Strategy to obtain US Amex

[Grrr]

That’s great - you mean the AU Passport office? Did it need to be them specifically or could it be any certifying authority (like a JP)

Assume i could do the same declaring US Bank account interest?

If you read the notes for the W7 form, it says it needs to be certified by:
- issuing authority (hence our passport office)
- a US embassy/consulate (but they will only do it via mail, and I didn't want to mail my passport around)

 

[djchuckles]

Good stuff - not bad for 4 bucks - you saved $1 over my Maza way and got your ITIN way before me!

 

[Finale]

DP here for fellow tight-cough...

I missed out on the bargain priced Maza, and couldn't justify spending ~$400 on an agent (and also didn't like the idea of sending copies of my passport etc to a random person on the internet)

I filled out a W7 and 1040NR from the IRS website (declared $85 gambling income).

After receiving confirmation that they would do it (via email) from the Passport Office, I took my passport in and had certified copies made (no appointment required) for free. A surprisingly painless procedure for a government interaction.

I mailed my W7,1040NR and certified passport copy via standard mail (~$4) on 14/10.

The certified copies were returned to my US address on 19/11, and my ITIN arrived there on 27/11

That's good news that the passport office does it now. Did they put their stamp or has anything that reads "Passport Office"? I read about the Canadian one not doing an embossed seal anymore and some IRS agent rejected it. I think that was because there was nothing showing "Passport Office" on the paper, only "Government of Canada" which was not good enough.

 

[Finale]

Bought a couple of vouchers from Hilton Surfers Paradise. Originally showing as Hilton Surfers Paradise Residences but then it posted a different name. Was a bit worried but Aspire resort credit showed up fine.

 

[Grrr]

Did they put their stamp or has anything that reads "Passport Office"

It's not embossed, but it has 2 stamps with DFAT logo/Passport office etc on it.

For those who have done the W7/1040NR combo (or had agents do it on their behalf), does the IRS eventually send you a notice of assessment based on that initial tax return ?

That was what I interpreted the explanatory notes to imply, but I have yet to receive an assessment or request for their $9 in tax

 

[djchuckles]

Bought a couple of vouchers from Hilton Surfers Paradise. Originally showing as Hilton Surfers Paradise Residences but then it posted a different name. Was a bit worried but Aspire resort credit showed up fine.

View attachment 419053

This is good to know - I’m in the Gold COast at least once a quarter so shoudl be able to make use of this for Aspire and Suprass credits

I hear the vouchers are very hard to actually use though? How come the voucher was 198.10?

 

[Finale]

It's not embossed, but it has 2 stamps with DFAT logo/Passport office etc on it.

For those who have done the W7/1040NR combo (or had agents do it on their behalf), does the IRS eventually send you a notice of assessment based on that initial tax return ?

That was what I interpreted the explanatory notes to imply, but I have yet to receive an assessment or request for their $9 in tax

When I renewed my ITIN, I did both W7 and 1040NR. My income was $250 and the agent just put $26 tax on 1040NR. I guess 10% tax plus maybe $1 penalty fee for doing tax late (after April 15)? Never heard anything from IRS. Will try to get IRS account later. Looks like I have to do a video call.

This is good to know - I’m in the Gold COast at least once a quarter so shoudl be able to make use of this for Aspire and Suprass credits

I hear the vouchers are very hard to actually use though? How come the voucher was 198.10?

I never used the vouchers myself but gave them to a close family a few times and he enjoyed using them. Never heard him complaining. I think you just have to call or email to book.

Bought 2 vouchers at $150 each plus $6 fee so $306 AUD.

 

[djchuckles]

When I renewed my ITIN, I did both W7 and 1040NR. My income was $250 and the agent just put $26 tax on 1040NR. I guess 10% tax plus maybe $1 penalty fee for doing tax late (after April 15)? Never heard anything from IRS. Will try to get IRS account later. Looks like I have to do a video call.



I never used the vouchers myself but gave them to a close family a few times and he enjoyed using them. Never heard him complaining. I think you just have to call or email to book.

Bought 2 vouchers at $150 each plus $6 fee so $306 AUD.

WHat denominations were available?

 

[Finale]

WHat denominations were available?

They no longer do 1 voucher for all products/services. Accom, food, spa etc have their own vouchers now and not changable. You can check here

Gift Vouchers

Looks like the spa voucher has been changed. I was able to buy a spa voucher with a food voucher but now it redirects to another site.

 

[djchuckles]

They no longer do 1 voucher for all products/services. Accom, food, spa etc have their own vouchers now and not changable. You can check here

Gift Vouchers

Looks like the spa voucher has been changed. I was able to buy a spa voucher with a food voucher but now it redirects to another site.

