Travelling with $30k cash at airport?

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by Donny Hastings, Apr 18, 2009.

  1. #1
    I need some advice...

    I have a business partner who sends me around $30,000 monthly...

    He sends me cheques which go into my bank account and I have to pay tax on them.

    He lives in a different province than me (I live in Ontario, Canada he lives in New Brunswick Canada).

    If I were to fly to his place, get the money in cash instead of cheques, would that be a possible way of lowering the amount of tax I pay? I have to pay a lot!

    My only concern is, when I'm flying with a briefcase full of money, I might get questioned by the authorities. Is there a better way for him to send me the money without it being traceable by the government? Cash cheques? Money orders?

    I know this sounds like it's from a James Bond movie... but man, I hate paying 22.5% tax that businesses have to pay here.
     
    Donny Hastings, Apr 18, 2009 IP
  2. victor9191

    victor9191 Active Member

    Messages:
    615
    Likes Received:
    10
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    90
    #2
    Have you thought instead of 22.5% tax, that u just drive there, or take a taxi service? It would cost lots , but there should be no problems... Also a wire transfer? Flying money, you have to pay more money lol so that is not a good idea. I suggest just take a taxi, and take a few people with you for safety.. Overall you spend about 100$ or 200$, but thats better than 20% of 30k :p
     
    victor9191, Apr 18, 2009 IP
  3. tobycoke

    tobycoke Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,676
    Likes Received:
    76
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    140
    #3
    I'd spend part of that $30,000 a month on a good tax lawyer. It would be cheaper than air fare. If you have a legitimate business it would be hard to hide $30,000/month.
     
    tobycoke, Apr 18, 2009 IP
  4. RobPinnacle

    RobPinnacle Active Member

    Messages:
    423
    Likes Received:
    7
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    58
    #4
    Where I live, I paid 45% in tax's last year, and thats with a good Tax Attorney.

    Personally, my suggestion is simple. Open an account in the Cayman Island's or Switzerland, and have most of the money wired there.

    Take what you need to live on and move the rest off shore. Just my personal opinion on the matter.
     
    RobPinnacle, Apr 18, 2009 IP
  5. sitey

    sitey Active Member

    Messages:
    213
    Likes Received:
    5
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    58
    #5
    I tend to agree. I know the Tax authorities in the US are very strict and carry firearm and such, I suppose it's something similar in Canada? Then why risk yourself when you can do that wisely. I am sure you can hire a top notch lawyer when you earn 30 grand a month.
     
    sitey, Apr 19, 2009 IP
  6. Reprobate

    Reprobate Guest

    Messages:
    1,060
    Likes Received:
    35
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    90
    #6
    Paying tax can suck, but you've got to consider why we pay taxes.

    Also getting caught is going to suck more.
     
    Reprobate, Apr 19, 2009 IP
  7. plibb

    plibb Peon

    Messages:
    164
    Likes Received:
    5
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #7
    Don't take 30K on a plane, that is just asking for trouble. Drive the money or hire someone if you want to avoid the authorities.
     
    plibb, Apr 19, 2009 IP
  8. patrick6411

    patrick6411 Peon

    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #8
    I have carried over 30k on a plane several times. Its really not that big of an issue. If its all $100.00 bills then you prolly will not even get noticed. I personally carry two wallets, one looks like a check wallet I put money in both. If you are not crossing a country line then you shouldn't have issues.
    I own a small biz to where I buy raw commodities, so if I ever get caught that is my out. Of course I do pay taxes on this income.
     
    patrick6411, Apr 19, 2009 IP
  9. jkadin

    jkadin Peon

    Messages:
    1,554
    Likes Received:
    35
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #9
    I would not even think of carrying that amount of cash. What would happen if you got mugged. I would stick with the check.
     
    jkadin, Apr 19, 2009 IP
  10. ovd

    ovd Active Member

    Messages:
    87
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    93
    #10

    great suggestion!:D
     
    ovd, Apr 19, 2009 IP
  11. hmansfield

    hmansfield Guest

    Messages:
    7,904
    Likes Received:
    298
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    280
    #11
    You don't want to get caught hiding money to avoid taxes. You would have to cover the entire paper trail of where the money came from, and then that opens you and your business partner to conspiracy charges as well.

    In the U.S those are very hefty charges and will land you in jail...for a while.

    You need professional advice from financial planner and tax attorney, not us.

    You certainly don't want to "traffic" that money, if you get caught...more charges.
     
    hmansfield, Apr 19, 2009 IP
  12. Donny Hastings

    Donny Hastings Peon

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #12
    Thanks guys for the suggestions.

    I will run the two ideas of driving there or moving the money off shore... by my tax attorney and see what he has to say on the matter. Driving there will take almost 14 hours one way :(
     
    Donny Hastings, Apr 19, 2009 IP
  13. tobycoke

    tobycoke Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,676
    Likes Received:
    76
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    140
    #13
    Take the train. VIA Rail has Wi-Fi & a bar car.
     
    tobycoke, Apr 19, 2009 IP
  14. 87Lakers

    87Lakers Active Member

    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    3
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    60
    #14
    There is no reason at all that you can't carry $30k wherever you want to in Canada. Just don't cross the border, and if you do, declare it. There's nothing wrong or shady about it at all.
     
    87Lakers, Apr 19, 2009 IP
  15. UncleBS

    UncleBS Guest

    Messages:
    58
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #15
    Even if you are paid in cash, the person who "paid" you will report it on his own taxes simply because of the amount.. So you won't get very far tax wise trying to hide it.. Pay your taxes..
     
    UncleBS, Apr 20, 2009 IP
  16. tscbh

    tscbh Peon

    Messages:
    127
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #16
    Paying 22.5% is not that bad.

    We have to pay a flat rate of 30% for business tax in Australia! Personal income tax is up to 45%!

    Pay your tax if you don't want to get into trouble.
     
    tscbh, Apr 20, 2009 IP
  17. ShiftChip

    ShiftChip Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    365
    Likes Received:
    7
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    110
    #17
    Isnt there a limit on the amount of cash your allowed to travel with? Like one member said trafficing money can lead to a fine?
     
    ShiftChip, Apr 20, 2009 IP
  18. 87Lakers

    87Lakers Active Member

    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    3
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    60
    #18
    You can travel with a billion dollars if you want to. Just report it at the borders. How could the government tell you that you can't travel with your money. Hell, you can burn it if you want to. But if you choose to travel with cash, you simply have to report it at international borders. Real simple.
     
    87Lakers, Apr 20, 2009 IP
  19. tobycoke

    tobycoke Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,676
    Likes Received:
    76
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    140
    #19
    You can fly with $30,000 cash within Canada but have a plausible explanation if the screeners ask why you have it. Don't tell them "it's none of your business". You may be legally correct but it could make you taken to a back room & missing your flight.
     
    tobycoke, Apr 20, 2009 IP
  20. ms11

    ms11 Peon

    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #20
    If you are trying to evade tax authorities maybe discussing details in a forum is not such a hot idea.
     
    ms11, Apr 20, 2009 IP