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So I just got a letter from the IRS. I sent in my receipts (actually just the one from the agency fee, since it was higher than needed) and a copy of the finalization decree with my taxes. Then they sent a a letter that they needed these again, because they don't audit them in the same place and don't give the auditors copies of things. So I faxed them. Now I got a letter back saying that they need a written statement explaining each expense plus copies of cancelled checks, cashiers checks, and/ or money orders to verify payment. Of course, they didn't ask for these the first time. The receipt, which is from the agency and states that it was paid, apparently isn't verification?!! :grr: I don't have copies of the cashiers checks - I didn't think to make copies before I gave them to the agency. Does anyone know if I can get proof of these from the bank? What happens if I can't get them? Will the IRS accept something else from the agency? I plan on calling the IRS on Monday, but of course, I got this Saturday evening when I can't do anything but stew over it.
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I work at a bank and they can get you copies of the cashiers checks. I would go speak to customer service and just explain the situation and they should be able to help you. Just make sure you know some info like the amounts, general dates that way it will be easier to find them.
Best of luck!
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Thanks. I've actually managed this week to get all but one of them (four different banks, of course, because the money came from 4 different accounts - two of mine, two borrowed from my mom). I also talked to the accountant who did my taxes (duh, should have thought of that earlier) and I will be dropping everything off with him on Monday.
I'm feeling a little peeved that the IRS wants a written explanation - the receipt says "Application Fee" and "Adoption Fee", which seem pretty self-explanatory. So they are going to get a very detailed explanation of what each of those means, along with a copy of the adoption contract with the relevant portions highlighted and a printout from the agency's web page that talks about how they charge their fees. Does that sound like overkill?
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they want proof that you paid the fees from your own money. you might want to have other receipts and proof from your own accounts ready should the IRS decline the expenses paid from your mother's bank accounts.
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I would understand that logic if they were personal checks. Cashier's checks don't come from an account, though; they are made out from the bank to the agency, so I don't see how they are proof of anything much. Seems like payment receipt is actually more proof.
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we paid USCIS fees with cashiers check. we gave the IRS a copy of the cashiers check and a copy of our bank statement that showed that exact amount withdrawn from our account on the day that the cashiers check was dated.
it does not matter if it makes sense to you or me, the irs wants to know that the money came from your account or your credit card.
how the money got into your account or who paid your credit card bill afterwards is not their concern ;)
we also submitted in country expenses that we paid in cash using a per diem chart for meals, drivers and guides. our agency had provided an estimate of those expenses and we used that as a guide for how much to claim. the irs usually has no problem with people claiming a reasonable cash per diem on their taxes for meals and such. I think we claimed $50 per day while in country for meals. It is cheap to eat in China.
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