Nicola.
You can read here about TIN number
last read:
The good news, is that the US has a double taxation treaty with the UK. Any decent
, once you have told them you are British, should ask for proof (passport, driving licence etc) and then give you a couple of forms to fill out. Then you should be paid the full amount of your winnings.
The bottom line is , as a UK resident you are NOT subject to witholding tax on your winnings at a US casino as long as you fill out the right forms (check this out at the
website)
Ask for a W8-BEN and get the casino to get you a TIN…they are the forms you need to fill out. And take proof of ID..ie your passport and drivers licence. They will also ask for your tax reference number, (National Insurance number), so make sure you write this down before you go.
Some less salubrious casinos may tell you you have to pax tax on winnings….but if you are tax resident in the UK you DON’T. The USA has tax treaties with many countries and the UK is one of them.
If the guy at the cash-out isn’t aware of the rule, call for the boss. You can always print the details out from the IRS website and keep it with you.
Not all foreigners in Las Vegas get refunds. As far as we know (always check this yourself), residents of the following countries
do:
(defined by treaty) the following foreign countries are not taxable by theUS: Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
For those not from those countries, you would be subject to NRA withholding at 30% on the gross proceeds from gambling won in the US.
Thsi is what the IRS says:
“the IRS reminds people that they must report all gambling winnings as income on their tax return.
Gambling income includes, but is not limited to, winnings from lotteries, raffles, horse and dog races and casinos, as well as the fair market value of prizes such as cars, houses, trips or other non cash prizes.
You cannot deduct gambling losses that are more than your winnings.”
If you are a big jackpot winner in Las Vegas, it is better to be a UK resident than a US resident!