2007-09-20
We know that casino staffers and Las Vegas itself run on tips, which we fully understand and support, when earned. The question is: Are there any guidelines for tipping for various services? We leave $2 each day (in the '80s we would leave $1 per day) for the cleaning lady, but based on your recent information about tipping for valet parking this seems too little. How much does one tip dealers, bellmen/women, cocktail people etc. etc.?
2007-09-12
As a Canadian citizen I understand that any slot win over $1,200 triggers a 1042-S and I've filed a non-resident return three or four times to recover tax money withheld from jackpots. Before my most recent trip, I did some research on the topic and discovered what I thought was the magic form, the W-8BEN. The way I understood it was that if I triggered a 1042-S, all I had to do was hand this form to the payer and they wouldn't take the 30%. When I hit a $4,000 royal, I was pretty excited, for the win and to be able to whip out the magic form. It didn't work! I explained up and down the purpose of the form and was sure it was going to work but the bosses told me, pardon the pun, NO DICE! Eventually, I just had to give it up. I'll get the money back, which will make for a nice windfall in January, but I really thought I had the problem licked. Does anybody know what the actual rules are?
