Vegas Tournament Winnings - Tax

[EagleBeagle]

Hi

Off to Vegas at Easter.

On a previous visit several years ago I had 30% tax withheld from tournament winnings over $600 (issued with a WG2 (?)), as I did not have a US tax identity number.

On another forum, I've read Ross Boatman's article saying under the UK/US double tax treaty, all you need to do is sign a form to avoid having tax dedcuted.

Can anyone tell me how this work?  Do I need to get a tax ID number before I go or is it a US form I sign when (if) I win?  If the latter, which form it is, as when I had tax deducted, they knew I was from the UK and said they had to withhold tax as I had no US ID number.

I know many casinos pay winnings in chips which seems to get around the whole problem, but I'm intending to play at Caesers where I hear they don't do this.

Thanks in Advance.

EB

[mikkyT]

You need to get it now before you go. I heard rumours of having to apply a year in advance.

If you dont have the relevant details, you can do a claim for rebate when you return to the UK anyway.

[Jim-D]

    

I have no clue but welcome to the forum EagleBeagle.

[ariston]

Go sit in the Bellagio cash game for an hour or so and have a big pull up (more than 5k). When you leave the table (hopefully having not done you bllx) speak to the card room manager and explain you need to get an ITIN number. They will just get you to sign the form and issue you with the relevant information. Use this number whenever you cash at any casino in america. You will need your british passport to get this done. I would imagine they have a similar system at ceasars but I know for a fect they do it at Bellagio.

[doubleup]

(hopefully having not done you bllx)

There's always a bit of small print in any plan

I have heard that the Bellagio is the place to go for this - some of the other Casinos are less than helpful.

[mikkyT]

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

[winkie]

Last year I played a PLHE tourney at the Mirage, and somehow managed to come second for just over $2,500.

The card room manager filled in a tax form, took a copy of my passport, and issued a temporary tax number.

I was given the full $2,500 (minus a little tips for the dealers and waitresses).

Will hopefully be back in Vegas sometime this year, and will be contacting the Mirage for my tax number.

Hope this helps...