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Old 11-08-2005, 12:58 PM
NajdorfDefense NajdorfDefense is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2003
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Default Re: Ed Miller\'s Tax Article

[ QUOTE ]
According to a lawyer friend of mine, part of the ridiculous "USA Patriot Act" requires financial institutions to report all transactions of $2000 or more. I don't know which agencies, etc. ... Naturally, it is also being used to catch tax evaders and in the equally absurd "War on Drugs".

Your money is very visible to the US Government. It is foolish to assume otherwise.

Jim

[/ QUOTE ]

The limit is $10k, and has been for some time, all transactions that size or higher are reported to the UST/IRS.

If you systematically deposit/withdraw slightly less than that - say 9.5k, you are breaking the law and committing a crime known has 'smurfing.' {yes.}
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smurfing_(crime)

These laws have been in effect since the 1980s, they were passed to hinder drug runners.

FWIW, if you are depositing money back and forth in your overseas poker accounts, and not reporting your gains and losses seperately on your tax return, don't be surprised if you get audited and accused of money laundering. Because that is exactly what you are doing.

As Ed Miller said, "I am not a tax lawyer" so do not construe this as advice, but the bar is very high to file as a professional player, basically you have to do it full-time and hold no full-time job, demonstrate skill, keep meticulous records, deduct SE tax, etc, etc. The rules are very similar to filing as a 'professional trader [stocks, etc] and it is a high bar to meet.

US citizens are taxed on their income worldwide, also.

Find a good CPA.

best,

Naj
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