US</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStateCodeText>MD</fc2:RawStateCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>897 Falling Tree Way</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>20899</fc2:RawZIPCode>
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 53
</fc2:Address>
<fc2:PhoneNumber SeqNum=”30”>
<fc2:PhoneNumberExtensionText>54</fc2:PhoneNumberExtensionText>
<fc2:PhoneNumberText>4875896521</fc2:PhoneNumberText>
</fc2:PhoneNumber>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum=”31”>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>558898745</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>31</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
</fc2:Party>
Notes:
Third Party Preparer Firm Party Requirements
Each FinCEN FBAR in the batch may contain one <Party> element associated with a third party preparer firm (if a third
party preparer is identified as not self-employed). To identify a party as the third party preparer firm, the
<ActivityPartyTypeCode> element associated with the party must contain the value “56” and only the elements that
apply to this party type should be recorded (see sample below).
Party Type
Third party preparer firm
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Example:
<fc2:Party SeqNum=”98”>
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>56</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum=”99”>
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawPartyFullName>Joe’s Preparing Firm</fc2:RawPartyFullName>
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum=”100”>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>123658984</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>2</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
</fc2:Party>
Notes:
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 54
Account level
Unless the filer is exempt from reporting the account information due to having financial interest in and/or signature
authority over (but no financial interest in) 25 or more accounts, each FinCEN FBAR in the batch file must contain at
least one <Account> element associated with a foreign account, whether it be a separately owned account, a jointly
owned account, a no financial interest account, or a consolidated report account. If a foreign account is recorded for
the FinCEN FBAR, then a <Party> element associated with the financial institution where the account is held (no more
than one per account) and with the exception of a separately owned account, a separate <Party> element for each
account owner for the account should be recorded (unless the filer is exempt due to having financial interest in
and/or signature authority over 25 or more accounts). The following table identifies which party elements may be
recorded for each account level party type.
Party element name
Max
Occurs
Party type codes
41
42
43
44
<ActivityPartyTypeCode/>
1
●
●
●
●
<PartyAsEntityOrganizationIndicator/>
1
●
●
<PartyName SeqNum=””>
1
●
●
●
●
<PartyNameTypeCode/>
1
●
●
●
●
<RawEntityIndividualLastName/>
1
●
●
<RawIndividualFirstName/>
1
●
●
<RawIndividualMiddleName/>
1
●
●
<RawIndividualNameSuffixText/>
1
●
●
<RawIndividualTitleText/>
1
●
<RawPartyFullName/>
1
●
●
</PartyName>
-
●
●
●
●
<Address SeqNum=””>
1
●
●
●
●
<RawCityText/>
1
●
●
●
●
<RawCountryCodeText/>
1
●
●
●
●
<RawStateCodeText/>
1
●
●
●
●
<RawStreetAddress1Text/>
1
●
●
●
●
<RawZIPCode/>
1
●
●
●
●
</Address>
-
●
●
●
●
<PartyIdentification SeqNum=””>
1
●
●
●
<PartyIdentificationNumberText/>
1
●
●
●
<PartyIdentificationTypeCode/>
1
●
●
●
</PartyIdentification>
-
●
●
●
Account party type code definitions
41 = Financial Institution Where Account is Held | 42 = Principle Joint Owner
43 = No Financial Interest Account Owner | 44 = Consolidated Report Account Owner
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Financial Institution Where Account is Held Party Requirements
Each account recorded in the FinCEN FBAR must include a <Party> element associated with the financial institution
where the account is held (unless the filer is exempt from reporting the account information due to having financial
interest in and/or signature authority over 25 or more accounts). There can only be one <Party> element associated
with the financial institution where the account is held for each <Account> element. To identify a party as the
financial institution where the account is held, the <ActivityPartyTypeCode> element associated with the party must
contain the value “41” and only the elements that apply to this party type should be recorded (see sample below).
Party Type
Financial institution where account is held
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Example:
<fc2:Account SeqNum=”86”>
<fc2:AccountMaximumValueAmountText>35000</fc2:AccountMaximumValueAmountText>
<fc2:AccountNumberText>457899985622156</fc2:AccountNumberText>
<fc2:AccountTypeCode>1</fc2:AccountTypeCode>
<fc2:EFilingAccountTypeCode>142</fc2:EfilingAccountTypeCode>
<fc2:JointOwnerQuantityText>10</fc2:JointOwnerQuantityText>
<fc2:Party SeqNum=”87”>
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>41</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum=”88”>
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawPartyFullName>Chester Bank and Trust</fc2:RawPartyFullName>
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum=”89”>
<fc2:RawCityText>Chester</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>CA</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStateCodeText>NS</fc2:RawStateCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>14 Middlespring Road</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>B0J1J0</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
</fc2:Party>
Notes:
If the financial institution is located in Canada or Mexico, record the state/territory/province in the
<RawStateCodeText> element. However, if the financial institution is in a different foreign country then the
<RawStateCodeText> element should not be recorded (see example below):
<fc2:Address SeqNum=”89”>
<fc2:RawCityText>Copenhagen</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>DK</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>47 Snowfall Way</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>2720</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
Account Owner Party Requirements
Each account recorded in the FinCEN FBAR (with the exception of a separately owned account) must include at least
one <Party> element associated with the owner of the account. To identify a party as the account owner, the
<ActivityPartyTypeCode> element associated with the party must contain one of the following codes:
42 = Joint account owner
43 = No financial interest account owner
44 = Consolidated report account owner
Party Type
Account owner
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
Unbounded
Example:
<fc2:Account SeqNum=”86”>
<fc2:AccountMaximumValueAmountText>35000</fc2:AccountMaximumValueAmountText>
<fc2:AccountNumberText>457899985622156</fc2:AccountNumberText>
<fc2:AccountTypeCode>1</fc2:AccountTypeCode>
<fc2:EfilingAccountTypeCode>142</fc2:EfilingAccountTypeCode>
<fc2:JointOwnerQuantityText>10</fc2:JointOwnerQuantityText>
<fc2:Party SeqNum=”87”>
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>41</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum=”88”>
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawPartyFullName>Chester Bank and Trust</fc2:RawPartyFullName>
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum=”89”>
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<fc2:RawCityText>Chester</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>CA</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStateCodeText>NS</fc2:RawStateCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>14 Middlespring Road</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>B0J1J0</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
</fc2:Party>
<fc2:Party SeqNum=”90”>
<fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>42</fc2:ActivityPartyTypeCode>
<fc2:PartyName SeqNum=”91”>
<fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>L</fc2:PartyNameTypeCode>
<fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>Entity Name</fc2:RawEntityIndividualLastName>
</fc2:PartyName>
<fc2:Address SeqNum=”92”>
<fc2:RawCityText>Vienna</fc2:RawCityText>
<fc2:RawCountryCodeText>US</fc2:RawCountryCodeText>
<fc2:RawStateCodeText>VA</fc2:RawStateCodeText>
<fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>987 Speed Way</fc2:RawStreetAddress1Text>
<fc2:RawZIPCode>66589</fc2:RawZIPCode>
</fc2:Address>
<fc2:PartyIdentification SeqNum=”93”>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>887458998</fc2:PartyIdentificationNumberText>
<fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>2</fc2:PartyIdentificationTypeCode>
</fc2:PartyIdentification>
</fc2:Party>
</fc2:Account>
Notes:
The sample above is for a jointly owned account (142) with one owner (in addition to the filer). Additional owners
may be recorded under additional <Party> elements.
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4. FinCEN FBAR XML Acknowledgement Format
The FinCEN FBAR XML batch acknowledgement file defined below is provided in XML format. The acknowledgement
file will contain a BSA Identifier and any corresponding acknowledgement errors associated with each FinCEN FBAR
<Activity> element received in the batch submission. Please visit
https://www.fincen.gov/sites/default/files/schema/base/EFL_BatchAcknowledgementSchema.xsd to access the FinCEN
XML 2.0 batch acknowledgement schema file.
4.1. XML File Structure
XML declaration/prolog
The XML declaration appears on the first line of the acknowledgement file.
Element Name:
?xml
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
XML declaration/prolog. This is the XML declaration which specifies the XML version and character
encoding used in the file.
Attribute(s):
version. The version number of the XML. The value recorded will be “1.0”
encoding. The character encoding used for the XML. The value recorded will be “UTF-8”
Parent Element:
n/a
Element
Restriction(s)
This declaration will always be recorded on the first line of the file.
Value Restriction(s):
The value provided will be:
<?xml version=”1.0” encoding=”UTF-8”?>
Remarks:
none
Example:
<?xml version=”1.0” encoding=”UTF-8”?>
EFilingBatchXML
The <EFilingBatchXML> element is the first element recorded in the file and is considered the root element.
Element Name:
EFilingBatchXML
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Batch acknowledgement (header). This is the container for the contents of the batch acknowledgement file.
This element is parent to the following sub-element:
EFilingSubmissionXML *
NOTE: Elements marked with an asterisk * contain sub-elements.
Attribute(s):
StatusCode (this will have a value of “A” to indicate “Acknowledged”)
SeqNum (this is a sequential number assigned by FinCEN to identify the corresponding element in the
associated batch file)
Parent Element:
n/a (this is the root element in the acknowledgment file)
Element
Restriction(s)
This element will always be recorded.
Value
Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
none
Example:
<?xml version=”1.0” encoding=”UTF-8”?>
<EFilingBatchXML StatusCode="A" SeqNum=”1”>
<EFilingSubmissionXML StatusCode="A" SeqNum=”1”>
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<EFilingActivityXML SeqNum=”1”>
<BSAID>31000000000001</BSAID>
<EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”>
<ErrorContextText>EFilingBatchXML/Activity[1]/Party[3]/Address[1]/RawStateCodeText</ErrorContex
tText>
<ErrorElementNameText>RawStateCodeText</ErrorElementNameText>
<ErrorLevelText>WARN</ErrorLevelText>
<ErrorText>The element is not recorded or does not contain a value and the associated country is
US, CA, MX, or a U.S. Territory.</ErrorText>
<ErrorTypeCode>C33</ErrorTypeCode>
</EFilingActivityErrorXML>
</EFilingActivityXML>
<EFilingActivityXML SeqNum=”2”>
<BSAID>31000000000002</BSAID>
<EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”/>
</EFilingActivityXML>
<EFilingActivityXML SeqNum=”3”>
<BSAID>31000000000003</BSAID>
<EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”>
<ErrorContextText>EFilingBatchXML/Activity[3]/Account[3]/Party[1]/PartyIdentification[1]/
PartyIdentificationNumberText</ErrorContextText>
<ErrorElementNameText>PartyIdentificationNumberText</ErrorElementNameText>
<ErrorLevelText>WARN</ErrorLevelText>
<ErrorText>The TIN contains formatting such as spaces, hyphens, or periods.</ErrorText>
<ErrorTypeCode>E33</ErrorTypeCode>
</EFilingActivityErrorXML>
<EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”2”>
<ErrorContextText>EFilingBatchXML/Activity[3]/Account[9]/Party[2]/Address[1]/
RawCountryCodeText</ErrorContextText>
<ErrorElementNameText>RawCountryCodeText</ErrorElementNameText>
<ErrorLevelText>WARN</ErrorLevelText>
<ErrorText> The element is not recorded or does not contain a value.</ErrorText>
<ErrorTypeCode>E22</ErrorTypeCode>
</EFilingActivityErrorXML>
</EFilingActivityXML>
</EFilingSubmissionXML>
</EFilingBatchXML>
EFilingSubmissionXML
The <EFilingSubmissionXML> element directly follows the <EFilingBatchXML> root element. This element is for
FinCEN use only.
