Receiving Money From Overseas | International Money Transfer | Mozo (2024)

Receiving Money From Overseas | International Money Transfer | Mozo (1)

By Maria Gil ·

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On this page:

  • What are the different ways to receive money from overseas?
  • What affects how much money I receive?
  • What fees are there to receive an IMT?
  • How long will it take for me to receive money from overseas?
  • Reasons your IMT might be delayed
  • What if the transferred money doesn’t arrive?
  • Do I need to pay taxes on money received from overseas?
  • What details do I need to receive money from overseas?
Receiving Money From Overseas | International Money Transfer | Mozo (2)

You might think that international money transfers(IMT) are mainly handled by the person sending the money, but whether you’re an Aussie expat living abroad, a visitor calling Australia home for a while or a business owner receiving international payments, there are a few things you should keep in mind before collecting funds transferred from overseas.

In this guide, we’ll give you a general rundown of all the important things you need to know when receiving money from overseas.

What are the different ways to receive money from overseas?

Since you’re on the receiving end, the method of transferring money internationally and the choice of provider may be out of your hands. But even so, it’s useful to know a bit about the different ways of receiving money from overseas.

PayPal

Friends, family or even business associates can make payments into your PayPal account from theirs. It’s an easy, secure way to transfer money from person to person, and fees are based on a percentage of your transfer amount. PayPal is great for small transfers, up to about $200.

Just remember, for PayPal to be a viable option, both the sender and the receiver need to have an account.

IMT through your bank account

Your sender can use either their regular bank or an IMT specialist to transfer money overseas, but remember that you’ll need to nominate a bank account to receive the funds.

The better the deal your sender gets, the more money you’ll receive, so it’s worth doing some research so you get the most bang for your buck.

IMT Specialist

Also known as FXspecialists are international money transfer experts that you can almost always rely on. They’re likely to be cheaper than banks and faster with their delivery. Foreign exchange providers like SendFX,TorFXandOFXoffer a safe and fast online method of converting your money.

These providers tend to offer better deals when it comes to receiving or sending money abroad.

What affects how much money I receive?

Say your mother in New Zealand is sending NZ$5,000 to you in Australia. You eagerly await the payment to come through but when it does - what’s this? Only AU$4,515 is sitting in your bank account.

Before you frantically call the bank to find out what the mistake was, you need to check a couple of details that might affect how much money you receive.

Exchange rate

The exchange rate is probably the main reason why there’s a difference between the funds that were sent and what you received. It can work in your favour (for example, transferring US dollars to Aussie dollars will mean you’ll have extra cash) or it can work against you, as in the example above.

It’s important to get the best possible exchange rate, especially if you're transferring large amounts, because even small differences can add up to hundreds of dollars.

Fees

If you’ve taken into account the exchange rate and still think the transfer amount is not right, you might have been charged a transfer fee. Your sender usually pays fees to do the IMT, but often you’ll also be hit with a charge for your bank to receive it.

What fees are there to receive an IMT?

Exactly what fees you’re charged to receive money from overseas depends on a few things, including:

  • The currency it’s sent in. If the bank needs to convert the currency, there may be a fee for that service.
  • Your bank’s relationship to the sender’s IMT provider. Your bank may pay a commission to the IMT service, and pass that cost onto you in the form of a fee.

How long will it take for me to receive money from overseas?

An international money transfer can take 1-5 days to be processed, depending on where the money is being sent to and from, and the provider doing the transfer.

Once it’s processed on the sender’s end, your bank should generally be able to put the deposit into your account on the same business day they receive it.

Reasons your IMT might be delayed

If there is a delay in your money being transferred from overseas, there could be a number of reasons why, including:

  • If the funds were sent in a foreign currency, the bank may not have received specific instructions about converting it for you. This could cause delays.
  • Security reasons. Especially when sending large amounts of money, there might be concerns about fraud or money laundering.
  • If the funds aren’t available from the sending bank account. This may particularly be a problem if your sender has set up regular payments, and forgot to check that the nominated bank account has a high enough balance to complete the transfer.
  • Incorrect details. If your sender has provided incorrect details for the IMT, it could cause delays, cancellation of the transfer or even, unfortunately, that the money has been sent to the wrong place.

What if the transferred money doesn’t arrive?

Although international money transfers are pretty secure these days, accidents do happen. If for some reason you still haven’t received the funds after the expected time has passed, here are some steps to take:

  1. Have your sender check the details they gave the transfer provider. The IBAN (international bank account number) means that even if they entered the wrong details the payment would likely bounce back to the sender as an error, rather than go through as a wrong transfer, but checking this should be your first step.
  2. If the details are all correct, the next thing to do is get confirmation from the sending bank or IMT provider that the transfer has been made. Your sender should have also received a confirmation number as soon as their transfer was approved, and this number can be used to track the transaction.
  3. If the money's already been sent, check with your bank to see if there are any delays on their end.

