Reclaiming taxes from winning in Vegas?

[Thaco]

So, i figured some of the ballers here might have some experience in this field...

I was in Vegas last week, i got a relatively small win, won $1400, the hotel withheld ~$400 in taxes, not a huge amount, but I say it's better in my pocket than theirs...

Anybody reclaimed the taxes by themselves? i found lots of places online that'll do it for a fee, but i figured if it's easy enough, i could do it myself for nothing, i am not afraid of a little paperwork...

[rage2]

Use the services that charge a fee. Doing it yourself is a PITA. You have to get a tax ID (form W7), submit your passport, then wait 6 months to get the ID. Here's the W7 application:

http://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw7/index.html

After that, there's another form, can't remember what it was, to get your refund. Which takes another few months to process.

You're looking at a huge wait, and can't travel cuz they take your passport for months processing your tax ID. Once you do this once, it's a lot easier, getting the Tax ID is a pain in the ass.

[eiysa101]

Sorry to derail but how did you win? If it was at a table game did they just withhold the amount when you tried to cash out? Can't you just say that's the amount you bought in with and bring back a fatter wallet on the way back?

[Thaco]

Originally posted by rage2
Use the services that charge a fee. Doing it yourself is a PITA. You have to get a tax ID (form W7), submit your passport, then wait 6 months to get the ID. Here's the W7 application:

http://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw7/index.html

After that, there's another form, can't remember what it was, to get your refund. Which takes another few months to process.

You're looking at a huge wait, and can't travel cuz they take your passport for months processing your tax ID. Once you do this once, it's a lot easier, getting the Tax ID is a pain in the ass.

Thanks, any suggestions for reasonable service at a decent rate? it's only $400, so I just want to make sure it's not gonna cost me more than it's worth.



Originally posted by eiysa101
Sorry to derail but how did you win? If it was at a table game did they just withhold the amount when you tried to cash out? Can't you just say that's the amount you bought in with and bring back a fatter wallet on the way back? I wont at bingo, won a progressive on a cash ball.

[rage2]

No clue, sorry man. I don't gamble haha. I go to Vegas to eat and party.

I just remember the process because I looked it up for someone a few yrs ago.

[Thaco]

Originally posted by rage2
No clue, sorry man. I don't gamble haha. I go to Vegas to eat and party.

I just remember the process because I looked it up for someone a few yrs ago. yeah, me too typically, Bingo wasn't gambling, it was an excuse to drink free beer :) but since I won... I figured I'd look in to it.

i guess google to the rescue...

[e31]

I use the same W7 form whenever I do business with American companies. The IRS really pressures those guys to withhold taxes unless you can prove yourself exempt. If you have the W7 filled out and submit it to the business/hotel/casino then they should be allowed to pay out the full amount, without resorting to the long drawn out process to get a tax refund from the US gov't. But this wont help you now anyway...

I'm not sure if casino winnings have some other procedures; but if I'm not paid in full, the customer doesn't get my services. It's just a pain in the ass when I'm forced to do extra paperwork doing business with Americans.