Element Name:
EFilingSubmissionXML
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Submission acknowledgement (header). This is the container for all FinCEN FBAR <Activity> elements
recorded in the associated batch submission.
This element is parent to the following sub-element:
EFilingActivityXML *
NOTE: Elements marked with an asterisk * contain sub-elements.
Attribute(s):
StatusCode (this will have a value of “A” to indicate “Acknowledged”)
SeqNum (this is a sequential number assigned by FinCEN)
Parent Element:
EFilingBatchXML
Element
Restriction(s):
This element will always be recorded.
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
This element is for FinCEN use only.
Example:
<EFilingSubmissionXML StatusCode="A" SeqNum=”1”>
<EFilingActivityXML SeqNum=”1”>
…
</EFilingActivityXML>
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</EFilingSubmissionXML>
EFilingActivityXML
Each <EFilingActivityXML> element in the batch acknowledgement file corresponds with each FinCEN FBAR
<Activity> element recorded in the original batch submission along with the sequence number (SeqNum) attribute
value.
Element Name:
EFilingActivityXML
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
unbounded
Description:
Activity acknowledgement (header). This is the container for acknowledgement information for each
FinCEN FBAR <Activity> element recorded in the associated batch submission.
This element is parent to the following sub-elements:
BSAID
EFilingActivityErrorXML *
NOTE: Elements marked with an asterisk * contain sub-elements.
Attribute(s):
SeqNum (this sequential number matches the value recorded in the associated batch submission)
Parent Element:
EFilingSubmissionXML
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
none
Example:
<EFilingActivityXML SeqNum=”1”>
<BSAID>31000000000001</BSAID>
<EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”>
…
</EFilingActivityErrorXML>
</EFilingActivityXML>
Element Name:
BSAID
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Activity acknowledgement BSA Identifier (text). This element identifies the BSA Identifier (BSA ID)
assigned by FinCEN to the FinCEN FBAR document.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
EFilingActivityXML
Value Restriction(s):
14 characters (numeric only)
Remarks:
none
Example:
<BSA ID>31000000045896</BSA ID>
EFilingActivityErrorXML
There will be at least one <EFilingActivityErrorXML> element for each <EFilingActivityXML> element in the batch
acknowledgement file.
Element Name:
EFilingActivityErrorXML
minOccurs:
1
maxOccurs:
unbounded
Description:
Activity acknowledgement error (header). This is the container for error information generated during
processing of the associated batch submission related to the FinCEN FBAR activity.
This element is parent to the following sub-elements:
ErrorContextText
ErrorElementNameText
ErrorLevelText
ErrorText
ErrorTypeCode
Attribute(s):
SeqNum (this is a sequential number assigned by FinCEN)
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Parent Element:
EFilingActivityXML
Value Restriction(s):
n/a
Remarks:
There will be one occurrence of this element for each error generated for the FinCEN FBAR activity in
the batch. If there are no errors identified for the FinCEN FBAR activity, then this element will be
recorded with a self-closing tag (e.g. <EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”/>).
Example:
<EFilingActivityXML SeqNum=”2”>
<BSAID>31000000000002</BSAID>
<EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”/>
</EFilingActivityXML>
<EFilingActivityXML SeqNum=”3”>
<BSAID>31000000000003</BSAID>
<EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”>
<ErrorContextText>EFilingBatchXML/Activity[3]/Account[3]/Party[1]/PartyIdentification[1]/
PartyIdentificationNumberText</ErrorContextText>
<ErrorElementNameText>PartyIdentificationNumberText</ErrorElementNameText>
<ErrorLevelText>WARN</ErrorLevelText>
<ErrorText>The TIN contains formatting such as spaces, hyphens, or periods.</ErrorText>
<ErrorTypeCode>E33</ErrorTypeCode>
</EFilingActivityErrorXML>
<EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”2”>
<ErrorContextText>EFilingBatchXML/Activity[3]/Account[9]/Party[2]/Address[1]/
RawCountryCodeText</ErrorContextText>
<ErrorElementNameText>RawCountryCodeText</ErrorElementNameText>
<ErrorLevelText>WARN</ErrorLevelText>
<ErrorText>The element is not recorded or does not contain a value.</ErrorText>
<ErrorTypeCode>E22</ErrorTypeCode>
</EFilingActivityErrorXML>
</EFilingActivityXML>
Element Name:
ErrorContextText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Acknowledgement error type (text). This element identifies the element location (within the associated
batch submission) that triggered the error by identifying the name and sequence number of the
element’s immediate <Parent> element through the <EFilingBatchXML> element.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
EFilingActivityErrorXML
Value Restriction(s):
1-4000 characters, beginning with the EFilingBatchXML element followed by the parent element of each
element leading to the element that triggered the error. Each element in this chain is separated by a
slash (“/”) and includes the associated SeqNum value recorded within brackets. For example, Activity[12]
is associated with the Activity element where its SeqNum value is recorded as ”12” in the input batch).
Remarks:
If there are no errors identified for the FinCEN FBAR activity, then the <EFilingActivityErrorXML>
element will be recorded with a self-closing tag (e.g. <EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”/>) and this
element will not be recorded.
Example:
<ErrorContextText>EFilingBatchXML/Activity[3]/Account[3]/Party[1]/PartyIdentification[1]/
PartyIdentificationNumberText</ErrorContextText>
Element Name:
ErrorElementNameText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Element acknowledgement error association (text). This element identifies the element name from the
associated batch submission that triggered the error.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
EFilingActivityErrorXML
Value Restriction(s):
1-512 characters
Remarks:
If there are no errors identified for the FinCEN FBAR activity, then the <EFilingActivityErrorXML>
element will be recorded with a self-closing tag (e.g. <EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”/>) and this
element will not be recorded.
Example:
<ErrorElementNameText>IndividualBirthDateText</ErrorElementNameText>
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Element Name:
ErrorLevelText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Acknowledgement error severity level (text). This element identifies the level of severity associated with
the error.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
EFilingActivityErrorXML
Value Restriction(s):
1-50 characters
Remarks:
If there are no errors identified for the FinCEN FBAR activity, then the <EFilingActivityErrorXML>
element will be recorded with a self-closing tag (e.g. <EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”/>) and this
element will not be recorded.
Example:
<ErrorLevelText>WARN</ErrorLevelText>
Element Name:
ErrorText
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Acknowledgement error description (text). This element identifies the description of the error.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
EFilingActivityErrorXML
Value Restriction(s):
1-525 characters
Remarks:
If there are no errors identified for the FinCEN FBAR activity, then the <EFilingActivityErrorXML>
element will be recorded with a self-closing tag (e.g. <EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”/>) and this
element will not be recorded.
Example:
<ErrorText>The element is not recorded or does not contain a value.</ErrorText>
Element Name:
ErrorTypeCode
minOccurs:
0
maxOccurs:
1
Description:
Acknowledgement error type (code). This element identifies the code associated with the error.
Attribute(s):
n/a
Parent Element:
EFilingActivityErrorXML
Value Restriction(s):
1-50 characters
Remarks:
If there are no errors identified for the FinCEN FBAR activity, then the <EFilingActivityErrorXML>
element will be recorded with a self-closing tag (e.g. <EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”/>) and this
element will not be recorded.
Example:
<ErrorTypeCode>E22</ErrorTypeCode>
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4.2. Acknowledgement XML Example
The following is a sample FinCEN FBAR acknowledgement XML generated by FinCEN and delivered to the batch filer.
File type
FinCEN FBAR Batch Acknowledgement XML (Sample)
Example:
<?xml version=”1.0” encoding=”UTF-8”?>
<EFilingBatchXML StatusCode="A" SeqNum=”1”>
<EFilingSubmissionXML StatusCode="A" SeqNum=”1”>
<EFilingActivityXML SeqNum=”1”>
<BSAID>31000000000001</BSAID>
<EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”>
<ErrorContextText>EFilingBatchXML/Activity[1]/Party[3]/Address[1]/RawStateCodeText</ErrorContextText
>
<ErrorElementNameText>RawStateCodeText</ErrorElementNameText>
<ErrorLevelText>WARN</ErrorLevelText>
<ErrorText>The element is not recorded or does not contain a value and the associated country is US, CA,
MX, or a U.S. Territory.</ErrorText>
<ErrorTypeCode>C33</ErrorTypeCode>
</EFilingActivityErrorXML>
</EFilingActivityXML>
<EFilingActivityXML SeqNum=”2”>
<BSAID>31000000000002</BSAID>
<EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”/>
</EFilingActivityXML>
<EFilingActivityXML SeqNum=”3”>
<BSAID>31000000000003</BSAID>
<EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”1”>
<ErrorContextText>EFilingBatchXML/Activity[3]/Account[3]/Party[1]/PartyIdentification[1]/
PartyIdentificationNumberText</ErrorContextText>
<ErrorElementNameText>PartyIdentificationNumberText</ErrorElementNameText>
<ErrorLevelText>WARN</ErrorLevelText>
<ErrorText>The TIN contains formatting such as spaces, hyphens, or periods.</ErrorText>
<ErrorTypeCode>E33</ErrorTypeCode>
</EFilingActivityErrorXML>
<EFilingActivityErrorXML SeqNum=”2”>
<ErrorContextText>EFilingBatchXML/Activity[3]/Account[9]/Party[2]/Address[1]/
RawCountryCodeText</ErrorContextText>
<ErrorElementNameText>RawCountryCodeText</ErrorElementNameText>
<ErrorLevelText>WARN</ErrorLevelText>
<ErrorText> The element is not recorded or does not contain a value.</ErrorText>
<ErrorTypeCode>E22</ErrorTypeCode>
</EFilingActivityErrorXML>
</EFilingActivityXML>
</EFilingSubmissionXML>
</EFilingBatchXML>
Notes:
The sample above consists of three (3) FinCEN FBAR activities based on the original FinCEN FBAR batch
submission:
Each FinCEN FBAR from the original batch submission is associated with a <EFilingActivityXML> element.
Each FinCEN FBAR receives a unique BSA Identifier (BSA ID).
FinCEN FBAR (BSA ID: 31000000000001) contains one error (ErrorTypeCode=C33)
FinCEN FBAR (BSA ID: 31000000000002) contains no errors
FinCEN FBAR (BSA ID: 31000000000003) contains two errors (ErrorTypeCode=E33, E22)
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Attachment A – Error Descriptions
The following table lists the errors that your batch may receive as a result of missing or invalid data formatting.
FinCEN strongly encourages that filers first test their XML batch files for schema compliance using the schemas
available at www.fincen.gov/base. Your batch file should pass schema validation before you attempt to submit to
FinCEN. As a result, this table does not include all possible schema validation errors, as these will be handled by your
XML software during testing. Your batch file must pass schema validation before attempting to submit to FinCEN via
BSA E-Filing; otherwise, it will be rejected.
Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
F60
The namespace prefix for the element
is invalid.
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A1
The element is not recorded for the
required party type
Warning
Misc.
Not Applicable
A2
The element is recorded for an
inappropriate party type.
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A3
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A4
The element exceeds the maximum
occurrence threshold.
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A5
The element is missing a "SeqNum"
attribute
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A6
The element contains a "SeqNum"
attribute with a duplicate or invalid
value
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A7
One or more of the attributes are
missing, incorrectly formatted, or
contain an invalid value
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A8
The reported count of the total
number of Activity elements in the
batch does not match the actual
count.
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A10
The reported count of the total
number of Party elements in the batch
does not match the actual count.
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A11
Cannot continue processing the
submitted file because of previous
errors encountered.
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A12
One, or more, invalid characters were
present in the submitted file.
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A14
Unexpected element sequence. The
element is not allowed at this location.
