Do I need to bring Social Security Card?

[crusin'2]

OK, I know people don't "usually" win big in the cruise ship casino, but anything is possible!

 

Is it necessary to provide your social security card if you get REALLY lucky and win big in the onboard casino?? I never thought about it before, but some new cruisers are coming with us this time and asked and I didn't know how to answer!!

 

There's got to be someone out there that has won big in the casino and has an answer to this. :D

 

TIA!

Lisa

[PattyG12]

I'd have to say the passport would work? But if you're gambling in International waters, what laws are followed?

[paul929207]

I don't believe that cruise ships operating in international waters file a 1099 with the US government for winners.

[sail7seas]

If you win over a certain sum and I don't recall how much, you must present your passport. You will get a 1099 mailed to you for winnings to be reported on tax return. (Americans that file U.S. tax returns.)

[mousey]

It was my understanding that you don't have to pay taxes on money won in international waters. We had a young man on one of our cruises win $16,000 at the craps table and he didn't have to pay any taxes. That was on a Carnival cruise many years ago. Maybe things have changed.

[wrp96]

OK' date=' I know people don't "usually" win big in the cruise ship casino, but anything is possible!

 

Is it necessary to provide your social security card if you get REALLY lucky and win big in the onboard casino?? I never thought about it before, but some new cruisers are coming with us this time and asked and I didn't know how to answer!!

 

There's got to be someone out there that has won big in the casino and has an answer to this. :D

 

TIA!

Lisa[/quote']

 

Do NOT bring your social security card. If they require anything it will be your passport or you will just be asked to provide your social security number. You should leave your social security card safe at home.

 

 

It was my understanding that you don't have to pay taxes on money won in international waters. We had a young man on one of our cruises win $16,000 at the craps table and he didn't have to pay any taxes. That was on a Carnival cruise many years ago. Maybe things have changed.

 

Incorrect, you would still be required to pay federal income taxes on any winnings.

[paul929207]

It was my understanding that you don't have to pay taxes on money won in international waters. We had a young man on one of our cruises win $16,000 at the craps table and he didn't have to pay any taxes. That was on a Carnival cruise many years ago. Maybe things have changed.

Assuming you are a US citizen, all income is subject to US income tax. However, laws requiring report of income to the IRS do not apply if the money is earned (won) outside the US.

[cb at sea]

You will NOT need your SS card....you should NEVER carry it with you..it should be in a safe place!

If you SHOULD win taxable dollars, you'll just give them your SS #....don't worry, tho...chances of that happening are quite slim!

[BruceMuzz]

The IRS recently ruled that ANYONE who wins over US$1,199 in the casino on an international cruise that has sailed from a US Port must pay U.S. taxes on the winnings - regardless of their nationality.

 

The Casino Manager is responsible for enforcing this regulation.

 

So if a German National flies to the USA and boards a cruise ship in Miami, and wins big in the Casino while crossing the Atlantic, he will be forced to pay U.S. income taxes on his winnings.

[PennyAgain]

bummer!

[tomko2]

The IRS recently ruled that ANYONE who wins over US$1,199 in the casino on an international cruise that has sailed from a US Port must pay U.S. taxes on the winnings - regardless of their nationality.

 

The Casino Manager is responsible for enforcing this regulation.

 

So if a German National flies to the USA and boards a cruise ship in Miami, and wins big in the Casino while crossing the Atlantic, he will be forced to pay U.S. income taxes on his winnings.

 

I have never seen this happen on a cruise ship. When did the ruling come into effect and does it only apply to USA registered ships?

 

Thanks

Kathy:)

[DizzyDallasDi]

The IRS recently ruled that ANYONE who wins over US$1,199 in the casino on an international cruise that has sailed from a US Port must pay U.S. taxes on the winnings - regardless of their nationality.

 

The Casino Manager is responsible for enforcing this regulation.

 

So if a German National flies to the USA and boards a cruise ship in Miami, and wins big in the Casino while crossing the Atlantic, he will be forced to pay U.S. income taxes on his winnings.

 

So, if I (a proud U.S. citizen :D) fly to Italy and board a ship there that does not stop at any U.S. ports, win $10,000 at the black jack table, will I have to pay U.S. taxes on it since I didn't sail from a U.S. port? Oh, what a deal that would be !!

[imsulin]

The IRS recently ruled that ANYONE who wins over US$1,199 in the casino on an international cruise that has sailed from a US Port must pay U.S. taxes on the winnings - regardless of their nationality.

 

The Casino Manager is responsible for enforcing this regulation.

 

So if a German National flies to the USA and boards a cruis kin a BlAe ship in Miami, and wins big in the Casino while crossing the Atlantic, he will be forced to pay U.S. income taxes on his winnings.

 

Excellent post, and you are correct. It applies to anyone of any nationality boarding in a US port. Cross your fingers for that $1999.00 win! We were soooo excited when my SIL won $850 in a BlackJack tournament on RCI a few years ago! Dude, you're gettin' a Dell! (Which has since been upgraded to a MAC)

[wrp96]

So, if I (a proud U.S. citizen :D) fly to Italy and board a ship there that does not stop at any U.S. ports, win $10,000 at the black jack table, will I have to pay U.S. taxes on it since I didn't sail from a U.S. port? Oh, what a deal that would be !!

