Grinch

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do
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all
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Please then provide us some information on this structuring. Until you do I will
consider anything you have posted as suspect.

Grinch

paulgani

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Even my pea brain understood what the Customs site said.

The key is "bearer instrument". Is the traveler's check written to a person and
endorsed? Or is it signed with the "payment to" field left empty? If so, it's a
"bearer instrument". Anyone could take the check and use as cash. You must declare
if > $10K.

On the other hand, do you have a non-endorsed traveler's check made out to yourself?
Only YOU can thus deposit the check. Without your endorsement, it is NOT a "bearer
instrument", and does NOT need to be declared!

If you have money to bring into the U.S., you should either (1) have it wired over,
in any amount, or (2) carry a check (cashiers or otherwise), made out to yourself, of
any amount, but NOT endorsed. Once you arrive in the U.S. show Customs your check.
Ask them if you need to fill out a declaration (this IS the proper time to declare it
- they won't accuse you of trying to hide anything!!!) Bet you anything that they'll
say no, you don't need to declare it, since it is NOT a bearer instrument. In fact, a
few people in this newsgroup have done just that, and reported their success to this
newsgroup. That's why Alvena made the statement she did.

Even if they make you declare it due to a mistake on their part, you won't owe a
single penny more in taxes.

Paulgani

Dave

[usenetquote2]> > You appear to be defending your advice by insinuating that I am trying[/usenetquote2]
to
    >
[usenetquote2]> > something under-handed. Bad form.[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > You advised people to commit a serious felony (structuring.) This makes[/usenetquote2]
    >
[usenetquote2]> > your other advice suspect. This needs to be pointed-out.[/usenetquote2]
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I
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Caveat emptor.

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Alvena Ferreira

Dave wrote:
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OK, I have looked at your links, and while I am somewhat underimpressed that there is
a significant danger involved for the average end-user, let's just say that for the
sake of argument, your stance may have some validity : Now that you have told us what
_won't_ work, in your opinion, what _concrete helpful suggestions_ do you have which
may help the original poster? You seem rather well-versed on the subject. Exactly
*how* would YOU suggest that an entering alien fiance or spouse bring money into the
country, legally, and without risk? (since this was the original question) TIA for
providing this information.

Alvena
===
I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice; this is my personal opinion, posted
for the purpose of discussion only:
===
K-1 FAQ: http://www.k1faq.com Timelines: http://www.wkh.org/ A great K-1 Site:
http://pages.prodigy.net/alixtcat/immigrat.htm Marriage Visa Pages:
http://www.mindspring.com/~docsteen/...o/visainfo.htm
===

Jonathan_ATC

Thanks Paulgani! I was just about to explain my quotes to the gentleman and noticed
you did a beautiful job.
--
    >
Steen's Visa Pages http://www.mindspring.com/~docsteen/...o/visainfo.htm
Newsgroup FAQ http://www.k1faq.com Immigration and Naturalization Service
http://www.ins.usdoj.gov {I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. For
reliable legal advice, please consult with a professional immigration attorney.}

[usenetquote2]> > So... Customs is saying 'monetary instruments' include 'travelers[/usenetquote2]
checks'
[usenetquote2]> > and 'monetary instruments' DO NOT include 'travelers checks.'[/usenetquote2]
    >
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<snip>
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Jonathan_ATC

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Of course, there IS no risk. One may bring all the money they desire into the US, tax
free. They just have to declare any amounts over $10K. No big deal. No penalties.
That is what I get from reading the links I provided. No need to "structure" by
bringing in lesser amounts. No penalties for larger amounts. Am I reading something
incorrectly?