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
Error Level
Fatal
Batch rejection
These errors are related to the batch format and must be resolved before attempting to resubmit the batch.
Warning
Batch acceptance with warning(s)
These errors violate electronic filing requirements or FinCEN FBAR instructions and result in accepted reports with incorrect or
incomplete data.
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Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
A15
Unknown file error. Please contact the
BSA E-Filing Help Desk for assistance.
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A16
This submission cannot be accepted
because it contains significant errors.
Please fix and resubmit the file.
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A17
This submission has been accepted
and will be processed by FinCEN,
however it contains some errors which
need to be corrected once this
submission has been acknowledged.
Warning
Misc.
Not Applicable
A18
The value recorded is not appropriate
for the associated party type.
Warning
Misc.
Not Applicable
A19
Unknown is indicated for data that is
provided.
Warning
Misc.
Not Applicable
A20
The element recorded conflicts with
one or more recorded elements.
Warning
Misc.
Not Applicable
A21
The value recorded does not contain
an associated type.
Warning
Misc.
Not Applicable
A22
The element start-tag and/or end-tag
is incorrectly formatted.
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A23
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A24
The element does not contain a value
(i.e. the value is null).
Fatal
Misc.
Not Applicable
A25
A U.S. address was provided when only
a foreign address is permitted.
Warning
Misc.
Not Applicable
A26
State code and country code mismatch
when U.S. Territory is recorded.
Warning
Misc.
Not Applicable
Document Errors
These errors occur at the FinCEN FBAR document level.
B1
The report contains more than 9999
accounts.
Fatal
Account
Account
Information
B2
The report does not specify at least
one account and financial interest or
signature authority in 25 or more
accounts is not indicated.
Fatal
Account
Account
Information
B3
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
LateFilingReasonCode
Late Filing Reason
B4
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value and Other is
indicated.
Warning
ActivityNarrativeText
Late Filing Reason
(Other Description)
B5
The element is recorded with a value
and Other is not indicated.
Warning
ActivityNarrativeText
Late Filing Reason
(Other Description)
B6
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
ReportCalendarYearText
Report Calendar
Year
B7
The value recorded for the element is
not in the correct format (YYYY).
Fatal
ReportCalendarYearText
Report Calendar
Year
B8
The value recorded for the calendar
year is greater than the current year or
does not begin with "19" or "20".
Fatal
ReportCalendarYearText
Report Calendar
Year
B9
The element contains a value not
equal to "Y" or null.
Fatal
CorrectsAmendsPriorReportIndicator
Amended
B10
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
EFilingPriorDocumentNumber
Prior Report BSA
Identifier
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 65
Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
B11
The value recorded for the element
contains non-numeric characters.
Fatal
EFilingPriorDocumentNumber
Prior Report BSA
Identifier
B12
The element is recorded with a value
but Amendment is not indicated.
Warning
EFilingPriorDocumentNumber
Prior Report BSA
Identifier
B13
The element is not recorded and
Amendment is indicated.
Warning
EFilingPriorDocumentNumber
Prior Report BSA
Identifier
B14
The element contains a value not
equal to "Y" or null.
Fatal
ThirdPartyPreparerIndicator
Third Party
Preparer Indicator
B15
The element contains a value not
equal to "Y" or null.
Fatal
PreparerFilingSignatureIndicator
Filer Signature
Indicator
B16
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and Third Party Preparer is not
indicated.
Fatal
PreparerFilingSignatureIndicator
Filer Signature
Indicator
B17
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
ApprovalOfficialSignatureDateText
Date of Signature
B18
The value recorded for the element is
not a valid date in the format
YYYYMMDD.
Fatal
ApprovalOfficialSignatureDateText
Date of Signature
B19
The value recorded for the element is
a date greater than the current date.
Fatal
ApprovalOfficialSignatureDateText
Date of Signature
Part I Filer Information
These errors occur at the FinCEN FBAR document level regarding the Foreign Account Filer.
C1
A required party associated with the
filer is missing.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
C2
The report contains more than one
party associated with the filer.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
C3
The type of filer is not specified.
Warning
FilerTypeConsolidatedIndicator
FilerTypeCorporationIndicator
FilerTypeFiduciaryOtherIndicator
FilerTypeIndividualIndicator
FilerTypePartnershipIndicator
Type of filer
C4
More than one type of filer is
specified.
Warning
FilerTypeConsolidatedIndicator
FilerTypeCorporationIndicator
FilerTypeFiduciaryOtherIndicator
FilerTypeIndividualIndicator
FilerTypePartnershipIndicator
Type of filer
C5
The element contains a value not
equal to "Y" or null.
Fatal
FilerTypeConsolidatedIndicator
FilerTypeCorporationIndicator
FilerTypeFiduciaryOtherIndicator
FilerTypeIndividualIndicator
FilerTypePartnershipIndicator
Type of filer
C7
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value and Other is
indicated.
Warning
FilerTypeOtherText
Type of filer (Other
Description)
C8
The element is recorded with a value
and Other is not indicated.
Warning
FilerTypeOtherText
Type of filer (Other
Description)
C9
The element is recorded for an
inappropriate party type.
Fatal
FilerTypeOtherText
Type of filer (Other
Description)
C11
The value recorded for the element is
an invalid number string.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationNumberText
U.S. TIN / ID
Number
C12
The element is not recorded and a
foreign identification is not provided.
Warning
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
U.S. TIN Type
C13
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
U.S. TIN Type
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 66
Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
C14
There is no U.S. TIN, U.S. TIN type, or
foreign identification information
provided for the Filer.
Fatal
PartyIdentification
OtherIssuerCountryText
OtherPartyIdentificationTypeText
PartyIdentificationNumberText
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
U.S. TIN Type/
Foreign Type
Indicator
C15
The element is not recorded.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
Foreign Type
Indicator
C16
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
Foreign Type
Indicator
C18
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value and Other is
indicated.
Warning
OtherPartyIdentificationTypeText
Foreign
Identification Type
(Other Description)
C19
The element is recorded with a value
and Other is not indicated.
Warning
OtherPartyIdentificationTypeText
Foreign
Identification Type
(Other Description)
C21
The element is recorded but without a
value (i.e. the value is null).
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Foreign
Identification
Country/Region of
Issue
C22
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawCountryCodeText
Foreign
Identification
Country/Region of
Issue
C23
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) for an individual.
Fatal
IndividualBirthDateText
Date of Birth
C24
The date of birth is less than January 1,
1900 or greater than December 31 of
the reported calendar year.
Warning
IndividualBirthDateText
Date of Birth
C25
The value recorded for the element is
not a valid date in the format
YYYYMMDD.
Fatal
IndividualBirthDateText
Date of Birth
C26
The element is recorded for an
inappropriate party type.
Fatal
IndividualBirthDateText
Date of Birth
C27
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
C28
The element contains a value not
equal to "L".
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
C29
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
RawEntityIndividualLastName
Last Name or
Organization Name
C30
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) for an individual.
Fatal
RawIndividualFirstName
First Name
C31
The element is recorded but without a
value (i.e. the value is null).
Warning
RawStreetAddress1Text
Address (Street)
C32
The element is recorded but without a
value (i.e. the value is null).
Warning
RawCityText
City
C33
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value and the associated
country is US, CA, MX, or a U.S.
Territory.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 67
Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
C34
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawStateCodeText
State
C35
The element contains a value and the
country is not equal to US, CA, MX, or
a U.S. Territory.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
C36
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
C37
The value recorded contains non-
numeric characters or is in an invalid
format and the associated country is
US or a U.S. Territory.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
C38
The element is recorded but without a
value (i.e. the value is null).
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
C39
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
C40
State code and country code mismatch
when U.S. territory is recorded.
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
C41
The element contains a value not
equal to "Y" or "N".
Fatal
FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccount
Indicator
Financial Interest
Indicator
C42
The element is not recorded.
Fatal
FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccount
Indicator
Financial Interest
Indicator
C43
The element is recorded for an
inappropriate party type.
Fatal
FilerFinancialInterest25ForeignAccount
Indicator
Financial Interest
Indicator
C44
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and financial interest in 25 or
more accounts is indicated.
Warning
ForeignAccountHeldQuantityText
Number of
Financial Interest
Accounts
C45
The value recorded for the element
contains non-numeric characters or
leading zeros.
Warning
ForeignAccountHeldQuantityText
Number of
Financial Interest
Accounts
C46
The value recorded for the number of
financial interest accounts is less than
25.
Warning
ForeignAccountHeldQuantityText
Number of
Financial Interest
Accounts
C47
The element contains a value not
equal to "Y" or "N".
Fatal
SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator
Signature Authority
Indicator
C48
The element is not recorded.
Fatal
SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator
Signature Authority
Indicator
C49
The element is recorded for an
inappropriate party type.
Fatal
SignatureAuthoritiesIndicator
Signature Authority
Indicator
C50
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and signature authority in 25 or
more accounts is indicated.
Warning
SignatureAuthoritiesQuantityText
Number of
Signature Authority
Accounts
C51
The value recorded for the element
contains non-numeric characters or
leading zeros.
Warning
SignatureAuthoritiesQuantityText
Number of
Signature Authority
Accounts
C52
The value recorded for the number of
signature authority accounts is less
than 25.
Warning
SignatureAuthoritiesQuantityText
Number of
Signature Authority
Accounts
C53
The value recorded contains special
characters or formatting such as
hyphens, periods, and spaces.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
Part II Information on Financial Account(s) Owned Separately
~ Account Information ~
These errors occur at the FinCEN FBAR document level regarding a Separately Owned Financial Account
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 68
Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
D1
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
EFilingAccountTypeCode
Not Applicable
D2
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
EFilingAccountTypeCode
Not Applicable
D3
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and unknown is not indicated.
Warning
AccountMaximumValueAmountText
Maximum Account
Value
D4
The value recorded for the element
contains non-numeric characters or
leading zeros.
Warning
AccountMaximumValueAmountText
Maximum Account
Value
D6
The element contains a value not
equal to "Y" or null.
Fatal
UnknownMaximumValueIndicator
Maximum Account
Value Unknown
Indicator
D7
The element is not recorded.
Fatal
AccountTypeCode
Type of Account
D8
The element is recorded but does not
contain a value (i.e. the value is null).
Fatal
AccountTypeCode
Type of Account
D9
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
AccountTypeCode
Type of Account
D10
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and Other is indicated.
Warning
OtherAccountTypeText
Type of Account
(Other Description)
D11
The element is recorded with a value
and Other is not indicated.
Warning
OtherAccountTypeText
Type of Account
(Other Description)
D12
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
AccountNumberText
Account Number or
Other Designation
D13
A party associated with the Financial
Institution where the account is held is
missing and the filer does not have
financial interest or signature authority
of 25 accounts indicated.
Fatal
Activity
Not Applicable
D14
The report contains more than one
party associated with the Financial
Institution where the account is held.
Fatal
Activity
Not Applicable
D15
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
D16
The element contains a value not
equal to "L".
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
D17
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
RawPartyFullName
Financial Institution
Name
D18
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value and the associated
country is CA or MX.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
D19
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawStateCodeText
State
D20
The element contains a value and the
country is not equal to CA or MX.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
D21
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawZIPCode
Foreign Postal
Code
D22
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 69
Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
D23
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
D25
The value recorded contains special
characters or formatting such as
hyphens, periods, and spaces.
Warning
RawZIPCode
Foreign Postal
Code
Part III Information on Financial Account(s) Owned Jointly
~ Account Information ~
These errors occur at the FinCEN FBAR document level regarding a Jointly Owned Financial Account
E1
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
EFilingAccountTypeCode
Not Applicable
E2
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
EFilingAccountTypeCode
Not Applicable
E3
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and unknown is not indicated.