 

The simple answer is that as a US citizen, you have to pay taxes on all your income whether it's earned in the US or not, so yes if you won $10,000 on your Italian cruise you would still have to pay US taxes on it.

[DizzyDallasDi]

The simple answer is that as a US citizen, you have to pay taxes on all your income whether it's earned in the US or not, so yes if you won $10,000 on your Italian cruise you would still have to pay US taxes on it.

 

I figured that was the case. I'm sure I'll never have to worry about it, though, because the most I've ever won at BJ was $200. ;) Hey, a win is a win is a win when you're in the casino. :)

[wrp96]

I figured that was the case. I'm sure I'll never have to worry about it, though, because the most I've ever won at BJ was $200. ;) Hey, a win is a win is a win when you're in the casino. :)

 

 

Yep the IRS sticks its hands in every pocket, no matter where you earned it or how small the amount. Did you know that technically you should've paid taxes on that $200 you won?:rolleyes: So in your memory you actually lost that $200 right?;)

[DizzyDallasDi]

Yep the IRS sticks its hands in every pocket, no matter where you earned it or how small the amount. Did you know that technically you should've paid taxes on that $200 you won?:rolleyes: So in your memory you actually lost that $200 right?;)

 

If the losses offset the wins...hoo boy, the IRS probably owes me, not me them. :D

[wrp96]

If the losses offset the wins...hoo boy, the IRS probably owes me, not me them. :D

 

 

You wish, on gambling earnings you can only claim losses that equal your winnings.

[DizzyDallasDi]

You wish, on gambling earnings you can only claim losses that equal your winnings.

 

Sigh...that's a no win situation. :)

[crusin'2]

Thanks everyone!!

 

So, we won't bring our SS cards along. I wouldn't probably have to worry about it anyway since I usually am the one "donating" in the casino!! :( But my cousin's husband who is coming along is the Lucky one and that's who asked about it!! LOL! Of course!!

 

The US government needs all they can with all the debt our country is in right now. Which is why they're probably changing tax rules to get more from where they can! Can't fight the tax man I guess!!

 

I'd be willing to donate my fair share and win some big bucks though!!! :)

 

Thanks again everyone!! I know cruise critic posters always have the answers I'm looking for! You guys rock!

 

Lisa

[imsulin]

I love the IRS! They have not once hounded me for the whopping $120.00 I paid in 1996 that I owed! They have not hounded me once! Now, 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 times, yeah. But never once! My cancelled check is now 14 years old, yellowed, and falling apart. I'm having it framed with the acid-proof glass. We are now on a first-name basis, ask after each other's kids, and mail and receive yearly Christmas cards.

[sail7seas]

I love the IRS! They have not once hounded me for the whopping $120.00 I paid in 1996 that I owed! They have not hounded me once! Now, 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 times, yeah. But never once! My cancelled check is now 14 years old, yellowed, and falling apart. I'm having it framed with the acid-proof glass. We are now on a first-name basis, ask after each other's kids, and mail and receive yearly Christmas cards.

 

 

I hate to imagine what the penalties and interest have added up to in 14 years. :eek:

[BruceMuzz]

I have never seen this happen on a cruise ship. When did the ruling come into effect and does it only apply to USA registered ships?

 

Thanks

Kathy:)

 

Kathy,

Unless you are a Casino Manager or Hotel Manager on a cruise ship, you would never have a chance to see it happen - unless you won the money yourself.

Winners are escorted to the Casino Manager's or Hotel Manager's Office, and they are required to fill out the U.S. tax paperwork BEFORE any winnings are paid out.

 

The IRS ruling came out 3 or 4 years ago.

 

USA Registered ships???

You must be kidding.

There is only one USA Registered ocean-going cruise ship (NCL America's Pride of America), and it is not legally allowed to even have a casino. It is also not allowed to sail anywhere (with passengers) except Hawaii.

 

A few other Coastal Ships have USA Registry, but they are very small, usually only sail the US East and West Coasts, and rarely carry non-US passengers. Many of them also do not have Casinos onboard.

[imsulin]

I hate to imagine what the penalties and interest have added up to in 14 years. :eek:

 

None, actually. It was paid in full in 1996. Apparently, there was a snag in the IRS computer/different SS number/different middle name/different date of birth. Take your pick! It's become a joke at this date, and my accountant and I have invited IRS "Tom" for dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant. I get a call, explain it, fax the cashed check copy and 20 pages of correspondence, and add a bill for a new ink cartridge. IRS finally resolved this a couple of years ago. Twelve years isn't a big deal, and I never had anything deducted from my returns. I love the IRS! My accountant is a family member, BTW.

[bbwex]

Remember, the lottery is a retirement program for people who don't understand math. Winning in a casino happens more often, but the same logic applies.