Guide to recovering withheld taxes in the USA
I put together a quick but wordy guide for fellow members that are heading to the US for the WSOP and other tournaments. Should you cash in a tournament and have taxes withheld this will help you get some if not all of your money back. I have simplified this as much as possible and have filed returns not only for myself but many others as well without incident so use this if you'd like and if you have any questions feel free to PM or post them.
Cheers.
This is a quick guide to filing a US Federal Return to recover any or all of your withheld taxed winnings.
First off if this is your first time filing a US Federal Return as a Canadian you will need to file along with your return a W-7 (Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or ITIN).
You can download a W-7 Form here http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf
This form is self explanatory and easy to fill in, under the Reason you are submitting Form W-7 section just tick off the (a) Nonresident alien required to obtain ITIN to claim tax treaty benefit box.
Next fill out the Name/Address/Birth Information/Sign Here Sections.
That is all the information you will need for your W-7 Application.
Step 2
Step 2 has changed, Ill try and post a simply version later. Feel free to PM me and I'll try and help out.
You will now need to submit Identification (supporting Documentation) Other then submitting an original valid passport or a notarized/certified copy of one, you will need to get a copy of your birth certificate and driver’s license (or another picture ID) notarized. Any original documents you send will be returned to you (you do not need to provide a return envelope)
Now you are DONE. The final step is to mail and file your return with the U.S and you can do so by mailing it to the following address.
Internal Revenue Services
ITIN Operation
P.O. Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342
If you are using a private delivery service (example FedEx) you can submit all documents to:
Internal Revenue Service
Submission Processing Center
ITIN Operation
Mail Stop 6090-AUSC
3651 S. Interregional, HWY 35
Austin, TX 78741-0000
Hope this helps a few of you this year after you cash in the WSOP or other tournaments. If you need any help or would like my services (as I do this as part of my occupation) please feel free to drop me a PM.
Cheers.
This is a quick guide to filing a US Federal Return to recover any or all of your withheld taxed winnings.
First off if this is your first time filing a US Federal Return as a Canadian you will need to file along with your return a W-7 (Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or ITIN).
You can download a W-7 Form here http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf
This form is self explanatory and easy to fill in, under the Reason you are submitting Form W-7 section just tick off the (a) Nonresident alien required to obtain ITIN to claim tax treaty benefit box.
Next fill out the Name/Address/Birth Information/Sign Here Sections.
That is all the information you will need for your W-7 Application.
Step 2
Step 2 has changed, Ill try and post a simply version later. Feel free to PM me and I'll try and help out.
You will now need to submit Identification (supporting Documentation) Other then submitting an original valid passport or a notarized/certified copy of one, you will need to get a copy of your birth certificate and driver’s license (or another picture ID) notarized. Any original documents you send will be returned to you (you do not need to provide a return envelope)
Now you are DONE. The final step is to mail and file your return with the U.S and you can do so by mailing it to the following address.
Internal Revenue Services
ITIN Operation
P.O. Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342
If you are using a private delivery service (example FedEx) you can submit all documents to:
Internal Revenue Service
Submission Processing Center
ITIN Operation
Mail Stop 6090-AUSC
3651 S. Interregional, HWY 35
Austin, TX 78741-0000
Hope this helps a few of you this year after you cash in the WSOP or other tournaments. If you need any help or would like my services (as I do this as part of my occupation) please feel free to drop me a PM.