ITIN.... US Tax Return.... UK Player.... The $1200 suckout...

**BubbleG** · 17th February 2007, 12:38 AM

This was mentioned in the Neteller thread but I though it deserved a thread of its own.

The $1200 threshold is indeed true for wins on slots or video poker. Fortunately it does not matter if you build the bank up from small wins but if you hit a win of 1200$ or more it is taxable at 30%. I hit 4 Aces on white hot Aces for $1200 and was gutted to find out I was going to be taxed. I ended up collecting $840.

Its not all bad news, the US and UK have some solid tax treaties in place so we just have to file the relevant tax return to reclaim the money. As yet I have no idea what forms to fill in but ive already contacted the IRS and have the forms to fill in, ill let you all know which forms they are when I get round to filling them in.

What no one ever tells you before hand is there is this thing called an ITIN (International Tax Identification Number) If you can produce an ITIN card in the casino they wont withhold on you, again the IRS will provide you with this form. Its a must for any player plannin a trip to the US and who will be playing 1$+ VP or slots. Something you learn with expierience or after hitting a big win and getting clobbered

If anyone has anymore details on this please post it. I have no clue about filling a US tax return so this next few days should be fun because I will be doing just that, and applying for the ITIN... Ill post here what forms I'm filling in as and when I get round to them.

Bad news if your a canadian, in the words of the casino supervisor who paid me.... You have absolutley no chance of ever seeing this withheld $$$ ever again.

**lojo** · 17th February 2007, 01:29 AM

Good info. I'll watch the thread for friends. A couple of clarifications? This 'on the spot' withholding is only for international visitors. We yanks just claim it as 'other income'. Also, it would seem our northern neighbors can use a form 1042-s or W7. The ITIN is an individual taxpayer identification number and is used only for federal taxes. Also the W7 form can't be used if you have a US social Security number or can get one. Canadians can get commercial assistance, just google casino tax rebate or similar. I don't know anything about those companies.

Good luck

**BubbleG** · 17th February 2007, 02:19 PM

Ok then... These are the forms the IRS sent me...

W-7 Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

W-8BEN Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding + Instructions

You also need form 1042-S Copy B, C and D. C is for attaching to any Federal tax return and D is for attaching to any State tax return. These documents should be provided by the withholding agent at the time of the withhold.

Hopefully this is everything I will need to A) reclaim the $360 withheld and B) Not be subject to withholding again.

BRB

**BubbleG** · 17th February 2007, 02:49 PM

Im totally fucking confused already......

**tim5ny** · 17th February 2007, 04:11 PM

I think you have to claim losses equal or greater than your win to get this money back. They can require proof of these losses if they want to.

**Simmo!** · 17th February 2007, 05:23 PM

When I was in Vegas with the Meister, he hit a slot for $5k and as far as I could work out he was able to claim the lot (albeit the following day). Maybe he can expand on this?

**BubbleG** · 17th February 2007, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Simmo!

When I was in Vegas with the Meister, he hit a slot for $5k and as far as I could work out he was able to claim the lot (albeit the following day). Maybe he can expand on this?

The forms I'm looking at would suggest you can do that, I guess if you happen to have a form with you or know to request this of the casino. They gave me the filled in 1042-s and said I would need this to reclaim the taxes paid. So far I cant even work out were to send the forms W-8BEN, it seem like this must be sent to the withholder.

Where im at is tryin to work out whether or not the W-8BEN is the actual return, when I fill it in and find out where to send it will I get my money back? As for the W-7 form, this confused me right from the start. Ie what is the reason i'm subbmitting the form? Do I just want an ITIN? Is this a permanent thing or a one off thing to claim tax breaks under certain treaties, Ie the meisters win or reason for subbmitting option b non resident alien filing a U.S. Tax Return (because I didn't do it while I was in the casino) now is the W-8BEN the Tax Return, if so what do I do with because the IRS says send this to the withholder yet on the W-7 with option B It says must be sent with your tax return.

LOOOOOOOOOOOl im so confused...... I must be real thick!!!

Im self employed in the UK and a Tax Return is called a Tax Return, it may be confusing when you open it but at least you know the form is correct and where to send it. LOLOL

**GrandMaster** · 17th February 2007, 07:39 PM

Just of the top of my head: W7 is to get an ITIN, which you keep for life, unless you get a US social security number at some point in the future. W8-BEN is to confirm your non-resident status, 1042S shows the amount paid to you and the amount of tax withheld, make sure you keep it safe. You will need to file a US tax return (1040NR) next year to claim a refund of the amount withheld, I don't know of any other way of doing it.

**BubbleG** · 17th February 2007, 09:34 PM

That makes sense, I got mention of the 1040-NR when I contacted the IRS but they never sent it when they sent the W-7 or W-8BEN.

I was in Vegas last October so can I not file the 1040-NR anytime now along with the W-7? Who get the W-8BEN, the casino I got withheld at or IRS?

**GrandMaster** · 17th February 2007, 09:39 PM

If it was last year, then you can file now or as soon as you get your ITIN. You can download the 1040NR form and the instructions from the IRS website.