When sending or receiving an international money transfer, it’s useful to familiarize yourself with the regulations that apply to you and the other party. This includes transfer limits, tax regulations, and whether you need to declare the transaction to any regulatory bodies.
The documents and checks you need to be aware of when making an international money transfer
How the IRS is involved with international money transfers and the surrounding legislation
Any sending/receiving limits that could affect your transfer
What documents will I usually need to provide when sending an international money transfer?
When sending money internationally, especially for the first time with the bank or transfer provider you are using, you will need to provide a number of documents to verify your identity. These include:
A valid ID such as your passport or driving license
Proof of address such as a bank statement or utility bill
In some cases, you may also need to provide:
Proof of where you got the money you are sending from (this is mainly when sending large amounts)
The reason for the transfer
What are the limits for international money transfers?
There’s no international limit or law regarding the amount of money you can send or receive from abroad.
However, that’s not to say that your money transfer provider or financial institution won’t have its own limits. To give you an idea of the types of limitations providers may have in place, here are the limits for a few of our top providers:
WorldRemit
WorldRemit has a maximum limit of $9,000 per 24 hours for transfers from the US for transfers from the US.
Elsewhere, the maximum amount you can send depends on what payment option you choose, the country you’re sending to, and the country you’re sending from, as well as any transaction limits in place by the company’s partners. If you are sending to a particular country or would like to use a specific payment method.
XE Money Transfer
XE Money Transfer is known for being a good option if you are looking to send a large sum abroad in particular, as the company tends to cater to these types of international transfers specifically.
You can transfer up to $500,000 with XE online, but you can talk to a specialist within the company if you are looking to send more.
PaySend
PaySend will allow you to send up to $1,000 per month with no additional documentation after creating your account every six months.
To increase those limits, you’ll need to provide proof of ID such as a passport or driving license and proof of address. For large sums over $10,000, you may also need to provide a utility bill, a bank statement, employer payslips, or anything else that will prove the source of funds.
Wise
You can send up to $1 million with Wise when sending to the US. However, the company is less clear on their sending limits when transferring money out of the US, so you may want to check this carefully if you want to send a large sum abroad as a US resident.
What is the best way to send money internationally?
The best way to send your money abroad really depends on a number of mitigating factors surrounding your transfer. You have several choices to get your money to your recipient, with the two main options being either your bank or a specialist transfer provider.
Banks are a popular option because they’re convenient, well-known, and familiar (and therefore trustworthy) for many people. You can arrange your transfer in person, via the phone, or using your online banking app. However, transfers using your bank will typically have expensive fees for sending money abroad.
Specialist transfer providers such as WorldRemit and XE can offer international transfers for lower fees than traditional banks, which is why they’re increasingly the number one choice for people regularly sending money abroad.
When finding the best option for you with our comparison engine, a few things you’ll want to look out for include the cost of the transfer, the markup on the exchange rate, speed, payment options, security, and the overall amount your recipient will receive after completing their transfer.
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Does the IRS have any specific international wire transfer regulations or rules?
You only really need to concern yourself with IRS regulations when sending a wire transfer valued at $10,000 or more. Generally speaking, your bank or money transfer service will report transfers, required by law, over $10,000 to the IRS directly to ensure transfers are not connected to illegal activity.
Make sure you are aware of the process
If you are sending sums this large, it may be a good idea to discuss the transaction with a professional accountant so you are aware of what documents, taxes, fees, and regulations may be associated with such a transfer.
For example, you might be asked to provide documents such as:
Source of funds – how you received the sum you are sending (e.g., income, shares, property sale, etc.)
Source of wealth – how you generate an income (e.g., bank statements, payslips)
The reason for your transfer
Information about your recipient – you may need proof of ID for them also
Being asked for these documents may feel excessive, but remember, the transfer provider you are using is legally obliged to request these documents to ensure the money being moved comes from legitimate sources.
Do I need to report international money transfers sent to the US?
Transfers over $10,000 both to and from the US need to comply with US regulations. This means that any transfer leaving or entering the US over this amount will be reported accordingly by your transfer provider or bank.
What details will be sent to the IRS?
If you are sending a sum that needs to be reported to the IRS, your transfer provider/bank will send the following information:
Your name and contact details
The name and contact details of your recipient
Your banking information, such as your bank account number, sort code, SWIFT code, etc
The amount sent and any documentation pertaining to the transfer
Bottom line
The bottom line is that whether you’re sending money from the US or receiving a transfer from abroad, you should make sure you’re informed about your responsibilities and the regulations surrounding transfers – especially if you are dealing with large sums.
Suppose you are making a large transfer for something such as a property purchase. In that case, it may be a good idea to seek professional advice from an accountant who can advise you on what steps to take and documentation to provide to ensure the relevant parties are assured your transaction is above board.
