Should I submit an amended FBAR after making a minor filing error in the Type of Filer box?

This is actually a common issue with FBAR filings, so try not to stress too much. The "Type of Filer" box is important as it determines how your filing is categorized, but a mistake there is generally considered non-material if all your actual account information is correct. The best practice would be to submit an amended FBAR with the correct filer type selected. You can do this through the BSA E-Filing System where you originally filed. Just prepare a new FBAR with the correct information and indicate it's an amendment to a prior report. The system will walk you through the process. Since all your financial information is accurate and you're voluntarily correcting a minor error, this type of amendment is unlikely to trigger any penalties or additional scrutiny. The FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) is primarily concerned with willful non-disclosure of foreign accounts, not honest mistakes on form fields that you're proactively fixing.

I went through almost the exact same situation last year! I checked the wrong box on my FBAR and was panicking about it. I used taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it was honestly a game-changer for me. I uploaded my FBAR filing and it immediately identified not just the filer type error but also a couple other minor issues I hadn't even noticed. What I really appreciated was that their system explained exactly how to file the amendment properly and even generated a document explaining why the amendment was being submitted that I could include with my filing. They have this feature that specifically handles FBAR amendments and walks you through the whole process step by step.

Just wanted to follow up and say I tried taxr.ai after seeing this thread! I had a similar issue but with the wrong account type selected on my FBAR. Their system instantly identified the problem and showed me exactly what I needed to correct. The step-by-step amendment guide they generated saved me hours of research and confusion. They even have template language you can use to explain the amendment. Seriously relieved to have this sorted out properly instead of worrying about it!

If you're still struggling with this FBAR amendment and need to speak with someone at the IRS (which can be nearly impossible these days), I highly recommend trying Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in FBAR hell last month trying to get clarification on an amendment I needed to file, and after 3 days of being disconnected or waiting on hold for hours, I was ready to lose my mind. A friend suggested Claimyr and it actually worked - they got me connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days. You can see how it works in their demo video here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c but basically they navigate the phone system for you and call you back when they've got an agent on the line. The agent I spoke with gave me specific guidance on my FBAR amendment situation that I couldn't find anywhere online.

Coming back to eat my words. I tried Claimyr today after seeing this thread and... it actually worked. I was completely prepared to post about how it was a scam, but I got through to an IRS specialist in about 45 minutes (which is light years faster than my previous attempts). The agent confirmed that for my specific FBAR error (I also selected the wrong filer type), filing an amended form was the correct approach and walked me through exactly how to indicate it was an amendment. They also noted that simple correction amendments like this rarely trigger any issues. Honestly shocked this service actually delivered what it promised.

FBAR errors are so stressful to deal with! I made a similar mistake last year but it was with account numbers. From my experience, the "type of filer" is actually pretty important because it determines what parts of the form you're required to complete. I'd definitely recommend filing an amended FBAR asap. The peace of mind is worth it. The good news is that FinCEN generally doesn't impose penalties for non-willful errors that you voluntarily correct. Make sure when you file the amendment that you check the "amended filing" box and reference your prior BSA ID number so they can link the two filings.

Just want to add that the IRS has specifically stated they're focusing enforcement efforts on willful violations and significant unreported accounts, not honest mistakes on form fields. If you're correcting a "type of filer" error but all your accounts and amounts are accurately reported, it's extremely low risk. I've prepared hundreds of FBARs for clients and we've filed amendments for simple errors like this many times with zero issues. The important thing is that you're disclosing your foreign accounts properly. The form technicalities, while important to get right, aren't what they're hunting for in terms of enforcement.

I completely understand your stress about this - FBAR errors can feel overwhelming, especially on your first filing! The good news is that selecting the wrong "Type of Filer" box is definitely something you should and can easily fix with an amended filing. Since all your actual account information and financial data are correct, this falls into the category of a non-material error that you're voluntarily correcting. The IRS and FinCEN much prefer when taxpayers proactively fix mistakes rather than hoping they won't be noticed. Here's what I'd recommend: log back into the BSA E-Filing System and prepare an amended FBAR. When you get to the filing type section, select "Amended" and briefly explain in the text field something like "Correcting Type of Filer selection in Box 2." Make sure to reference your original BSA ID number so they can link the filings. The sooner you file the amendment, the better - there's no benefit to waiting. This type of voluntary correction of a form error (as opposed to hiding unreported accounts) is exactly the kind of compliance behavior they want to see. You're doing the right thing by fixing it!

I can relate to the anxiety you're feeling about this FBAR mistake - it's completely normal to be nervous about getting everything right, especially on your first filing! The consensus from everyone here is spot on: filing an amended FBAR is definitely the right approach for correcting the "Type of Filer" error. What might help ease your mind is knowing that the BSA E-Filing System is designed to handle these exact situations. When you log in to file the amendment, the system will guide you through indicating it's a correction to your previous filing. The fact that all your account information and financial data are accurate is the most important part - that shows you're making a good faith effort to comply properly. One small addition to the great advice already given: when you do file the amendment, you might want to save a copy of the confirmation screen or any reference numbers for your records. Having documentation that you proactively corrected the error can be helpful if any questions ever arise down the road. You're handling this exactly the right way by addressing it promptly rather than ignoring it. Take a deep breath - this is a very fixable situation!