Hi all,

I hope you are well.

I am going to Vegas at the end of June.

I understand that there is a tax treaty between the US and UK. Does anyone know the up-to-date situation as to whether I need to apply for an ITIN or the best course of action for me to take?

If I win a tournament or playing cash games, what happens? I have been to Vegas once before and never had anything withheld when I cashed out at the desk after playing cash games. I do plan on playing some bigger tournaments though this year.

Is it possible that casinos withhold tax and then I have to claim it back?

I believe that it used to be the case that you would ask for a W8-BEN and then get the casino to give you a TIN. You would then fill out a few forms and give your ID. Is this still the case? Is there a way for me to do this before travelling to Vegas to save time?

Thanks.

They will fill out an exemption form and there is 0 tax.

Makes my life easier.

Thank you!

The WSOP still assists you in applying for an ITIN but you might need additional proof of your residential address like a utility bill if your passport doesn't show one. (my passport doesn't show one and I'm not even a resident of the country that I'm a citizen of)

I've read from several people that they weren't able to obtain one from different casinos though. So YMMV on that one.

Might have been like that couple of years ago, but not anymore. At least not at Cesars or MGM properties, but who knows maybe WSOP is different. I didn’t have to confirm anything luckily.

I am from the UK. I go to the series every year, but had never before previously won enough for this to be a consideration. The cut off level for tournament winnings is $5000. Above that, they withhold a %age.

I won a deepstack in November for $6000. The WSOP were really helpful. They did all the paperwork for me and I was given my winnings gross. 3 months later I received official documents from the IRS certifying my exemption.

It might be difficult to persuade them to go through the trouble of setting this up for you unless you win a relevant amount, but based on my experience I would expect the WSOP people to help you out if you cash for >5k.

Thanks.

What about if you win say 10k playing cash?

Table games and cash games are exempt from any tax.

Hi all,

Thanks to the OP for making this thread and for the helpful replies.

I’m resident in the U.K. and staying at Bally’s shortly for a week during the WSOP. Does anyone have any experience of how Bally’s approaches this matter, IE do they auto exempt from tax the players from the treaty countries in the event they make a big tournament cash, or is there a form to be filled out?

Thanks in advance

Hey guys,

I heard that the WSOP could not give an ITIN this year to the non-US players.

Does anyone know how you should proceed to get an ITIN to avoid the 30% tax for cashes over 5000$ if you re not from the USA?

You should be able to contact any local tax accountant. They can do it for you in a few minutes and should not charge much to do it. It ask how much first.

Quick check with accountant spouse…PITA for individual to get ITIN. Average is about 10 days but you need to go to irs center it mail app in.

However if you could request one as a biz and then use it (doubt you can easily do this) you can easily get a business ITIN much much quicker and all online. But I doubt wsop would let you reg using your biz ITIN

I tried to help a friend get his winnings without tax deducted but it was difficult. Since moving from the Rio the WSOP team can no longer issue ITIN numbers and the only option we were given was to take 70% of the winnings and then make a claim for the rest. Other casinos were happy to help issue an ITIN but only if we'd won big there.

Just cashed for a small amount and asked them.

They said they applied to the federal government in December but the government never got back to them. Therefore they cant help right now.

Lol Casesars and the government what an efficient team

Hopefully this is sorted by next wsop

Also, is it only the portion above 5k that is taxed?

No, it’s the whole amount, but they’ll remove your buyin.

Hi I cashed in the World series and had issue with ITIN. I am from Ireland and was not able to take out any of my winnings. Currently trying to fill out the convoluted IRS forms. Anyone else in the same boat? Any help would be appreciated. Other options is to get forms done by tax official here but got quoted 500$ for that for filling out 5/6 forms.

I saw a sign next to registration on the Paris side for an accountant to help international players recover their tax. From the recent responses it looks like WSOP is happy to just go with that for future series rather than provide the necessary forms themselves

Cant help but you aren't alone. Was at DTD yesterday talking to a few people who had scores at the WSOP and was loads of Brits who had to come home with the 30% withheld until they could sort out the ITIN.

I can confirm that Bally's/Paris was not able to issue ITINs throughout the WSOP. Normally, they are able to do so for nonresidents who reside in a tax treaty country. However, as others mentioned, they were never approved to do so for 2022, so they were not able to issue any throughout. Some casinos on the strip are still able to issue ITINs, but it would require winning an amount that triggers a tax form ($1,200+ slot, $5,000+ - after buy-in - poker win, etc.). Since the WSOP is over, many players have already cashed out and had 30% withheld. The only option to recoup that money is to apply for an ITIN and file a U.S. tax return, claiming the treaty benefit, for the 2022 tax year.

I expect the WSOP to figure this out moving forward, as it was a disaster for many foreign players. However, if they do not, be prepared for 30% withholding again, even if you reside in a tax treaty country. I would suggest reaching out to the WSOP in early 2023 to see if there is progress on this issue. If they are still not able to process ITINs, I would highly recommend starting that process on your own, or with a firm, so everything is settled before the WSOP. If you use a Certified Acceptance Agent in the U.S., it currently takes about 2 months for the IRS to process these applications, if not longer. That timeline could change in 2023, but it is something to consider.

Hi guys,

I had a few scores last summer at Wsop and couldn't get my money right away because I didn't have an ITIN number. Luckily I cashed in another tourney at the Wynn and they sent an ITIN number application for me. They said it would take up to 3 month to get it and that I would receive it by mail. It has been 6 months and I still haven't received it.

I reached out to the Wynn poker room, they said they hadn't received it either. Is there any other way I can check if my number has been generated or do you have any advice for me?

Thank you so much

Hi,

I was just wondering if you got this sorted in the end. Hope you did.

Does anybody (UK or otherwise) know if the ITIN situation was sorted for WSOP 2023?

Or otherwise, any reasonable routes to take in Vegas if WSOP won't issue. I've looked into applying for an ITIN from the UK but it costs £500+ so prob not worth it (in case I don't end up cashing).

I'm going for the first time in 15 years this year and would love not to deal with the stress and uncertainty if I do manage to cash!

ITIN situation wasn't fixed as of last WSOP at paris or the venetian that im aware of. Cashed at the venetian and was withheld x amount. Applied for the ITIN myself and filed a tax return sent it off a few weeks ago cost me zero except for postage. The forms looks daunting but if do enough research and send off your passport it can be done for free.