I loaned $15,000 to a family member that is ready to be paid back. How do I receive the money without having to fill out any paperwork? Two separate transactions?

paulm27 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:41:17 GMT

Just as the question says, I loaned $15k to a family member. If I receive the whole $15k, the transaction gets reported to the IRS. Should I just have two separate transactions at least 24 hours apart to avoid having to do any paperwork? Thanks

Re: I loaned $15,000 to a family member that is ready to be paid back. How do I receive the money without having to fill out any paperwork? Two separate transactions?

dmertz — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 12:02:39 GMT

This is not a tax question.

Re: I loaned $15,000 to a family member that is ready to be paid back. How do I receive the money without having to fill out any paperwork? Two separate transactions?

Opus 17 — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 12:39:31 GMT

Be aware that structuring a transaction to avoid the mandatory bank reporting rules for transfers over $10,000 can sometimes constitute a separate crime called "structuring", even if the underlying purpose of the transaction is totally legal.

From an income tax point of view, there is nothing problematic about being paid back a personal loan from a family member in any amount. However, when you make a loan, you are required to report the interest you charge as taxable income. Even if you don't charge interest, you are required to report and pay tax on the interest you could have charged, using at least the applicable federal minimum interest rate. This is called imputed interest, and there is a blog post about it here.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/tax-payments/irs-tax-rules-for-imputed-interest/L7UbulHpC

So from a tax point of view, there is nothing wrong with making large money transfers, but if you are audited, the IRS may want to see proof this was a loan (documents or some kind of agreement) and you may be required to report and pay tax on the imputed interest. From a money laundering point of view, I would avoid "structuring" the repayment to avoid the banking regulations.

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I loaned $15,000 to a family member that is ready to be paid back. How do I receive the money without having to fill out any paperwork? Two separate transactions?

Re: I loaned $15,000 to a family member that is ready to be paid back. How do I receive the money without having to fill out any paperwork? Two separate transactions?

Re: I loaned $15,000 to a family member that is ready to be paid back. How do I receive the money without having to fill out any paperwork? Two separate transactions?