If those steps haven’t uncovered the problem, it's time to notify the IMT provider that something has gone wrong. They should be able to track the transfer and investigate what went wrong for you, just keep in mind, there may be a fee for this service. For more information, you can also read our guide on what happens if an overseas transfer isn't received.

Do I need to pay taxes on money received from overseas?

Paying taxes on money from international transfers can be tricky. As a general rule of thumb, think about it this way - if it’s a gift, you won’t pay tax, but if it’s income, you will.

So, for example, if your dad sends you $500 from the US for your birthday, you shouldn’t need to pay taxes on that. On the other hand, if you have an investment property in Spain and you’re receiving monthly rent payments via IMT, you’ll have to pay tax to the Aussie government, as the funds are income.

If you’re still unsure, check with the ATO before going ahead.

What details do I need to receive money from overseas?

In order to get your hands on the funds, you’ll need to give the sender a few details, including:

  • The name of your bank
  • Your BSB
  • Your account number
  • Your account name
  • The BIC/SWIFT CODE - this is an international banking code that will help identify your bank

Ready to send money overseas? Scroll down below for today's exchange rate offers for converting USD to AUD.

Or for other exchange rates and IMT providers, you can visit our international money transfers comparison hub.

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Maria Gil

Money writer

Maria Gil writes across all of our personal finance areas here at Mozo. Her goal is to help you think smarter about money and have more in your pocket. Maria earned a journalism degree in Florida in the United States, where she has contributed to major news outlets such as The Miami Herald. She also completed a masters of digital communications at the University of Sydney. When Maria isn’t busy with all things finance, you can find her tucked away reading fantasy books. She is also ASIC RG146 (Tier 2) certified for general advice.

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Receiving Money From Overseas | International Money Transfer | Mozo (2024)

FAQs

Receiving Money From Overseas | International Money Transfer | Mozo? ›

Financial institutions and money transfer providers are obligated to report international transfers that exceed $10,000. You can learn more about the Bank Secrecy Act from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Generally, they won't report transactions valued below that threshold.

How much money can you receive from international transfer? ›

Financial institutions and money transfer providers are obligated to report international transfers that exceed $10,000. You can learn more about the Bank Secrecy Act from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Generally, they won't report transactions valued below that threshold.

What is the process of receiving money from overseas? ›

You can receive money from overseas directly into your bank account, using an international money transfer service. You'll need to provide your bank details so the sender can set up an online account with the international money transfer provider and exchange the money into your desired currency.

What information do I need to give to receive an international transfer? ›

Recipient bank name, address and country. Recipient bank's routing code and recipient's account number. SWIFT Code, National ID or IBAN number of the bank where the receiving account is located. Purpose for transfer.

Do I need to report money transferred from overseas? ›

Americans who receive financial gifts from foreign loved ones won't have to pay taxes on the transfer. However, if you yourself sent funds to an American while abroad, you might. Recipients of foreign inheritances typically don't have a tax liability in the United States.

What happens if you transfer more than $10000? ›

Who must file. Generally, any person in a trade or business who receives more than $10,000 in cash in a single transaction or in related transactions must file a Form 8300.

Are wire transfers over $10000 reported to the IRS? ›

What is the law regarding wire transfers and the IRS? Under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) of 1970, financial institutions are required to report certain transactions to the IRS. This includes wire transfers over $10,000, which are subject to reporting under the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (31 U.S.C.

How can I receive money from abroad in USA? ›

Best ways to receive money internationally
  1. International money transfer specialist.
  2. Online multi-currency account.
  3. Bank-to-bank international transfer.
  4. Cash pick-up.
  5. Home delivery.
  6. Mobile wallets.

How can I receive money from another country to USA? ›

What is the best way to receive money from abroad?
  1. International money transfer services. ...
  2. Bank transfer. ...
  3. Money orders/bank drafts. ...
  4. Cash pickup/home delivery. ...
  5. Mobile and electronic wallets. ...
  6. Fees. ...
  7. Exchange rate.

How long does it take to get money transferred from overseas? ›

How long do international payments take? International bank transfers usually take one or two days but can take as long as five depending on the currency. For example, US dollars and euros are normally quicker than weaker currencies.

What is required to receive money from a transfer? ›

Provide the required information to the sender, which can include your name, bank account information, routing number and contact number. You may also need to provide additional information if you're receiving money internationally. Prepare for any fees associated with receiving your wire transfer.

What bank details are required for international transfer to US? ›

the bank code (SWIFT or BIC) of the bank you're sending money to. the IBAN or account number of the person or business you're sending money to – this has the information we need to send a payment overseas. the address of the person or business you're sending money to. the address of the bank you're sending money to.