Thanks Mrs Margots probably a good bet (not that I’ve tried it). Can stack up a few US$50 (or closest equivalent) ones and then use in one go

 

[djchuckles]

They no longer do 1 voucher for all products/services. Accom, food, spa etc have their own vouchers now and not changable. You can check here

Gift Vouchers

Looks like the spa voucher has been changed. I was able to buy a spa voucher with a food voucher but now it redirects to another site.

Yes looks like spa is through a third party. And min accomodation one is 250 (Which is now good for Surpass). I think I’ll test the Ms Margot one this month and then just stock up on AU$100 ones of those each quarter….. (The spa one would be nice if it worked, especially as you can choose a custom amount)

 

[Grrr]

When I renewed my ITIN, I did both W7 and 1040NR. My income was $250 and the agent just put $26 tax on 1040NR. I guess 10% tax plus maybe $1 penalty fee for doing tax late (after April 15)? Never heard anything from IRS. Will try to get IRS account later. Looks like I have to do a video call.

They say you need to file a return every 3y to keep it valid - so if they’re not sending you a notice of assessment etc, what happens then ?

 

[CaptainCurtis]

I'm most likely going to be moving to the US for work mid next year, for a couple of years. I'll be heading there in February for 2-3 months, is there anything I can/should be doing while I'm there to get things set-up before moving more permanently in July?

 

[Tiki]

Does anyone have any idea why Wise is taking so long to transfer? It usually takes less than 24 hours to hit my B of A account.

• Wednesday, 18 December at 02:10
  We received your AUD
• Your money's being processed
• Thursday, 19 December at 12:00
  We pay out your USD
• Saturday, 21 December at 12:00
  You receive your USD

 

[glasszon]

I'm in a bit of a unusual situation. I want Aeroplan points, which transfer 1:1 from Canada, but MR from the US transfer 1:1 to Canada rather than the exchange rate. AU MR transfer to Canada at the exchange rate, so if I can transfer US to AU first then I'll get 40% more Aeroplan points.

How did you get a Canadian Amex card? I am keen to apply for a Canadian Amex card so I can convert my AU Amex points into Aeroplan points and I have a Canadian SIN, did you just get a Canadian mail forwarder and apply for global transfer?

 

[pyramidforce]

Does anyone have any idea why Wise is taking so long to transfer? It usually takes less than 24 hours to hit my B of A account.

• Wednesday, 18 December at 02:10
  We received your AUD
• Your money's being processed
• Thursday, 19 December at 12:00
  We pay out your USD
• Saturday, 21 December at 12:00
  You receive your USD

Mone have also been taking longer recently not sure why

 

[Tiki]

I just got a notification that the money showed up in my account at B of A which is when it normally shows up from Wise. No idea why Wise gave such a silly timeline, there are no public holidays this week.

 

[Daventry]

Hi,

I might look at changing my US address since my current one has been flagged as CMRA so Citi and Cap1 won't approve any of my credit card applications.

At the moment I have Amex, Chase and HSBC.

What should the process be like?

1. Find a non-CMRA address.
2. Update on Amex or Chase before a statement is generated so I have proof of address for new address.
3. Apply for cards from new lenders.

Should I always do #2 before #3, or wait to see if I get asked for proof of address before changing my profile on an existing account?

 

[canwd]

How did you get a Canadian Amex card? I am keen to apply for a Canadian Amex card so I can convert my AU Amex points into Aeroplan points and I have a Canadian SIN, did you just get a Canadian mail forwarder and apply for global transfer?

I'm actually Canadian and live in Canada lol. It's the Australian AMEX that was tougher for me to get. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[Finale]

They say you need to file a return every 3y to keep it valid - so if they’re not sending you a notice of assessment etc, what happens then ?

I don't understand the question. ie NoA in australia has nothing to do with how you file tax the year after. Anyway,to keep ITIN active, you just file tax again on whatever income ie interest, bank bonus, referal bonus (1099 forms) etc or if you don't have those, gambling income again I guess

A lot of peple I know don't even bother and let it expire but you need to try get the first credit card with the banks within the first 3 years so less chance they will ask for ITIN again. There are still some data points saying they got asked for ITIN again at Chase and got rejected as ITIN was too old.

Hi,

I might look at changing my US address since my current one has been flagged as CMRA so Citi and Cap1 won't approve any of my credit card applications.

At the moment I have Amex, Chase and HSBC.

What should the process be like?

1. Find a non-CMRA address.
2. Update on Amex or Chase before a statement is generated so I have proof of address for new address.
3. Apply for cards from new lenders.

Should I always do #2 before #3, or wait to see if I get asked for proof of address before changing my profile on an existing account?

You should do #2 before #3 and it's best to wait a month or 2 until your new address is added to the credit file. They probably won't ask for the verification again.