Warning
AccountMaximumValueAmountText
Maximum Account
Value
E4
The value recorded for the element
contains non-numeric characters or
leading zeros.
Warning
AccountMaximumValueAmountText
Maximum Account
Value
E6
The element contains a value not
equal to "Y" or null.
Fatal
UnknownMaximumValueIndicator
Maximum Account
Value Unknown
Indicator
E7
The element is not recorded.
Fatal
AccountTypeCode
Type of Account
E8
The element is recorded but does not
contain a value (i.e. the value is null).
Fatal
AccountTypeCode
Type of Account
E9
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
AccountTypeCode
Type of Account
E10
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and Other is indicated.
Warning
OtherAccountTypeText
Type of Account
(Other Description)
E11
The element is recorded with a value
and Other is not indicated.
Warning
OtherAccountTypeText
Type of Account
(Other Description)
E12
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
AccountNumberText
Account Number or
Other Designation
E13
A party associated with the Financial
Institution where the account is held is
missing and the filer does not have
financial interest or signature authority
of 25 accounts indicated.
Fatal
Activity
Not Applicable
E14
The report contains more than one
party associated with the Financial
Institution where the account is held.
Fatal
Activity
Not Applicable
E15
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
E16
The element contains a value not
equal to "L".
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
E17
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
RawPartyFullName
Financial Institution
Name
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 70
Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
E18
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value and the associated
country is CA or MX.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
E19
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawStateCodeText
State
E20
The element contains a value and the
country is not equal to CA or MX.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
E21
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawZIPCode
Foreign Postal
Code
E22
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
E23
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
E24
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Warning
JointOwnerQuantityText
Number of Joint
Owners
E25
The value recorded for the element
contains non-numeric characters or
leading zeros.
Warning
JointOwnerQuantityText
Number of Joint
Owners
E28
The value recorded contains special
characters or formatting such as
hyphens, periods, and spaces.
Warning
RawZIPCode
Foreign Postal
Code
Part III Information on Financial Account(s) Owned Jointly
~ Owner Information ~
These errors occur at the FinCEN FBAR document level regarding a Jointly Owned Financial Account Owner
E29
A party associated with the joint
account owner is missing.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
E30
The element contains a value not
equal to "Y" or null.
Fatal
PartyAsEntityOrganizationIndicator
Entity Indicator
E31
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Warning
PartyIdentificationNumberText
TIN
E32
The non-Foreign TIN is an invalid
number string.
Warning
PartyIdentificationNumberText
TIN
E33
The TIN contains formatting such as
spaces, hyphens, or periods.
Warning
PartyIdentificationNumberText
TIN
E34
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
TIN Type
E35
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
TIN Type
E36
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
E37
The element contains a value not
equal to "L".
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
E38
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
RawEntityIndividualLastName
Last Name or
Organization Name
E39
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and owner is not an entity.
Fatal
RawIndividualFirstName
First Name
E40
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value and the associated
country is US, CA, MX, or a U.S.
Territory.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 71
Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
E41
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
E42
The element contains a value and the
country is not equal to US, CA, MX, or
a U.S. Territory.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
E43
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
E44
The value recorded contains non-
numeric characters or is in an invalid
format and the associated country is
US or a U.S. Territory.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
E45
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
E46
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
E48
The value recorded contains special
characters or formatting such as
hyphens, periods, and spaces.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
Part IV Information on Financial Account(s) Where Filer has Signature or Other Authority but No financial Interest in the
Account(s)
~ Account Information ~
These errors occur at the FinCEN FBAR document level regarding a No Financial Interest Account
F1
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
EFilingAccountTypeCode
Not Applicable
F2
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
EFilingAccountTypeCode
Not Applicable
F3
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and unknown is not indicated.
Warning
AccountMaximumValueAmountText
Maximum Account
Value
F4
The value recorded for the element
contains non-numeric characters or
leading zeros.
Warning
AccountMaximumValueAmountText
Maximum Account
Value
F6
The element contains a value not
equal to "Y" or null.
Fatal
UnknownMaximumValueIndicator
Maximum Account
Value Unknown
Indicator
F7
The element is not recorded.
Fatal
AccountTypeCode
Type of Account
F8
The element is recorded but does not
contain a value (i.e. the value is null).
Fatal
AccountTypeCode
Type of Account
F9
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
AccountTypeCode
Type of Account
F10
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and Other is indicated.
Warning
OtherAccountTypeText
Type of Account
(Other Description)
F11
The element is recorded with a value
and Other is not indicated.
Warning
OtherAccountTypeText
Type of Account
(Other Description)
F12
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
AccountNumberText
Account Number or
Other Designation
F13
A party associated with the Financial
Institution where the account is held is
missing and the filer does not have
financial interest or signature authority
of 25 accounts indicated.
Fatal
Activity
Not Applicable
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 72
Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
F14
The report contains more than one
party associated with the Financial
Institution where the account is held.
Fatal
Activity
Not Applicable
F15
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
F16
The element contains a value not
equal to "L".
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
F17
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
RawPartyFullName
Financial Institution
Name
F18
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value and the associated
country is CA or MX.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
F19
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawStateCodeText
State
F20
The element contains a value and the
country is not equal to CA or MX.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
F21
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawZIPCode
Foreign Postal
Code
F22
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
F23
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
F24
The value recorded contains special
characters or formatting such as
hyphens, periods, and spaces.
Warning
RawZIPCode
Foreign Postal
Code
Part IV Information on Financial Account(s) Where Filer has Signature or Other Authority but No financial Interest in the
Account(s)
~ Owner Information ~
These errors occur at the FinCEN FBAR document level regarding a No Financial Interest Account Owner
F26
A party associated with the no
financial Interest account owner is
missing.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
F27
The report contains more than one
party associated with the no financial
interest account owner for a single
account.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
F28
The element contains a value not
equal to "Y" or null.
Fatal
PartyAsEntityOrganizationIndicator
Entity Indicator
F29
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Warning
PartyIdentificationNumberText
TIN
F30
The non-Foreign TIN is an invalid
number string.
Warning
PartyIdentificationNumberText
TIN
F31
The TIN contains formatting such as
spaces, hyphens, or periods.
Warning
PartyIdentificationNumberText
TIN
F32
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
TIN Type
F33
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
TIN Type
F34
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 73
Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
F35
The element contains a value not
equal to "L".
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
F36
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
RawEntityIndividualLastName
Last Name or
Organization Name
F37
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and owner is not an entity.
Fatal
RawIndividualFirstName
First Name
F38
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value and the associated
country is US, CA, or MX.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
F39
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
F40
The element contains a value and the
country is not equal to US, CA, MX, or
a U.S. Territory.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
F41
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
F42
The value recorded contains non-
numeric characters or is in an invalid
format and the associated country is
US or a U.S. Territory.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
F43
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
F44
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
F45
The value recorded contains special
characters or formatting such as
hyphens, periods, and spaces.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
Part V Information on Financial Account(s) Where Filer is Filing a Consolidated Report
~ Account Information ~
These errors occur at the FinCEN FBAR document level regarding a Consolidated Report Account
G1
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
EFilingAccountTypeCode
Not Applicable
G2
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
EFilingAccountTypeCode
Not Applicable
G3
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and unknown is not indicated.
Warning
AccountMaximumValueAmountText
Maximum Account
Value
G4
The value recorded for the element
contains non-numeric characters or
leading zeros.
Warning
AccountMaximumValueAmountText
Maximum Account
Value
G6
The element contains a value not
equal to "Y" or null.
Fatal
UnknownMaximumValueIndicator
Maximum Account
Value Unknown
Indicator
G7
The element is not recorded.
Fatal
AccountTypeCode
Type of Account
G8
The element is recorded but does not
contain a value (i.e. the value is null).
Fatal
AccountTypeCode
Type of Account
G9
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
AccountTypeCode
Type of Account
G10
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and Other is indicated.
Warning
OtherAccountTypeText
Type of Account
(Other Description)
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Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
G11
The element is recorded with a value
and Other is not indicated.
Warning
OtherAccountTypeText
Type of Account
(Other Description)
G12
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
AccountNumberText
Account Number or
Other Designation
G13
A party associated with the Financial
Institution where the account is held is
missing and the filer does not have
financial interest or signature authority
of 25 accounts indicated.
Fatal
Activity
Not Applicable
G14
The report contains more than one
party associated with the Financial
Institution where the account is held.
Fatal
Activity
Not Applicable
G15
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
G16
The element contains a value not
equal to "L".
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
G17
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
RawPartyFullName
Financial Institution
Name
G18
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value and the associated
country is CA or MX.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
G19
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawStateCodeText
State
G20
The element contains a value and the
country is not equal to CA or MX.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
G21
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawZIPCode
Foreign Postal
Code
G22
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
G23
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
G24
The value recorded contains special
characters or formatting such as
hyphens, periods, and spaces.
Warning
RawZIPCode
Foreign Postal
Code
Part V Information on Financial Account(s) Where Filer is Filing a Consolidated Report
~ Owner Information ~
These errors occur at the FinCEN FBAR document level regarding a Consolidated Report Account Owner
G26
A party associated with the
consolidated report account owner is
missing.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
G27
The report contains more than one
party associated with the consolidated
report account owner for a single
account.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
G28
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Warning
PartyIdentificationNumberText
TIN
G29
The non-Foreign TIN is an invalid
number string.
Warning
PartyIdentificationNumberText
TIN
G30
The TIN contains formatting such as
spaces, hyphens, or periods.
Warning
PartyIdentificationNumberText
TIN
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Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
G31
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
TIN Type
G32
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
TIN Type
G33
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
G34
The element contains a value not
equal to "L".
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
G35
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
RawPartyFullName
Organization Name
G36
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value and the associated
country is US, CA, or MX.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
G37
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
G38
The element contains a value and the
country is not equal to US, CA, MX, or
a U.S. Territory.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
G39
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
G40
The value recorded contains non-
numeric characters or is in an invalid
format and the associated country is
US or a U.S. Territory.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
G41
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
G42
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
G43
The value recorded contains special
characters or formatting such as
hyphens, periods, and spaces.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
Transmitter
These errors occur at the FinCEN FBAR document level regarding a Transmitter
H1
A required party associated with the
transmitter is missing.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
H2
The report contains more than one
party associated with the transmitter.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
H7
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value
Warning
RawPartyFullName
Transmitter Name
H8
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value
Warning
RawStreetAddress1Text
Transmitter
Address
H9
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value
Warning
RawCityText
Transmitter City
H10
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value
Warning
RawStateCodeText
Transmitter State
H11
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code
Warning
RawStateCodeText
Transmitter State
H12
State code and country code mismatch
when U.S. territory is recorded
Warning
RawStateCodeText
Transmitter State
H13
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawZIPCode
Transmitter
ZIP/Postal Code
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Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
H14
The value recorded contains non-
numeric characters or is in an invalid
format and the country is US
Warning
RawZIPCode
Transmitter
ZIP/Postal Code
H15
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Transmitter
Country
H16
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Transmitter
Country
H17
State code and country code mismatch
when U.S. territory is recorded
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Transmitter
Country
H18
The element contains an invalid
number string for a US TIN
Warning
PartyIdentificationNumberText
Transmitter TIN
H19
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value
Warning
PartyIdentificationNumberText
Transmitter TIN
H20
The element is recorded but without a
value (i.e. the value is null).
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
Transmitter TIN
Type
H21
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
Transmitter TIN
Type
H22
The Transmitter Control Code (TCC)
specified in the file is not a valid
production TCC.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationNumberText
Transmitter TCC
H23
The element is recorded but without a
value (i.e. the value is null).