What information do I give to receive a bank transfer? ›

Six-digit sort code of the account you're paying.
  1. Eight-digit account number of the account you're paying.
  2. A payment reference (often your name or customer number) to let them know the money came from you.
  3. Sometimes you'll need the name and address of the bank you're sending the money to.

How much money can you receive from overseas without paying taxes? ›

Reporting gifts from a nonresident alien to the IRS

You can receive a gift of as much as $100,000 from a foreigner without reporting it, as long as it is not paid out through a trust and it does not get deposited in a foreign bank account owned by you.

Does IRS check international wire transfers? ›

The IRS does monitor international wire transfers, and that there's an overseas money transfer limit of $10,000¹ before your transfer will be reported to the IRS.

Do I have to pay tax on money transferred from overseas to US? ›

Transferring money from one of your foreign accounts to your American account does not incur tax. However, Americans are taxed on their worldwide income, and while transferring money between your accounts doesn't generate taxable income on your federal tax returns, earning income abroad does.

How much money can you transfer without notifying the IRS? ›

The law requires trades and businesses report cash payments of more than $10,000 to the federal government by filing IRS/FinCEN Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or BusinessPDF .

Is depositing $1000 cash suspicious? ›

Banks report individuals who deposit $10,000 or more in cash. The IRS typically shares suspicious deposit or withdrawal activity with local and state authorities, Castaneda says. The federal law extends to businesses that receive funds to purchase more expensive items, such as cars, homes or other big amenities.

What is the maximum transfer for IRS? ›

The transfer is one-time only, up to $50,000 in a single year. So, a donor can transfer amounts less than $50,000 in a year, then add more in the same year.

How much money can I wire transfer without being flagged? ›

Banks must report all wire transfers over $10,000 using a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) and submit it to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

Do large wire transfers get flagged? ›

By law, banks report all cash transactions that exceed $10,000 — the international money transfer reporting limit set by the IRS. In addition, a bank may report any transaction of any amount that alerts its suspicions.

Can I transfer 100k to my son? ›

For 2022, the annual gift tax exclusion sits at $16,000. This applies per individual. So you can give $16,000 in cash or property to your son, daughter and granddaughter each without worrying about a gift tax. If you and your spouse make a gift jointly, the exclusion is $32,000.

How much money can I receive from USA? ›

While the RDA scheme comes with no upper limit for inward remittances for personal purposes (commercial remittances are capped at INR 15 lakhs), through MTSS there's a hard limit of $2500 for inward remittances. Moreover, you can only receive up to 30 MTSS transfers annually.

How do I accept international payments? ›

To accept international payments, companies should research the local banking system of their overseas client and choose a secure international invoice payment method that allows them to get paid quickly and securely.

What is the safest way to receive money from someone? ›

Besides cash, a certified check is the safest way you can receive a payment to your business.

What account details are needed to receive money? ›

The full name of your recipient. The amount of money you want to transfer. Your recipient's 6-digit sort code. Your recipient's 8-digit account number.

What happens if money is transferred but not received? ›

What happens if money is transferred but not received? If money is transferred but not received, the sender should contact the bank or service used to initiate the transfer to track the transaction. They can also contact the recipient's bank to inquire if the funds have been received.

How long does a SWIFT wire transfer take? ›

A SWIFT payment generally takes 1-4 working days.

Before your funds are credited to the recipient, they will undergo anti-fraud and anti-money laundering checks, which takes time. Some banks may also route your money via an intermediary bank if there is no direct relationship between your bank and the destination bank.

Why has my money not been transferred yet? ›

If your recipient says they haven't yet received the money, there are two possible reasons why. But some banks are slower than others — they might take up to 1 working day for them to release the money. So your money's safely on its way, but the recipient bank is still processing it.

What is required for all money transfers of $3000 or more? ›

Recordkeeping Requirements

For each payment order of $3,000 or more that a bank accepts as a beneficiary's bank, the bank must retain a record of the payment order.

Can international bank transfers take longer than 5 working days? ›

Generally speaking, international bank transfers will arrive within one to five working days. Let's explore what this looks like. To send an international payment, you simply need to gather all the necessary information (IBAN number, BIC/SWIFT number, recipient's banking details, etc.)

How long does it take for a $30000 check to clear? ›

Deposits of $5,000 or less usually clear within 3 business days. Deposits of more than $5,000 usually take 4 business days to clear. The first $200 of the total check deposits will be available no later than the first business day after the deposit, usually available immediately.

How do I receive an international wire transfer to U.S. Bank? ›

How do I receive a wire transfer?
  1. Your full name, as it appears on the account.
  2. Your full account number.
  3. For domestic wires, your routing number.
  4. For international wires, they need to use a Swift Code instead of the routing number. U.S. Bank's Swift Code is USBKUS44IMT.
  5. The address for incoming wire transfers is:

What are the risks of receiving a wire transfer? ›

The transfer speed, potential size of such losses and the inability to recover funds once they are transferred to the destination institution all leave financial institutions vulnerable to significant risk.

