Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Jun 6, 2019 1:22:03 AM

If my parents choose to send me money in $ from outside USA, is it taxable? Also, what is the most efficient way to receive such money? I work in USA using a work visa

0 2 2516
1 Best answer
New Member
Jun 6, 2019 1:22:05 AM

Per IRS guidance (https://www.irs.gov/businesses/gifts-from-foreign-person), gifts from a "foreign person" are generally excludable from gross income unless they exceed certain limits, in which case the recipient must file a Form 3520.  Here's an excerpt from the above link stating those requirements:

"You must file Form 3520, Annual Return to Report Transactions with Foreign Trusts and Receipt of Certain Foreign Gifts, if, during the current tax year, you treat the receipt of money or other property above certain amounts as a foreign gift or bequest.  Include on Form 3520:

Gifts or bequests valued at more than $100,000 from a nonresident alien individual or foreign estate (including foreign persons related to that nonresident alien individual or foreign estate);

or 

Gifts valued at more than $15,601 for 2015 (adjusted annually for inflation) from foreign corporations or foreign partnerships (including foreign persons related to the foreign corporations or foreign partnerships)." 

So, in your case, unless your parents gave you more than $100,000 in 2016, then you do not have to report the income on your tax return.

As for the best way to receive money, that's something you'll have to investigate on your own.  I know that Western Union provides worldwide transfer of funds (as do most banks).  Here's a link to Western Union which you can explore: https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/home.html.

2 Replies
New Member
Jun 6, 2019 1:22:05 AM

Per IRS guidance (https://www.irs.gov/businesses/gifts-from-foreign-person), gifts from a "foreign person" are generally excludable from gross income unless they exceed certain limits, in which case the recipient must file a Form 3520.  Here's an excerpt from the above link stating those requirements:

"You must file Form 3520, Annual Return to Report Transactions with Foreign Trusts and Receipt of Certain Foreign Gifts, if, during the current tax year, you treat the receipt of money or other property above certain amounts as a foreign gift or bequest.  Include on Form 3520:

Gifts or bequests valued at more than $100,000 from a nonresident alien individual or foreign estate (including foreign persons related to that nonresident alien individual or foreign estate);

or 

Gifts valued at more than $15,601 for 2015 (adjusted annually for inflation) from foreign corporations or foreign partnerships (including foreign persons related to the foreign corporations or foreign partnerships)." 

So, in your case, unless your parents gave you more than $100,000 in 2016, then you do not have to report the income on your tax return.

As for the best way to receive money, that's something you'll have to investigate on your own.  I know that Western Union provides worldwide transfer of funds (as do most banks).  Here's a link to Western Union which you can explore: https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/home.html.

Returning Member
Jul 24, 2019 5:10:53 PM

Does this also apply in the Us. Sending money in the us some I sent like 1687 back in august. i also recived 2,000 last yr does that have to be turned into my taxes.