We encourage you to learn more about sending money internationally by reading our guides on How to Find the Best Exchange Rate and multi-currency accounts. These will help you understand the process of converting currencies during an international transfer.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum amount I can send internationally?
The amount of money you can send depends on the method of transfer. You can usually find a method that allows for large transfer, but the cost comes into the equation too. Customers that want to send large amounts of money should consider money transfer services for businesses. For instance, you can use companies like TorFX and VertoFX. These services come with dedicated account managers and can handle large money transfers at competitive rates.
How can you save money when transferring money?
To save money on money transfers, you need to choose a competitive transfer provider. Services like Wise offer rates that you will not receive at most banks. In fact, some companies offer free transfers, but they do profit from currency conversions. This includes services like TorFX, which also comes with mass payments. You should take the time to compare the specialist transfer providers to see where the best fees are found. Many choices exist because the international money transfer industry is competitive. Companies are competing for new customers, and low transfer rates are one of the benefits.
How do transfer limits differ for each country?
Money transfer services usually have different limits for each country. The difference can be significant, so you need to know what they are before sending money. Companies usually impose transfer limits for security reasons. Some countries are seen as high risk because of fraud and scams. To minimize the risk to their customers, the transfer limits to these companies is lower.
How do transfer limits relate to taxes?
The tax laws of many countries, including the UK and United States, allow for gift transfer without incurring taxes. However, this is true only up to a specific amount of money. For example, recipients in the United States can only receive tax-free gift transfers up to $15,000 per year. Money received over this amount will be liable for taxation.
What are the transfer limits when sending money with a mobile app?
Most money transfer companies and banks offer the same functionality on the mobile app for sending money. Unless stated otherwise, you can expect to enjoy the same limits. Mobile apps are a secure method of sending money abroad. For example, various login security protocols can be applied, such as biometric, fingerprint, 2-factor authentication, and PIN. For a specialist money transfer service that offers a top-tier mobile app, consider using Wise. The user interface is intuitive, and customer reviews share an overwhelmingly positive experience.
How much money can you send outside of the US each day?
This varies depending on the specific policies of your bank or financial institution, but generally, there is a limit on the amount of money that can be sent outside of the US in a single day. This limit is typically in the range of $50,000 to $100,000. If you need to send more than this amount in a day, you may need to contact your bank and make special arrangements. It is important to note that there may also be limits or restrictions on sending money to certain countries. Additionally, it is a good idea to research any applicable taxes or fees for sending money internationally.
How much money can you wire internationally before paying tax?
There is no set limit on how much money can be wired internationally before paying tax. It depends on individual circumstances and the laws of the country(ies) involved. In some cases, large transfers may trigger reporting requirements and potential taxation. It is important to consult with a financial or tax advisor before making any significant international money transfers.
Can I wire money to the IRS?
No, the IRS does not accept wire transfers for tax payments. You can make your payment by check, money order, credit or debit card, or direct debit from your bank account. For more information on payment options, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov/payments.
Are Wire Transfers over $10000 reported to the IRS?
According to the IRS, wire transfers over $10,000 are required to be reported by financial institutions through a Currency Transaction Report (CTR). Failure to properly report these transactions can result in fines or penalties. It is important for individuals to accurately record and report their large wire transfers on their tax returns. Additionally, individuals should be cautious of using wire transfers to conduct illegal activity, such as money laundering, as this can result in severe legal consequences. For more information on reporting requirements for large wire transfers, individuals can visit the IRS website or consult with a tax professional.
Where are you sending the money? Recognising how the destination impacts the limits of your transfer, will give you a better understanding of what sort of minimum and maximum amounts are able to be sent and received. We have outlined the key differences between a domestic and international money transfer below. Domestic transfer These types […]
When sending or receiving an international money transfer, it’s useful to familiarize yourself with the regulations that apply to you and the other party. This includes transfer limits, tax regulations, and whether you need to declare the transaction to any regulatory bodies.
It is important to consider everything when sending large amounts of money abroad. Here we discuss why and how we can help.
Article Factchecked by Elliot Laybourne on 20th July 2022
Elliott is a former investment banker with a 20 year career in the city of London.
During this time he held senior roles at ABN Amro, Societe Generale, Marex Financial and Natixis bank, specialising in commodity derivatives and options market-making.
During this time, Elliott’s client list included Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, Schroders Asset Management, and the Pennsylvania State Public School Employees Retirement System, amongst others.
Yasmin Purnell is a Content Writer and Editor for MoneyTransfers.com. Having over 5 years’ experience writing across a range of industries including finance, insurance, and travel, Yasmin joined the team with a mission to make international money transfers and everything they encompass accessible to all.