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
Transmitter TCC
Type
H24
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
Transmitter TCC
Type
H25
The value recorded contains special
characters or formatting such as
hyphens, periods, and spaces.
Warning
RawZIPCode
Transmitter
ZIP/Postal Code
Transmitter Contact
These errors occur at the FinCEN FBAR document level regarding a Transmitter Contact
I1
A required party associated with the
transmitter contact is missing.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
I2
The report contains more than one
party associated with the transmitter
contact.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
I7
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value
Warning
RawPartyFullName
Transmitter Contact
Name
Third Party Preparer
These errors occur at the FinCEN FBAR document level regarding a Third Party Preparer
J1
Third Party Preparer is indicated but a
party associated with the Third Party
Preparer is missing.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
J2
The report contains more than one
party associated with the Third Party
Preparer.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
J3
The report contains a party associated
with the Third Party Preparer but the
Third Party Preparer indicator is
missing.
Warning
Party
Not Applicable
J4
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
J5
The element contains a value not
equal to "L".
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
J6
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
Fatal
RawEntityIndividualLastName
Preparer's Last
Name
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 77
Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
null) and Third Party Preparer is
indicated.
J7
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and Third Party Preparer is
indicated.
Fatal
RawIndividualFirstName
First Name
J8
The element contains a value not
equal to "Y" or null.
Fatal
SelfEmployedIndicator
Self-Employed
Indicator
J9
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
PartyIdentificationNumberText
Preparer's TIN
J10
The SSN/ITIN is an invalid number
string.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationNumberText
Preparer's TIN
J11
TIN contains formatting such as
spaces, hyphens, or periods.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationNumberText
Preparer's TIN
J12
The element is not recorded.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationNumberText
Preparer's TIN
J13
The element is not recorded.
Warning
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
TIN Type
J14
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
TIN Type
J15
The TIN and TIN type are missing for
the Third Party Preparer.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
TIN Type
J16
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null) and Third Party Preparer is
indicated.
Warning
PhoneNumberText
Contact Phone
Number
J17
The value recorded for the element
contains non-numeric characters or is
an invalid number string.
Warning
PhoneNumberText
Contact Phone
Number
J18
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value and the associated
country is US, CA, MX, or a U.S.
Territory.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
J19
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawStateCodeText
State
J20
The element contains a value and the
country is not equal to US, CA, MX, or
a U.S. Territory.
Warning
RawStateCodeText
State
J21
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
J22
The value recorded contains non-
numeric characters or is in an invalid
format and the associated country is
US or a U.S. Territory.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
J23
The element is recorded but without a
value (i.e. the value is null).
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
J24
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
J25
State code and country code mismatch
when U.S. territory is recorded.
Warning
RawCountryCodeText
Country/Region
J26
The value recorded contains special
characters or formatting such as
hyphens, periods, and spaces.
Warning
RawZIPCode
ZIP/Postal Code
Third Party Preparer (Firm)
These errors occur at the FinCEN FBAR document level regarding a Third Party Preparer Firm
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 78
Error
Type
Code
Error Text
Error
Severity
Associated Element(s)
Field Reference
J27
A party associated with the Third Party
Preparer's Firm is missing when self-
employed is not indicated.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
J28
The report contains more than one
party associated with the Third Party
Preparer's Firm.
Fatal
Party
Not Applicable
J29
The report contains a party associated
with the Third Party Preparer's Firm
but self-employed is indicated.
Warning
Party
Not Applicable
J30
The element is not recorded or the
start tag and/or end tag is incorrectly
formatted.
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
J31
The element contains a value not
equal to "L".
Fatal
PartyNameTypeCode
Not Applicable
J32
Firm name is not provided and self-
employed is not indicated for the
preparer.
Warning
RawPartyFullName
Firm's Name
J33
The element is not recorded or does
not contain a value (i.e. the value is
null).
Fatal
PartyIdentificationNumberText
Firm's TIN
J34
The non-Foreign TIN is an invalid
number string.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationNumberText
Firm's TIN
J35
TIN contains formatting or special
characters such as spaces, hyphens, or
periods.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationNumberText
Firm's TIN
J36
The element is not recorded.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationNumberText
Firm's TIN
J37
The element is not recorded.
Warning
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
TIN Type
J38
The element contains a value that is
not a valid code.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
TIN Type
J39
The TIN and TIN type are missing for
the Preparing Firm.
Fatal
PartyIdentificationTypeCode
TIN Type
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FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 79
Attachment B – Error Correction Instructions
This attachment identifies the requirements and procedures for correcting FBAR errors reported to batch filers during
the FBAR acknowledgement process.
Error Categories:
There are two main categories of errors identified in batch files: Schema validation errors that result in automatic
rejection of the batch file and data errors that represent errors in data entered for individual elements but may not
result in a rejection. Schema validation errors prevent the batch file from being processed and are considered fatal
errors. An example of a schema validation error is a missing required element or an element sequence that does not
match the schema. An example of a data error is a required element that contains no value (e.g. a foreign postal code
element is recorded for the account but no value is provided for the element).
Correction Requirements:
Filers should immediately correct and resubmit a batch file rejected for fatal errors when notified by FinCEN the batch
file was not accepted.
When an accepted batch file contains FBARs with warning errors, those FBARs must be re-filed as amended reports
with the data errors corrected.
FinCEN requires that filers prevent all reported errors in their future filings.
FinCEN recommends that data error corrections be made no later than 30 days after receiving error notifications.
Furthermore, FinCEN recommends that filers remedy any systemic problems in their electronic submissions within 30
days of receiving error notifications. If technical issues prevent filers from implementing corrections within these time
frames, filers should notify FinCEN by writing to:
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
Office of Compliance
P.O. Box 39
Vienna, VA 22183
This correspondence should explain the technical issues involved that prevent meeting the time frame, provide an
estimate of when the issues will be resolved, and include a contact name and telephone number.
Correction Procedures:
FBAR batch files are rejected when they contain fatal format errors. Filers must correct all fatal errors identified in the
batch file and resubmit the batch file to BSA E-Filing. Because they were not accepted by FinCEN, initial report FBARs
in the re-submitted batch file are still initial reports. Do not identify FBARs from a rejected batch file as Amended
reports unless they originally were filed as Amended reports.
If errors involve accepted with warning errors in the FBARs of an accepted batch file, filers should correct all errors
and file amended reports on the affected FBARs using the following procedures:
Make the corrections to all errors in the FinCEN FBARs in the accepted batch file.
Record “Y” in the <CorrectsAmendsPriorReportIndicator> element under the <Activity Association> element in
the XML batch file to indicate the FBAR is a corrected report
Record in the <EFilingPriorDocumentNumber> element under the <Activity> element the BSA Identifier (from
the FBAR Acknowledgement) that was assigned to the FinCEN FBAR being corrected.
Ensure that the <ApprovalOfficialSignatureDateText> element contains a new date.
Complete all other data in the FinCEN FBAR in their entirety.
Retransmit the corrected FinCEN FBAR in a new batch file. Do not re-transmit the original batch file because this
will cause duplicate database entries on any FinCEN FBARs that were not corrected.
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 80
Attachment C – Electronic Filing Instructions
The following instructions apply only to the electronic filing of the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts
(FBAR), FinCEN Report 114, through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN’s) BSA E-Filing System.
Unless specifically mentioned in the text, these instructions do not apply to any other current or prior Bank Secrecy
Act (BSA) reports. Also, the instructions or requirements for any prior or current BSA reports, including paper versions
of the FBAR, do not apply to FBARs filed electronically under these filing requirements and instructions.
General Instructions
Purpose. FinCEN Report 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, is used to report a financial interest in
or signature authority over a foreign financial account. The FBAR must be received by FinCEN on or before the due
date that coincides with the end of the Federal income tax filing season (which in most cases is April 15
th
) of the year
immediately following the calendar year being reported. An automatic extension to October 15 will be granted.
Who Must File an FBAR. A United States person that has a financial interest in or signature authority over foreign
financial accounts must file an FBAR if the aggregate value of the foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any
time during the calendar year. This does not prohibit filing an FBAR on an aggregated value less than or equal to
$10,000.See General Definitions, to determine who is a United States person.
General Definitions:
Financial Account. A financial account includes, but is not limited to, a securities, brokerage, savings, demand,
checking, deposit, time deposit, or other account maintained with a financial institution (or other person performing
the services of a financial institution). A financial account also includes a commodity futures or options account, an
insurance policy with a cash value (such as a whole life insurance policy), an annuity policy with a cash value, and
shares in a mutual fund or similar pooled fund (i.e., a fund that is available to the general public with a regular net
asset value determination and regular redemptions).
Joint Account. A financial account type listed above owned jointly by two or more persons.
Foreign Financial Account. A foreign financial account is a financial account located outside of the United States. For
example, an account maintained with a branch of a United States bank that is physically located outside of the United
States is a foreign financial account. An account maintained with a branch of a foreign bank that is physically located
in the United States is not a foreign financial account.
Financial Interest. A United States person has a financial interest in a foreign financial account for which:
1. the United States person is the owner of record or holder of legal title, regardless of whether the account is
maintained for the benefit of the United States person or for the benefit of another person; or
2. the owner of record or holder of legal title is one of the following:
a. An agent, nominee, attorney, or a person acting in some other capacity on behalf of the United
States person with respect to the account;
b. A corporation in which the United States person owns directly or indirectly: (i) more than 50 percent
of the total value of shares of stock or (ii) more than 50 percent of the voting power of all shares of
stock;
c. A partnership in which the United States person owns directly or indirectly: (i) an interest in more
than 50 percent of the partnership's profits (e.g., distributive share of partnership income taking
into account any special allocation agreement) or (ii) an interest in more than 50 percent of the
partnership capital;
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 81
d. A trust of which the United States person: (i) is the trust grantor and (ii) has an ownership interest in
the trust for United States federal tax purposes. See 26 U.S.C. sections 671-679 to determine if a
grantor has an ownership interest in a trust;
e. A trust in which the United States person has a greater than 50 percent present beneficial interest in
the assets or income of the trust for the calendar year; or
f. Any other entity in which the United States person owns directly or indirectly more than 50 percent
of the voting power, total value of equity interest or assets, or interest in profits.
Person. A person means an individual and legal entities including, but not limited to, a limited liability company,
corporation, partnership, trust, and estate.
Signature Authority. Signature authority is the authority of an individual (alone or in conjunction with another
individual) to control the disposition of assets held in a foreign financial account by direct communication (whether in
writing or otherwise) to the bank or other financial institution that maintains the financial account. See Exceptions,
Signature Authority.
United States. For FBAR purposes, the United States includes the States, the District of Columbia, all United States
territories and possessions (e.g., American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands), and the Indian lands as defined in the
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. References to the laws of the United States include the laws of the United States
federal government and the laws of all places listed in this definition.
United States Person. United States person means United States citizens; United States residents; entities, including
but not limited to, corporations, partnerships, or limited liability companies created or organized in the United States
or under the laws of the United States; and trusts or estates formed under the laws of the United States.
Note. The federal tax treatment of an entity does not determine whether the entity has an FBAR filing requirement.
For example, an entity that is disregarded for purposes of Title 26 of the United States Code must file an FBAR, if
otherwise required to do so. Similarly, a trust for which the trust income, deductions, or credits are taken into account
by another person for purposes of Title 26 of the United States Code must file an FBAR, if otherwise required to do so.
United States Resident. A United States resident is an alien residing in the United States. To determine if the filer is a
resident of the United States apply the residency tests in 26 U.S.C. section 7701(b). When applying the residency tests,
use the definition of United States in these instructions.
