Confirmation of cash gift

[remingo]

What is the name of your state? New York
I am a student from Thailand pursuing my PhD in New York. I brought $9900 cash from Thailand, when I visited few months ago, and deposited in my personal bank account in New York. That money is given to me by my father as gift. He later emailed me a scanned copy of notarized affidavit from Thailand confirming that gift. I learned few days ago that the notary person who verified/notarized that affidavit is died. Is it necessary for my father to get another affidavit from another notary person, and send it to me? I am asking because in case IRS contacts me about that cash deposit and I produce a copy of that affidavit then IRS cannot contact the notary person (in Thailand who died) to verify/confirm that affidavit is authentic. My father has medical conditions and lives in a village and does not move freely therefore I wish to get your advice on getting another affidavit from my father. Another question I have is whether scanned (photo) copy of such affidavit is enough for IRS purposes or original copy is needed?

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

Is it necessary for my father to get another affidavit from another notary person, and send it to me?

No

Another question I have is whether scanned (photo) copy of such affidavit is enough for IRS purposes or original copy is needed?

You will find out if they ask for it.

 

[adjusterjack]

I brought $9900 cash from Thailand,

I don't know why people think they have to sneak money into the US.

There's nothing wrong with bringing money into the US.

You could have done a bank to bank transfer, brought a check or money order, whatever, instead of acting like a criminal trying to hide it.

 

[Zigner]

I don't know why people think they have to sneak money into the US.

There's nothing wrong with bringing money into the US.

You could have done a bank to bank transfer, brought a check or money order, whatever, instead of acting like a criminal trying to hide it.

I don't think he was trying to hide it...if he was, then why would he have deposited it in the bank? I think this is more of a cultural difference, with people from other cultures trusting cash more than they do banks.

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state? New York
I am a student from Thailand pursuing my PhD in New York. I brought $9900 cash from Thailand, when I visited few months ago, and deposited in my personal bank account in New York. That money is given to me by my father as gift. He later emailed me a scanned copy of notarized affidavit from Thailand confirming that gift. I learned few days ago that the notary person who verified/notarized that affidavit is died. Is it necessary for my father to get another affidavit from another notary person, and send it to me? I am asking because in case IRS contacts me about that cash deposit and I produce a copy of that affidavit then IRS cannot contact the notary person (in Thailand who died) to verify/confirm that affidavit is authentic. My father has medical conditions and lives in a village and does not move freely therefore I wish to get your advice on getting another affidavit from my father. Another question I have is whether scanned (photo) copy of such affidavit is enough for IRS purposes or original copy is needed?

No, your father does not need to get another affidavit notarized. You are in the US under a student visa. It is expected that you are going to bring money.

 

[davew9128]

I have to be honest, and international tax is one of my niches, it's disturbing to see SO MANY PEOPLE ASKING THE SAME BIZARRE QUESTIONS. I have had many immigrants as clients over many many years, and this level of paranoia over the source of cash deposits has never been an issue.

 

[Taxing Matters]

I have to be honest, and international tax is one of my niches, it's disturbing to see SO MANY PEOPLE ASKING THE SAME BIZARRE QUESTIONS. I have had many immigrants as clients over many many years, and this level of paranoia over the source of cash deposits has never been an issue.

It is unusual, but bear in mind that the number of posts we see on this forum is a very, very small slice of the overall taxpaying community. I think the folks who have these concerns seem way over represented largely because there aren't a lot of places they see where they can get them directly addressed. On a Google search I'd not be surprised to find this forum near the top for people to go to simply because it's one of the few forums that has had discussions of it. Once that happens, the cycle starts to reinforce itself, with those search results driving the relatively few with these concerns here.

 

[remingo]

Thanks so much every one for the wonderful information. Zingner and Taxingmatters: you are correct about me.