--
    >
Steen's Visa Pages http://www.mindspring.com/~docsteen/...o/visainfo.htm
Newsgroup FAQ http://www.k1faq.com Immigration and Naturalization Service
http://www.ins.usdoj.gov {I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. For
reliable legal advice, please consult with a professional immigration attorney.}

The Highlander

"Dave" <[email protected]> wrote
    >
[usenetquote2]> > Judy wrote:[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > > Does anyone know if there is a limit to how much money you can bring[/usenetquote2]
in
    >
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > See this link: http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/travel/travel.htm Pan down to the[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > link "moving to the United States" (middle section, left[/usenetquote2]
    >
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > According to what I read at the above link, you must declare over $10,000. There[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > are 2 ways around this:[/usenetquote2]
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[usenetquote2]> > 1. wire the money ahead of time to your fiance's/spouse's bank account in chunks[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > of under $10,000 each time and it will not be reported to the IRS (by law the[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > banks must report over $10,000)[/usenetquote2]
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years
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Dave's post is known as "trolling", a TOSable offence with most ISPs.

Transferring money between your own accounts, whether in your own name or jointly
with your spouse is hardly "structuring".

Alvena Ferreira

Jonathan_ATC wrote:
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What I am addressing, Jonathan, is HOW someone can bring in a large sum SAFELY...ie,
if this poster insists that wiring is not safe and may cause legal problems, and if
he suggests that a cashier's check is not safe, then what in the holy hell does he
suggest? I want to know. If he knows this much about it, then just maybe he has
something positive to offer the group...and that is what I am trying to find out:
whether he knows something or whether he is just another mind-bending troll.

Alvena
===
I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice; this is my personal opinion, posted
for the purpose of discussion only:
===
K-1 FAQ: http://www.k1faq.com Timelines: http://www.wkh.org/ A great K-1 Site:
http://pages.prodigy.net/alixtcat/immigrat.htm Marriage Visa Pages:
http://www.mindspring.com/~docsteen/...o/visainfo.htm
===

Alvena Ferreira

The Highlander wrote:
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    >

I have to agree. What we did was this:

1. we put arnaldo's name on my checking account. It was in effect, a joint account
after that. Our bank did not require him to have a SS number in order to add his
name, they told us that they only required one SS number on the account, and mine
was already on it. By the way, we did this while he was here visiting before he
got the visa, and that made it easier to get his name on the account, because you
do have to sign something to get this done (however it could have been done "long
distance".
2. wired in money on 2 diffferent occasions, under $10K each time.
3. saved the transaction slips that you get on sender and receiver end.
4. confirmed that the money arrived (it takes a day or two for it to actually be
reflected in the account balance usually)

So basically, using this method, Arnaldo was merely wiring money into his own
account. Arguably, some people might not be comfortable adding the name to the
account before the marriage...however, we were.

Alvena
===
I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice; this is my personal opinion, posted
for the purpose of discussion only:
===
K-1 FAQ: http://www.k1faq.com Timelines: http://www.wkh.org/ A great K-1 Site:
http://pages.prodigy.net/alixtcat/immigrat.htm Marriage Visa Pages:
http://www.mindspring.com/~docsteen/...o/visainfo.htm
===

Jonathan_ATC

Yes, I think that is the burning question for all of us.

--
    >
Steen's Visa Pages http://www.mindspring.com/~docsteen/...o/visainfo.htm
Newsgroup FAQ http://www.k1faq.com Immigration and Naturalization Service
http://www.ins.usdoj.gov {I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. For
reliable legal advice, please consult with a professional immigration attorney.}

    >
[usenetquote2]> > Of course, there IS no risk. One may bring all the money they desire[/usenetquote2]
into
[usenetquote2]> > the US, tax free. They just have to declare any amounts over $10K. No[/usenetquote2]
big
[usenetquote2]> > deal. No penalties. That is what I get from reading the links I[/usenetquote2]
provided.
[usenetquote2]> > No need to "structure" by bringing in lesser amounts. No penalties for larger[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > amounts. Am I reading something incorrectly?[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
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billypilgrim

[usenetquote2]>> 1. wire the money ahead of time to your fiance's/spouse's bank account in chunks[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> of under $10,000 each time and it will not be reported to the IRS (by law the[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> banks must report over $10,000)[/usenetquote2]
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Technically, banks have to report any deposit over $10,000 to the IRS. If a
customer deposits smaller amounts on consecutive days that add up to over
$10,000, the bank may notice it and report it. Or they may not. Similarly, any
large amount of money that doesn't fit the customer's normal banking patterns
(for example, a 16 year old who normally deposits $100 suddenly depositing $4000)
may be reported. This is at the discretion of the bank.

