Lost ITIN help please

Question

So, for whatever reason, I simply cannot find my ITIN paperwork. Searched high and low, but all the documents I keep together-the original letter and all various W2G's cannot be found.

My next trip is in June and I'm staying at Bellagio first and then Fontainebleau. I know I am on MGM's system and last October I was lucky enough to hit several hand pays that were paid out tax free there no issue-they don't even ask for your passport anymore if you are on their system. But I am concerned that if I am lucky enough to hit one at Fontainebleau they will want to see the letter or something official as well as my passport to pay out tax free (I recall Matt Bridger having this problem on one of his vlogs at Plaza once).

If I go to the high limit room at Bellagio (I had to go here last year so they could scan a copy of my new passport) and ask for a copy of one of my W2G's from last trip, would they let me have this? Does it show my ITIN? Will Fontainebleau accept that with my passport and not withhold tax?

I appreciate that the answers to these questions are variable and unless you work there it is impossible to say for sure, but does this seem like a reasonable proposition? Is there something else I could do to achieve the same result?

Thanks.

Answer

It sounds like you're facing a frustrating situation with your lost ITIN paperwork, especially with the concern about ensuring your winnings are tax-free at Fontainebleau. Here are some steps and information that might help you navigate this situation:

Requesting a Copy of Your W2G: If you’ve had previous hand pays at Bellagio and they’ve already filed the W2G forms with the IRS, you can definitely ask for a copy of the W2G from the high limit room or the casino’s accounting department. It may or may not show your ITIN directly, but it will indicate the tax status of your winnings. The casino staff can usually print out a copy for you from their records, and this might help you establish that your winnings were previously treated as tax-free.
Can You Use Your W2G Without the ITIN Letter? The W2G form should indicate whether tax withholding was applied, but the absence of the original ITIN letter could be problematic. Casinos generally prefer to see your official ITIN letter (or a valid passport) for tax-free payouts, especially if they need to verify your identity or ITIN status in their system. However, if you are already in their system, it may be more flexible. Your passport might be enough, but you should still be prepared for them to request the ITIN letter if they don’t see it in your file.
Fontainebleau’s Policy: Fontainebleau, like many other casinos, will likely follow a similar process to MGM properties when it comes to handling tax-free payouts for non-U.S. residents. However, since it’s a different property, it’s best to check with them directly before your visit to ensure their process aligns with what you experienced at Bellagio. They may accept a copy of your W2G with your passport, but again, it's not guaranteed without the ITIN letter. You might want to call ahead or check in with their accounting or guest services for clarification on their policy.
Reapplying for Your ITIN: If the situation becomes difficult and you continue to lose the paperwork or need it for future trips, you may want to consider reapplying for a replacement ITIN letter. This can be done through the IRS, though it’s a more time-consuming process and could take several weeks. If you don’t have the letter by your next trip, it could be worth looking into for long-term peace of mind.

In conclusion, while it’s possible that a copy of your W2G and passport might suffice at Fontainebleau, there’s no absolute guarantee. I’d suggest checking with both Bellagio and Fontainebleau’s accounting or guest services departments to ensure you're fully prepared. It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in place, especially if you find yourself in a situation similar to what Matt Bridger experienced.

Good luck, and I hope everything goes smoothly during your trip!