Asked in Tax Law for California

Q: Do I have to pay taxes? If I do, how much would it be and how to do it?

I am a non US citizen living outside of the US who just got $85,150 deposited into my US bank account. This money came from a conversion of cash that I had in a drilled safe deposit box to a cashiers check and into my account. It figures as "bank credit".

Do I have to pay taxes for this money? If I do, how much would it be and how to do it? I do not have any other source of income in the US.

Thank you.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Tax Law Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: In the U.S., taxes are primarily based on income. If the deposit into your U.S. bank account represents a conversion of your own funds and not income earned, it is generally not considered taxable income. However, there are reporting requirements for foreign bank accounts and large cash transactions. If this is the only transaction and you have no other U.S. source income, you may not owe U.S. taxes.

To ensure compliance with all U.S. tax laws and reporting obligations, you should consider consulting with a tax attorney or accountant familiar with international tax issues. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation. Always ensure you are compliant with the tax laws in your home country as well.

1 user found this answer helpful

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.