Do I need routing number for international wire transfer to USA? ›

It doesn't matter if it's a payment within the United States or an international money transfer to a US bank account, you'll need a US bank routing number. This is because the routing number locates the specific bank branch that will receive the payment.

Should I give someone my bank details to transfer money? ›

Your banking and personal details should be kept private and off social media. Even sharing them with friends could put them at risk. Fraudsters can send an email or text to try to steal your details.

How do I receive money from a bank transfer? ›

To receive money by wire, you'll need to provide your bank account information to the person or business sending money. Ask your bank for incoming wire instructions to be sure you use the correct numbers.

How much money can one person receive from overseas? ›

If you receive a gift from a foreign individual or foreign estate, you must report it if the total value of the gift exceeds $100,000 during a given tax year.

How much money can you transfer from overseas to the US? ›

If transactions involve more than $10,000, you are responsible for reporting the transfers to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Failing to do so could lead to fines and other legal repercussions.

Can my foreign parents give me $100 000? ›

Reporting Requirements

For gifts or bequests from a nonresident alien or foreign estate, you are required to report the receipt of such gifts or bequests only if the aggregate amount received from that nonresident alien or foreign estate exceeds $100,000 during the taxable year.

Do wire transfers over $10000 get reported to the IRS? ›

What is the law regarding wire transfers and the IRS? Under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) of 1970, financial institutions are required to report certain transactions to the IRS. This includes wire transfers over $10,000, which are subject to reporting under the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (31 U.S.C.

Do wire transfers trigger IRS? ›

Failing to declare your foreign bank accounts could cause you to become noncompliant with FATCA, which could trigger an audit by the IRS. Receiving a wire transfer from a foreign account is, to the IRS, tantamount to a declaration that your foreign account exists.

How does the IRS know if you have a foreign bank account? ›

Through FATCA, the IRS receives account numbers, balances, names, addresses, and identification numbers of account holders. Americans with foreign accounts must also submit Form 8938 to the IRS in addition to the largely redundant FBAR form.

Are large wire transfers reported to IRS? ›

Federal law requires a person to report cash transactions of more than $10,000 by filing IRS Form 8300PDF, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business.

How much money can you transfer without being taxed? ›

By law, banks report all cash transactions that exceed $10,000 — and any transaction of any amount that alerts their suspicions. Money transfer businesses, which often solely send money between countries, sometimes have reporting thresholds as low as $1,000.

How much money can you transfer to another person in us? ›

Bank transfer limits
Type of transferTransfer limit
ACH Same Day transferUp to $1,000,000
Bank of America Corp.$3,500 per day or $10,000 per week
JPMorgan Chase & Co.Up to $25,000 per day
Citigroup Inc. Standard ACHUp to $10,000 per day
1 more row

How can I transfer large amounts of money from overseas? ›

Best Ways to Send Large Sums of Money Abroad
  1. Bank-to-Bank Transfers. Some banks let people take money directly from one bank account and deliver it to a recipient's bank account. ...
  2. Wire Transfers. ...
  3. Automated Clearing House Transactions. ...
  4. Cash-to-Cash Transfers. ...
  5. Prepaid Debit Cards.

Do I have to pay tax on money transferred from overseas to us? ›

Transferring money from one of your foreign accounts to your American account does not incur tax. However, Americans are taxed on their worldwide income, and while transferring money between your accounts doesn't generate taxable income on your federal tax returns, earning income abroad does.

Can the IRS see my foreign bank account? ›

Yes, eventually the IRS will find your foreign bank account. When they do, hopefully your foreign bank accounts with balances over $10,000 have been reported annually to the IRS on a FBAR “foreign bank account report” (Form 114).

Does IRS track international wire transfers? ›

The IRS does monitor international wire transfers, and that there's an overseas money transfer limit of $10,000¹ before your transfer will be reported to the IRS.

Can we transfer $50000 to USA directly? ›

What is the limit for a Resident Individual for sending money from India to USA? As per the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) limit, USD 2,50,000 or its equivalent can be remitted abroad in a financial year. RBI approval is required if the remittance amount exceeds this limit.

How to transfer 50k to someone? ›

7 methods to consider when transferring large amounts of money
  1. Automated clearing house (ACH) ...
  2. Bank-to-bank. ...
  3. Money transfer. ...
  4. Cash-to-cash. ...
  5. Prepaid debit cards. ...
  6. Foreign currency check. ...
  7. International money transfer service.
May 27, 2021

What is the best way to transfer large amount of money? ›

Best for sending $10,000 or more within the U.S.: Bank wire transfer. Cheapest for international bank-to-bank transfers: MoneyGram. Fastest for international transfers: Xoom. Best for transferring large amounts internationally: OFX.

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