Exceptions:
Certain Accounts Jointly Owned by Spouses. The spouse of an individual who files an FBAR is not required to file a
separate FBAR if the following conditions are met: (1) all the financial accounts that the non-filing spouse is required
to report are jointly owned with the filing spouse; (2) the filing spouse reports the jointly owned accounts on a timely
filed FBAR electronically signed (PIN) in Item 44; and (3) the filers have completed and signed Form 114a, “Record of
Authorization to Electronically File FBAR’s” (maintained with the filers’ records). Otherwise, both spouses are required
to file separate FBARs, and each spouse must report the entire value of the jointly owned accounts. See instructions
for specific items, Part III, Items 25-33.
Consolidated FBAR. If a United States person that is an entity is named in a consolidated FBAR filed by a greater
than 50 percent owner, such entity is not required to file a separate FBAR. See Explanations for Specific Items, Part V.
Correspondent/Nostro Account. Correspondent or nostro accounts (which are maintained by banks and used solely
for bank-to-bank settlements) are not required to be reported.
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 82
Governmental Entity. A foreign financial account of any governmental entity of the United States (as defined above)
is not required to be reported by any person. For purposes of this form, governmental entity includes a college or
university that is an agency of, an instrumentality of, owned by, or operated by a governmental entity. For purposes of
this form, governmental entity also includes an employee retirement or welfare benefit plan of a governmental entity.
International Financial Institution. A foreign financial account of any international financial institution (if the United
States government is a member) is not required to be reported by any person.
IRA Owners and Beneficiaries. An owner or beneficiary of an IRA is not required to report a foreign financial account
held in the IRA.
Participants in and Beneficiaries of Tax-Qualified Retirement Plans. A participant in or beneficiary of a retirement
plan described in Internal Revenue Code section 401(a), 403(a), or 403(b) is not required to report a foreign financial
account held by or on behalf of the retirement plan.
Signature Authority. Individuals who have signature authority over, but no financial interest in, a foreign financial
account are not required to report the account in the following situations:
1. An officer or employee of a bank that is examined by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of
Thrift Supervision, or the National Credit Union Administration is not required to report signature authority
over a foreign financial account owned or maintained by the bank.
2. An officer or employee of a financial institution that is registered with and examined by the Securities and
Exchange Commission or Commodity Futures Trading Commission is not required to report signature
authority over a foreign financial account owned or maintained by the financial institution.
3. An officer or employee of an Authorized Service Provider is not required to report signature authority over a
foreign financial account that is owned or maintained by an investment company that is registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Authorized Service Provider means an entity that is registered with and
examined by the Securities and Exchange Commission and provides services to an investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
4. An officer or employee of an entity that has a class of equity securities listed (or American depository
receipts listed) on any United States national securities exchange is not required to report signature
authority over a foreign financial account of such entity.
5. An officer or employee of a United States subsidiary is not required to report signature authority over a
foreign financial account of the subsidiary if its United States parent has a class of equity securities listed on
any United States national securities exchange and the subsidiary is included in a consolidated FBAR report
of the United States parent.
6. An officer or employee of an entity that has a class of equity securities registered (or American depository
receipts in respect of equity securities registered) under section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act is not
required to report signature authority over a foreign financial account of such entity.
Trust Beneficiaries. A trust beneficiary with a financial interest described in section (2)(e) of the financial interest
definition is not required to report the trust's foreign financial accounts on an FBAR if the trust, trustee of the trust, or
agent of the trust: (1) is a United States person and (2) files an FBAR disclosing the trust's foreign financial accounts.
United States Military Banking Facility. A financial account maintained with a financial institution located on a
United States military installation is not required to be reported, even if that military installation is outside of the
United States.
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
FinCEN FBAR XML Schema User Guide (1.4 | August 2021) 83
Filing Information:
When and Where to File. The FBAR is an annual report and must be filed on or before the due date that coincides
with the end of the Federal income tax filing season (which in most cases is April 15
th
) of the year immediately
following the calendar year being reported. If April 15 falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, the tax filing season
and FBAR due date is extended to the first weekday following the weekend or federal holiday. The FBAR must be filed
electronically through FinCEN’s BSA E-Filing System. The application to file electronically is available at
http://bsaefiling.fincen.treas.gov/main.html. For help in applying, contact the E-Filing Help Desk by calling 1-866-346-
9478 (option 1) or via E-mail sent to [email protected].
Automatic Extension of Time to File. FinCEN will grant filers failing to meet the FBAR annual due date an automatic
extension to October 15
th
each year. Accordingly, specific requests for this extension are not required.
Record Keeping Requirements. Persons required to file an FBAR must retain records that contain the name in which
each account is maintained, the number or other designation of the account, the name and address of the foreign
financial institution that maintains the account, the type of account, and the maximum account value of each account
during the reporting period. The records must be retained for a period of 5 years from April 15
th
(or the established
IRS tax filing date) or the date on which the report was filed (whichever is later) and must be available for inspection
as provided by law. Retaining a copy of the filed FBAR can help to satisfy the record keeping requirements.
An officer or employee who files an FBAR to report signature authority over an employer's foreign financial account is
not required to personally retain records regarding these accounts.
Recording information: Complete each FBAR by providing as much information as possible. Although all items
should be completed fully and accurately, items marked with an asterisk (*) in the instructions must be completed.
NOTE: Throughout these instructions the phrase “check box” and similar wording is used to denote checking an
appropriate box or selecting from a drop-down list of options in certain data items on the electronic discrete FBAR.
This is deemed equivalent to instructions in the XML User Guide to enter appropriate codes in the same data items in
transmission files. For example, the requirement to select in Item 2 the “Type of Filer” in the discrete FBAR is the
equivalent of recording one of the elements associated with the Foreign Account Filer party type with a “Y” indicator
(e.g. <fc2:FilerTypeIndividualIndicator>Y</fc2: FilerTypeIndividualIndicator>) in an XML batch file.
Amended reports: An amended report must be filed whenever errors are discovered in a previously-filed FBAR.
Please refer to the Attachment B – Error Correction Instructions for information regarding filing amended FBARs.
Addresses: For addresses in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico enter the permanent street address, city, two or three letter
state/territory/province abbreviation or code, ZIP Code or foreign postal code, and two letter country code. Provide
the apartment number or suite number, if known, following the street address. A non-location address such as a post
office box or rural route number should be used only if no other street address information is available. ZIP Codes
must be five or nine digits. Nine-digit ZIP Codes cannot end with four zeros or four nines. ZIP Codes and foreign
postal codes must be entered without formatting or special characters such as spaces or hyphens. For example, the
ZIP Code 12354-6120 would be entered as 123546120. The foreign postal code HKW 702 would be entered HKW702.
For other foreign addresses enter the street address, city, postal code, and two letter country code or address
equivalents. Leave the state item blank. If a foreign address contains address information that does not conform to
the FBAR address format, record equivalent address information in the FBAR address items (except state). Enter as
much of any non-conforming data as will fit in the 100-character street address field. Complete any address item that
is known, even if some address items cannot be completed because of incompatible formats (e.g. state codes). No
abbreviations are permitted in city names, which must be completely spelled out. A U.S. city name should match the
city name used by the U.S. Postal Service for the associated state and ZIP Code. For U.S. address use only the
authorized U.S. Postal Service state, territory, or military address abbreviations found at
https://www.usps.com/ship/official-abbreviations.htm. For Canadian provinces and territories use the Canada
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Post Corporation codes found at http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGaddress-e.asp#1380608. For
Mexican states and territories use the ISO 3166-2 three-letter codes found at
http://www.commondatahub.com/live/geography/state_province_region/iso_3166_2_state_codes. For all
countries use the ISO 3166-1 two-letter country codes found at
http://www.iso.org/iso/country_names_and_code_elements. Additional information about ISO 3166 codes can be
found on the BSA E-Filing Program website. NOTE: The ISO 3166-2 country list contains the code “UM” that stands for
the United State Minor Outlying Islands. Using “UM” in country fields is prohibited. These islands are uninhabited. As
such they have no addresses.
Telephone numbers: Record all telephone numbers as a single number string without formatting or special
characters such as parentheses, spaces, or hyphens. For example, a number in the format (NNN) NNN-NNNN would
be recorded as NNNNNNNNNN. Telephone numbers that are part of the North American Numbering Plan used by
the U.S., Canada, many Caribbean countries, and present/former U.S. Pacific island protectorates must consist of an
area code and seven-digit telephone number
Identifying numbers: Enter all identifying numbers as a single text string without formatting or special characters
such as hyphens or periods. An identifying number in the format NNN-NN-NNNN would be entered as
NNNNNNNNN. Such numbers may include letter and number characters. Common identifying numbers include
account numbers, alien registration numbers, Employer Identification Numbers (EIN), passport numbers, Social
Security Numbers (SSN), and foreign TIN’s.
Monetary amounts: When recording the maximum value of accounts, record all amounts as U.S. Dollar amounts
rounded up to the next whole dollar. The amount $15,265.25 would be recorded as 15266. The maximum value of the
account can be determined using the following steps.
Step 1. Determine the maximum value of each account (in the currency of that account) during the calendar year
being reported. The maximum value of an account is a reasonable approximation of the greatest value of currency or
nonmonetary assets in the account during the calendar year. Periodic account statements may be relied on to
determine the maximum value of the account, provided that the statements fairly reflect the maximum account value
during the calendar year. For Item 15, if the filer had a financial interest in more than one account, each account must
be valued separately. For an account denominated in U.S. Dollars, the maximum value of the account is the largest
U.S. Dollar value of the account during the report year.
Step 2. In the case of non-United States currency, convert the maximum account value for each account into United
States dollars. Convert foreign currency by using the Treasury's Financial Management Service rate (select Exchange
Rates under Reference & Guidance at www.fms.treas.gov) for the last day of the calendar year. If no Treasury
Financial Management Service rate is available, use another verifiable exchange rate and provide the source of that
rate. In valuing currency of a country that uses multiple exchange rates, use the rate that would apply if the currency
in the account were converted into United States dollars on the last day of the calendar year.
If the maximum account value of a single account or aggregate of the maximum account values of multiple accounts
exceeds $10,000, an FBAR must be filed. An FBAR may be filed but is not required to be filed if the person did not
have more than $10,000 of maximum value or aggregate maximum value in foreign financial accounts at any time
during the calendar year.
For United States persons with a financial interest in or signature authority over fewer than 25 accounts that are
unable to determine if the aggregate maximum account values of the accounts exceeded $10,000 at any time during
the calendar year, complete the appropriate Part II, III, IV, or V section for each of these accounts and check the
“amount unknown” box, item 15a.
Prohibited Entries: The following entries are prohibited in text fields.
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a. AKA
b. COMPUTER GENERATED
c. CUSTOMER
d. DBA
e. NONE
f. NOT APPLICABLE
g. NON CUSTOMER
h. OTHER
i. SAME
j. SAME AS ABOVE
k. SEE ABOVE
l. SIGNATURE CARD
m. UNKNOWN
n. VARIOUS
o. XX
Name Editing Instructions: Because many names do not consist of a single first name, middle name, and last name,
care must be taken to ensure these names are entered properly in the FBAR. This is especially important when there
are separate fields for the last name, first name, and middle name. Some names have multiple surnames (family
names) or given names. Others may not be written in [first name] [middle name] [last name] order. Multiple surnames
must be entered in the last name field. For example, Spanish names may be written in the order of given name,
father's last name, and mother's last name, e.g., “Juan Vega Santiago.” Thus the surname “VEGA SANTIAGO” would
be entered in the last name field with-”JUAN” entered in the first name field. Some Spanish surnames consist of three
names (e.g., father’s last name, mother’s last name, and husband’s first last name). In that case all three would be
entered in a last name field. In some cultures names consist of multiple first names and a single family name, not
necessarily in (first name) (last name) order. For example, the Korean name “Kim, Chun Nam” consists of the family
name “Kim” and the first name “Chun Nam” separated by a comma and space. There is no middle name. In this case
“KIM” would be entered in the last name field and “CHUN NAM” would be entered in the first name field. Nothing is
entered in the middle name field. When an individual name is entered in a single name field it should be entered in
[first name] [middle name] [last name] order regardless of any foreign naming conventions. Thus, “Kim, Chun Nam”
would be entered as “CHUN NAM KIM” in a single field.
