No, non-us don't pay tax to US gov. You can even avoid your local tax by deposit the check into your swiss bank account (most offshore banks will do).
Opening a US bank account is more hassle than its worth, IMHO. I understand you have to show up in person, but SSN is not required.
No you dont have to go to the US I can help you open a US bank account with a very well known American bank, through mail.
Yes there is a US bank account opening kit for non US residents. Anyone can fill out and mail it to the US bank. Then the bank opens a bank account for you which is different kind of account according to US residents. If you have $1,000 balance at your US bank account, you can apply for a VISA debit card. You will be able to access your bank account through internet.
Are you talking about etrade? It is not bank account. It's just an investment account. You can deposit/withdraw into online etrade account pretty like that of paypal account. I'm interested if it is real US bank account.
Deposit and withdraw should be enough for a non resident I think. Why do you need a real bank account? Do you need a US credit card?
> Why do you need a real bank account? To be able to initiate EFT, wire transfer and view history online. And more importantly, you'll have your very account number and name, so that when ppl send money to you, they put "Your Name" and "Your Account Number", not "Pay To: E*Trade Securities", "Account: 8399349", "Reference: Please credit this to Mr. Your Name with E*Trade Account Number 2321321334. His address: 3844 St.3939, city, country, postal code...". It's embarassing to have all details about yourself in "reference section". Some even forget to put refererence, so they will take a week to get the money, not to mention that it might be lost for good. (My $1000 check was lost for good) That's why we need real US bank account.
Create accounts is not dificult or necesary expencive. Why will someone outside us will need a us bank accout??? Simple.... PAYPAL i contact someone who can open accounts in a bank in california. The bank ask only for a minimun initial deposit of $100 and if the balance is not $1000 they will charge you 10 dollars monthly. the catch???? the guy is asking for too much to open the account; i talked to him and we are now negociating on his price... to be honest; he want's 200 per account open.... offcourse i see this a little high for paperwork.... so i'm still pushing. Please see http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=136988 and post your opinion
Er... you want him to be a proxy, correct? And in the future when you have $100k sitting in the bank, he would go there and withdraw your cash legally, because it is in his name, his contact and most importantly it's his ID that bank verified. I think you should take time to phone Bank of America or Citibank, ask them if they allow 3rd-party in US to open account for you. I don't think it works. Don't just believe what the 3rd-party claims, he could be a scammer. What you need is authorative response directly from bank you want to open with. Nah, before you can say "Simple... PayPal", do you have a bank account already? Seems to me like you're still struggling to open one, it aint "Simple..."
I just send the documentation to get my account. at this moment, I'm using moneybrokers and i only allowed use paypal for paying... (added CC) with no bank account to verify; there's no way to withdraw from paypal; so basically you get fucked. is stupid to do business and get money to paypal if you can't withdraw.
Urgh, i got this issues wayyyyyyyyyyy back and still pretty sad that asians still have that checking problem till date. Wonder if we will EVER get this sorted out.
Ok listen to Uuno! U don't need US bank account if you want to avoid paying extra.... I have been running and hiding from tax officials of my home country for ages. I have several offshore bank accounts and companys where i keep my eggs. Trust me if you want to hide your eggs, there are many ways to do it safely. Just remember not to put all eggs in the same basket, cause if you do and the tax officials come looking for your eggs, your in deep dudu. Do some research and consult a lawyer and you will be set up for the easy life.... Many people warn about these activities, but it's BS. I never had a problem and even my car and house is registered to an offshore company, while i'm declared broke in my home country LOL! You should see the face of the tax officials while i leave from a meeting with them in a brand new BMW. Just look at my face in the picture smiling with a cigar, that could be you too! Just remember to issue bearer bonds... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearer_bond) Uuno Turhapuro (Finnish Double Agent, Bum and a Filmstar)
<---------------- I know a lot of people like this guy..... Dude... some of us can't afford a BMW; we may be in the way to.... but know we cant... with offshore companies is easy to do whatever you talk about... but you still need some cash to invest in order to set up the legal documentation bla bla bla for that... In my country takes time (because corruption and others) or cash to build an offshore company... we recently had a tax law review, and some offshore activities are taxed now.... besides, sometimes is cheaper to buy an offshore corporation out... so for me is not that easy.... and my basket have only like 2 eggs.
Hello, The Etrade solution is not the only solution to open a US bank account if you are not a US resident. We can open your account with a major bank in Miami. If you prefer to open a real bank account with a major bank then we can help you. Our banker at Suntrust Bank will be able to assist you. See our website at http://www.bank-account-in-usa.com/. Our clients testimonials can be found at http://www.easycorpltd.com/forum/index.php. We can also incorporate your company in many states in delaware, provide you with a EIN, merchant account, etc... Simply email us if you are interested. We have also a live chat on our website so do not hesitate to ask!
Well, opening an account in US would require you to be based in US with an address proof. Sites telling you that you can open an account without actually being there would try to do something that might get you in trouble sometime. Play it straight and get cheque delivered.