I'm fairly certain, from my years in banking, that there would need to be more
involved than making separate wire transfers over a period of time for the bank
to be able to prosecute. The way you describe it, if I deposit $5000 now and then
come into another $6000 in two days, I'm a criminal. This is not the case. There
has to be more involved.

To be safe, I'd spread the amounts out over a longer period. Wire some now, and
some a few weeks from now.

Beth

billypilgrim

----------

[usenetquote2]>> Of course, there IS no risk. One may bring all the money they desire into the US,[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> tax free. They just have to declare any amounts over $10K. No big deal. No[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> penalties. That is what I get from reading the links I provided. No need to[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> "structure" by bringing in lesser amounts. No penalties for larger amounts. Am I[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>> reading something incorrectly?[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]>>[/usenetquote2]
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Alvena, if you were one of my former customers in the bank, I would have
recommended issuing a wire transfer as the safest and fastest way (foreign checks
sometimes take quite a while to clear). If the customer questioned the $10,000
rule, I would advise them that it is simply reported to the IRS. If someone is
afraid of having their money reported to the IRS, I'd be suspicious.

I would generally call the branch manager if I had a customer asking me too many
questions about the $10,000 rule, since if they are that afraid of being reported
to the IRS, something suspicious is usually going on.

They would probably need heaps of evidence that you were up to no good to get a
jury to convict you on a charge involving repeat deposits adding to over $10,000
on an innocent transaction between married people.

And to answer the original posters question, I'd say that to be safe, declare
anything over $10,000, because there's nothing to be gained by NOT declaring it.

Dave is simply trying to be inflammatory, as you were quick to notice.

Beth

Dave

[snip]

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Troll?? Look, you idiot. You told someone to commit a CRIME.

What on god's green earth is wrong with you people? You told them to commit
structuring. That's a crime.

What the hell is trollish about my pointing that out?

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billypilgrim

----------
in message

[usenetquote2]>> Technically, banks have to report any deposit over $10,000 to the IRS.[/usenetquote2]
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You are right, of course. My banking memories are getting fuzzy as time goes by.
I do believe that most wire transfers are reported too (as a matter of policy),
but I could be wrong.

I was just trying to point out that Dave was possibly over-exaggerating the
liklihood of the average Joe having a file opened on him for making a few repeat
deposits....

Beth

Dave

    >
[usenetquote2]> > "Alvena Ferreira" <[email protected]> wrote[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > > Judy wrote:[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > > > Does anyone know if there is a limit to how much money you can bring[/usenetquote2]
    >
[usenetquote2]> > undeclared[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > > See this link: http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/travel/travel.htm Pan down to the[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > > link "moving to the United States" (middle section,[/usenetquote2]
left
[usenetquote2]> > side)[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > > According to what I read at the above link, you must declare over $10,000.[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > > There are 2 ways around this:[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > Hmm....[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > > 1. wire the money ahead of time to your fiance's/spouse's bank account in[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > > chunks of under $10,000 each time and it will not be reported to[/usenetquote2]
the
[usenetquote2]> > > IRS (by law the banks must report over $10,000)[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> >[/usenetquote2]
[usenetquote2]> > This is known as "structuring," a federal crime punishable by up to 5[/usenetquote2]
    >
[usenetquote2]> > in federal prison.[/usenetquote2]
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You people are grossly mis-informed about federal money-laundering laws.