Filing by Third Party Preparer: An FBARs may be completed and filed on behalf of the filer and/or owner of the
foreign account(s) by a third party preparer. The filer or owner who is using a third party preparer should complete
and maintain a record of FinCEN Form 114a, FinCEN BSA E-Filing Signature Authorization Record, to authorize the
third party filing. Do not file or send the completed Form 114a to FinCEN. Form 114a must be maintained by the filer
or owner and made available to FinCEN or IRS on request. The third party preparer will complete FBAR Parts I
through V and the Signature section using the following Item Instructions.
NOTE: Spouses filing a joint FBAR also may use the Form 114a to approve/designate which spouse will sign the
report.
Item Instructions
Filers must use the BSA E-Filing website (http://bsaefiling.fincen.treas.gov/) to file an FBAR. Individuals do not have to
register to file an FBAR. Institutions are required to register for a UserID and password prior to submitting an FBAR.
For more information on this requirement, reference the FAQs posted at
https://bsaefiling.fincen.treas.gov/docs/FBAR_EFILING_FAQ.pdf. Once a new FBAR is opened via the BSA E-Filing
System, the report Home page will display the FBAR version number, OMB control number, and several other items of
information.
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NOTE: When filing the FBAR via the Online Form, the first page you will see is the Filer Contact Information page.
Complete this page and click Start FBAR to proceed to the report Home page.
The following information is collected on the report Home page:
1. Enter a filing name: Enter a unique name for the report being filed. This name is used to track the status of
the report in the BSA E-Filing system. Select a name such as “John’s 2016 FBAR” or “entity name 2016 FBAR”
etc..
2. Enter a late filing reason: If this report is being late filed (i.e. after the due date that coincides with the end
of the Federal income tax filing season, or the extension date, of the year following the calendar year being
reported) select from the drop-down menu to indicate the reason. If none of the provided selections explain
the reason for filing late, select Other and provide a written explanation in the text box provided. If you are
filing this report late because an earlier FinCEN filing waiver applied to you, select Other from the drop-down
menu and identify the waiver by number (e.g., FinCEN notice 2011-1 etc.) in the text field provided.
3. Complete the report. Refer to Item 1 – 59 below for detailed information about each field on the report.
4. Sign electronically. You must sign the report electronically by selecting the sign button (NOTE: If you are a
registered filer, you will be required to enter your PIN after selecting the sign option. Login to BSA E-Filing
and select Manage PIN to obtain your PIN).
5. Save a local copy. You must save a local copy of the report before you are able to submit (NOTE: If you are
an individual FBAR filer using the Online Form, you are not able to save a local copy prior to submission;
instead, the option to save will be made available to you from the confirmation page directly after
submission).
6. Submit. If you are a registered filer using the PDF form or an individual filer using the Online form, you may
simply select the Submit button from the report Home page to submit their FBAR. If you are an individual
filer using the PDF form, you will not have the option to submit directly from the report Home page; instead,
select the Ready to Submit button, at which time you will be directed to a page to attach your saved FBAR
report in order to submit.
After submission, a confirmation page will be displayed with tracking information that should be retained with your
records. If accepted, the report will be acknowledged by FinCEN within 2 business days, at which time an
acknowledgement receipt will be delivered to you electronically. In the event that you need to submit an amended
FBAR, you must reference the BSA Identifier included in your acknowledgement receipt.
Scroll down to or select page one of the report (page following the header/cover page)
*1. Calendar year – This report is for calendar year ended 12/31
(Check if) Amended
Prior Report BSA Identifier
Item 1. Enter the calendar year being reported as a numeric 4-position entry in the format: YYYY, e.g. 2012. If the
FBAR amends a prior report, select "Amended” and enter the BSA Identifier of the previously filed FBAR in the space
provided. If the BSA Identifier is unknown enter “00000000000000” in the Prior Report BSA Identifier field.
Part I — Filer information
*2. Type of filer
a. (Check if) Individual
b. (Check if) Partnership
c. (Check if) Corporation
d. (Check if) Consolidated
e. (Check if) Fiduciary or other (* and specify type in space provided)
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Item 2. Check the box that describes the filer. Individuals, including those reporting only signature authority, should
check box “a”. If filing a consolidated FBAR, check box “d”. To determine if a consolidated FBAR can be filed, see the
instructions for Part V. A corporation which owns directly or indirectly more than a 50 percent interest in one or more
other entities required to file this report will be permitted to file a consolidated report. If the type of filer is not
covered by options “a” through “d,” check box “e” and record the type of filer in the associated text field.
Consolidated reports should be signed by an authorized official of the parent entity. Persons that should check box
“e” include, but are not limited to, trusts, estates, limited liability companies, and tax-exempt entities (even if the entity
is organized as a corporation). A disregarded entity must check box “e” and enter the type of entity followed by
“(D.E.)”. For example, a limited liability company that is disregarded for United States federal tax purposes would enter
“limited liability company (D.E.)”.
*3. U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number
If filer has no U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number complete Item 4.
Item 3. Provide the filer's U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). Generally, this is the filer's Social Security
Number (SSN), Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or Employer Identification Number (EIN). If the filer
does NOT have a U.S. TIN, complete Item 4.
3a TIN type. Check the appropriate box to indicate the type of number entered in item 3.
4. Foreign identification (*Complete only if item 3 is not applicable)
a. (Check if) Passport
(Check if) Foreign TIN
(Check if) Other
Other description
b. Number
c. Country of issue (Two letter designation from ISO 3166-1 Country code lists)
Item 4. Complete Item 4 only if the filer does NOT have a United States Taxpayer Identification Number. Item 4
requires the filer to provide information from an official foreign government document to verify the filer's nationality
or residence. Check the appropriate type of document, either Passport, Foreign TIN, or Other. If “Other” is checked
provide the type of document in the associated text field. Enter the document number followed by the country of
issuance.
5. Individual’s date of birth
Item 5. Enter the filer’s date of birth in the format MM/DD/YYYY where MM is the month, DD is the day, and YYYY is
the year. Zero (0) should precede any single digit number. For example, if the filer's date of birth is June 1, 1948, enter
06/01/1948 in Item 5.
6-8. Filer name
*6. Last name or organization name
7. First name
8. Middle name/initial
8a. Suffix
Items 6-8a. Enter the name of the filer. If the filer is an organization, enter the name in Item 6 and leave Items 7, 8
and 8a blank. If the filer is an individual, enter the filer's last name in Item 6, first name in Item 7, middle name/initial
in Item 8, and any name suffix in 8a. If there is no middle name/initial, leave Item 8 blank. If there is no name suffix,
leave Item 8a blank. See the Name Editing Instructions in the General Instructions section above for additional
information on entering names in fields.
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9-13. Filer address
*9. Mailing address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.)
*10. City
11. State
12. ZIP/Postal Code
*13. Country
Items 9-13. Enter the filer's address. An individual residing in the United States must enter the street address of the
individual's United States residence, not a post office box. An individual residing outside the United States must enter
the individual's United States mailing address. If the individual does not have a United States mailing address, the
individual must enter a foreign residence address. An entity must enter its United States mailing address. If the entity
does not have a United States mailing address, the entity must enter its foreign mailing address. See the Address
instructions in the General Instruction section above for additional information on entering address data in fields.
*14. a) Does the filer have a financial interest in 25 or more financial accounts?
(Check if) Yes (*Enter total number of accounts in space provided) Do not complete Part II or Part III, but maintain
records of the information.
(Check if) No
b) Does the filer have signature authority over but no financial interest in 25 or more financial accounts?
(Check if) Yes (*Enter total number of accounts in space provided) Complete Part IV, items 34 through 43 for each
person on whose behalf the filer has signature authority.
(Check if) No
Item 14. (14a) if the filer has a financial interest in over 25 or more foreign financial accounts check the yes box, and
enter the total number of accounts. Leave blank Part II (Continuation of Separate Accounts) or Part III (Joint Accounts)
of this report, but maintain records of the information. (14b) if the filer has signature authority only (no financial
interest), over 25 or more foreign financial accounts check the yes box, and enter the total number of accounts.
Complete only items 34-43 of Part IV for each person on whose behalf the filer has signature authority. If the group of
entities covered by a consolidated report has a financial interest in 25 or more foreign financial accounts, the
reporting parent corporation need only complete Part V (for consolidated reporting) Items 34 through 42, for the
identity information of the account owners, but need not complete the account information. Detailed information
about each account, including all information called for on this report, must be recorded and retained for five years
from April 15 (or the established IRS tax filing date) or the date on which the report was filed (whichever is later) and
must be available for inspection as provided by law. Any person who reports 25 or more foreign financial accounts in
item 14a or item 14b, must provide all the information omitted from Part II, III, IV or V, as appropriate, if the
information is requested by FinCEN or the IRS. Filers must comply with applicable recording keeping requirements.
See Record Keeping Requirements under Filing Information in the General Instructions above.
Part II — Information on financial account(s) owned separately
Part II records information on accounts owned separately by the filer. It should not be used to record information on
jointly-owned accounts (Part III), signature authority but no financial interest accounts (Part IV), or accounts involved
in a consolidated report (Part V).
15. Maximum value of account during calendar year.
Item 15. Enter the maximum value of the account in U.S. Dollars during the calendar year being reported. See the
General Instructions on Monetary Amounts for guidance on determining the maximum value of an account. Use the
end of the year conversion rate.
15a. Amount unknown. Check this box if the value of the account cannot be determined.
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16. Type of account
a. (Check if) Bank
b. (Check if) Securities
c. (Check if) Other (*and specify type in space provided)
Item 16. Check the appropriate box to describe the type of account. If "Other" is checked, enter a brief description of
the account in the associated text field.
17. Name of financial institution in which account is held
Item 17. Provide the full name of the financial institution in which account is held.
18. Account number or other designation
Item 18. Provide the account number used by the financial institution to designate the account.
19-23. Financial institution address
19. Mailing address (number, street, suite number) of financial institution in which account is held
20. City
21. State, if known
22. Foreign Postal Code, if known
23. Country
Items 19-23. Provide the complete mailing address of the financial institution where the account is held. See the
General Instruction on Addresses for further information on entering address data.
Part III — Information on financial account(s) owned jointly
Note: If jointly filing with a spouse, both parties should complete and sign Form 114a. Completing the Form
114a with both spouses signing the form completes the necessary requirement that will permit one spouse to
electronically sign (PIN) a single report for both parties instead of filing two FBARs. The Form 114a is available
on the FinCEN (under the forms tab) and BSA E-File websites. Keep this form for your records, do not send to
FinCEN.
Enter information in the applicable parts of the report only. If there is not enough space to provide all account
information, click the “+” sign on the electronic report to add additional Part III’s and complete additional pages of
the required Part as necessary.
15-23. Account information
Items 15-23. Enter the information about the account and the financial institution in which the account is held. See
Part II for instructions on Items 15-23. Each joint owner must report the entire value of the account as determined
under Item 15.
24. Number of joint owners for this account
Item 24. Enter the number of joint owners for the account. If the exact number is not known, provide an estimate. Do
not count the filer when determining the number of joint owners.
25-33. Joint owner information
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Items 25-33. Use the identifying information of the principal joint owner (excluding the filer) to complete Items 25-
33. Leave blank items for which no information is available. If the filer's spouse has an interest in a jointly owned
account, the filer's spouse is the principal joint owner. Enter on line 26 the last name of the joint spousal owner. See
Exceptions, Certain Accounts Jointly Owned by Spouses, to determine if the filer's spouse is required to independently
report the jointly owned accounts.
25. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of principal joint owner, if known.
Item 25. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of Principal Joint Owner. Enter the TIN of the principal joint owner on
the account; this can be either an SSN (individual), EIN (entity), or foreign. Numbers should be entered as a single
number string without formatting or special characters such as parentheses, spaces, or hyphens.
25a. TIN type. Check the appropriate box to indicate the type of number entered in item 25. If the TIN type is
unknown, select the “Unknown” option.
26-28 Joint owner name
26. Last name or organization name of principal joint owner
a. (Check if) Entity
27. First name of principal joint owner, if known
28. Middle name/initial, if known
28a. Suffix
Items 26-28a. Enter the name of the organization/individual of the principal joint owner. If the principal joint owner is
an entity, check the “if entity” box, enter the name in Item 26, and leave Items 27 and 28 blank. If the principal joint
owner is an individual, enter the individual’s last name in Item 26, first name in Item 27, middle name/initial in Item 28
and name suffix in 28a. If there is no middle name/initial, leave Item 28 blank. If there is no suffix leave item 28a blank.
29-33. Principal joint owner mailing address
29. Mailing address (number, street, suite number) of principal joint owner, if known
30. City, if known
31. State, if known
32. ZIP/Postal Code, if known
33. Country
Items 29-33. Enter the address of the principal joint owner. If the principal joint owner resides in the United States,
enter the street address of the joint owner’s United States residence, not a post office box. If the principal joint owner
resides outside the United States, enter the joint owner’s United States mailing address. If the principal joint owner
has no U.S. mailing address the filer may provide a foreign address. Enter an organization joint owner’s United States
mailing address. See the Addresses instructions in the General Instruction section above for additional information on
entering address data in fields.
Part IV — Information on financial account(s) where filer has signature authority but no financial interest in
the account(s)
Part IV records information on foreign financial accounts where a filer has signature authority over the accounts but
has no financial interest in the accounts. Filers with signature authority over 25 or more foreign financial accounts
must complete only Items 34-43 for each person on whose behalf the filer has signature authority. In addition, United
States person who (1) resides outside of the United States, (2) is an officer or employee of an employer who is
physically located outside of the United States, and (3) has signature authority over a foreign financial account that is
owned or maintained by the individual's employer should only complete Part I and Items 34-43 of Part IV. Part IV
should only be completed one time with information about the individual's employer. If additional Part IV’s are
required, click on the “+” sign on the electronic report to add copies.
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15-23. Account information
Items 15-23. Enter the information about the account and the financial institution in which the account is held. See
Part II for instructions on Items 15-23. Each joint owner must report the entire value of the account as determined
under Item 15.
Items 34-42. Provide the name, address, and identifying number of the owner of the foreign financial account for
which the individual filer has signature authority over but no financial interest in the account. If there is more than one
owner of the account for which the individual has signature authority, provide the information in Items 34-42 for the
principal joint owner (excluding the filer).
34, 36, 37. Account owner name
34. Last name or organization name of account owner
a. (Check if) Entity
36. First name
37. Middle name/initial
37a. Suffix
Items 34, 36, 37. Enter the name of the account owner. If the owner is an entity, check the “If entity” box, enter the
name in Item 34, and leave Items 36 and 37 blank. If the owner is an individual, enter the owner's last name in Item
34, first name in Item 36, middle name/initial in Item 37 and any name suffix in item 37a. If there is no middle
name/initial, leave Item 37 blank. If there is not name suffix, leave item 37a blank. See the Name Editing Instructions
in the General Instructions section above for additional information on entering names in fields.
35. Tax identification number of account owner
Item 35. Enter the Taxpayer Identification Number of the account owner. Numbers should be entered as a single
number string without formatting or special characters such as parentheses, spaces, or hyphens.
Item 35a. TIN type. Check the appropriate box to indicate the type of number entered in item 35. If the TIN type is
unknown, select the “Unknown” option.
38-42. Account owner mailing address
38. Mailing address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.)
39. City
40. State
41. ZIP/Postal Code
42. Country
Items 38- 42. Enter the address of the account owner. If the individual account owner resides in the United States,
enter the street address of the individual account owner’s United States residence, not a post office box. If the
individual account owner resides outside the United States, enter the individual account owner’s United States mailing
address. If the account owner has no U.S. mailing address the filer may provide a foreign address. Enter an
organization account owner’s United States mailing address. See the Addresses instructions in the General Instruction
section above for additional information on entering address data in fields.
43. Filer’s title with this owner
Item 43. Enter filer’s title for the position which gives him signature authority over the owner’s account.
Part V — Information on financial account(s) where filer is filing a consolidated report
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An entity that is a United States person that owns directly or indirectly a greater than 50 percent interest in another
entity that is required to file an FBAR is permitted to file a consolidated FBAR on behalf of itself and such other entity.
Check box “2d” in Part I and complete Part V. If filing a consolidated FBAR and reporting 25 or more foreign financial
accounts, complete only Part V Items 34-42 for each entity included in the consolidated FBAR. If additional Part V’s
are required, click on the “+” sign on the electronic report to add copies.
15-23. Account Information
Items 15-23. Enter the information about the account and the financial institution in which the account is held. See
Part II for instructions on Items 15-23.
34. Organization name of account owner
Item 34. Organization name of account owner. Enter the legal name of the account owner as shown on the books of
the financial institution.
35. Tax Identification Number of account owner
Item 35. Taxpayer identification number (TIN) of account owner. Numbers should be entered with no spaces, dashes,
or other punctuation.
Item 35a. TIN type. Check the appropriate box to indicate the type on number entered in item 35.
38-42. Account owner mailing address
Items 38-42. Enter the account owner’s mailing address. See Part III for instructions on Items 38-42.
Signature
44. Filer Signature
Item 44. A discrete or batch-filed FBAR is considered signed by the filer when electronically signed with a PIN on the
header/cover page of the discrete FBAR or the element <PreparerFilingSignatureIndicator> or
<ThirdPartyPreparerIndicator> contains a “Y” value in the XML batch file.
44a. Check here if this report is completed by a third party preparer.
Item 44a. Check this box if the FBAR has been completed by a third party preparer. Complete in the Third Party
Preparer Use Only section all of Items 47 through 59 that apply.
45. Filer Title, if not reporting a personal account.
Item 45. Enter the filer’s title when the individual that is filing the FBAR has signature authority over the account(s) or
is authorized to file on behalf of a legal entity, such as a corporation, which is shown as the filer. Leave Item 45 blank
if the filer is reporting as an individual because of a personal financial interest in the account(s). An individual filing
because of a financial interest in his individual accounts is filing as an individual.
46. Date (MM/DD/YYYY)
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Item 46. This item will auto-populate with the current date when a discrete FBAR is signed on the header/cover page
with the filer’s PIN. In a batch-filed FBAR this date is the date recorded in the <ApprovalOfficialSignatureDateText>
element.
Note: When the FBAR is completed, return to the header/cover page to validate the report, save a copy of the report,
print a copy for your records. Then sign with your PIN and submit the report.
Third party preparer information
Note: Completion of this section is not required for spouses filing jointly.
47-49. Third party preparer name
47. Preparer’s last name
48. First name
49. Middle name/initial
Items 47. Enter the name of the preparation firm employee or of the self-employed preparer that prepared the FBAR.
If the preparer has no middle name/initial, leave that field blank. See the Name Editing Instructions under General
Instructions for additional information on entering names.
50. Check if self-employed
Item 50. Check this box if the third party preparer is a self-employed individual. Leave Items 53 “Firm’s name” and 54
“Firm’s EIN” blank.
51. TIN
Item 51. Enter the U.S. or foreign Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of the preparation firm’s employee or the self-
employed preparer. This should be the Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) issued to the preparer by the IRS. If
the preparer has no PTIN, enter the preparer’s Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Taxpayer Identification
Number (ITIN), or foreign TIN. The TIN should be entered as a single number string without formatting or special
characters such as parentheses, spaces, or hyphens.
Item 51a. TIN type. Check the appropriate box to indicate the type of number entered in item 51.
52. Contact phone number
52a. Ext.
Item 52-52a. Enter the third party preparer’s contact telephone number in Item 53 and the telephone extension
number, if any, in Item 52a. Enter all numbers with no formatting such as spaces, dashes, or other punctuation.
53. Firm’s name
Item 53. Enter the name of the preparing firm. Leave Item 53 blank if the self-employment box in Item 50 was
checked.
54. Firm’s TIN
Item 54. Enter the preparing firm’s TIN. Leave Item 54 blank if the self-employment box in Item 50 was checked.
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Item 54a. TIN type. Check the appropriate box to indicate the type of number entered in item 54.
55-59. Preparer’s address
55. Mailing address (number, street, apt. or suite no.)
56. City
57. State
58. ZIP/Postal Code
59. Country
Items 55-59. Enter the preparing firm’s or self-employed preparer’s address. Follow the Addresses instructions in the
General Instructions for additional information on entering addresses in these items.
Penalties
A person who is required to file an FBAR and fails to properly file may be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed
$10,000 per violation. If there is reasonable cause for the failure and the balance in the account is properly reported,
no penalty will be imposed. A person who willfully fails to report an account or account identifying information may
be subject to a civil monetary penalty equal to the greater of $100,000 or 50 percent of the balance in the account at
the time of the violation. See 31 U.S.C. section 5321(a)(5). Willful violations may also be subject to criminal penalties
under 31 U.S.C. section 5322(a), 31 U.S.C. section 5322(b), or 18 U.S.C. section 1001.
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Secure Data Transfer Mode Filers
FinCEN provides the ability for filers to submit the FBAR XML batch file securely via the Internet using a VPN device or
Connect:Direct software. This method of filing is referred to as Secure Data Transfer Mode (SDTM). SDTM allows for a
secure, system to system mechanism for transferring batch submissions from your organization’s internal server to
the BSA E-Filing server. The batch submission process can be automated such that user intervention/involvement is
minimized. There is no interaction with the BSA E-Filing system web site for the upload of the batch file but the BSA
E-Filing system web site is used to track the status of the submissions.
For filers using this option for filing, SDTM filers can submit a single file containing the FBAR XML batch data. The file
naming convention is as follows:
Submission type: FBARXST
Date/Time: This will be a date-time stamp to guarantee filename uniqueness
Year = YYYY
Month = MM
Day = DD
Hour = hh
Minute = mm
Second = ss
Organization name: Custom naming by the submitting organization (e.g. “ABCPreparingFirm”)
Extension: xml
Example FBAR XML batch file name: FBARXST.20170609153015.ABCPreparingFirm.xml
Corresponding FBAR XML batch Acknowledgement file name: This file name will match the corresponding input
FBAR XML batch file name with the text “*.ACKED” appended to the end. For example:
FBARXST.20170609153015.ABCPreparingFirm.xml.ACKED
For more information on how to setup an SDTM connection, please refer to the SDTM Requirements documentation
available on the BSA E-Filing System secure side, or you may contact the BSA E-Filing Help Desk at 1-866-346-9478 or
via email at [email protected]. The Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.
Please note that the Help Desk is closed on Federal holidays.
