bank or america - Page 3

Nope, they didn't. ^^'' Just ask for ID and the banker helped me fill out the info. submitted it on his computer and I got my card in a week. It was a trial and error thing for me, but it turned out to work.

I too, have been with BofA for about 2 years already. They only ask you for your Consulate ID and I think, possibly a school ID. I have a Savings/Checking/ and a CD(certificate of deposit).

I asked them to input my ITIN on everything just for safe measure, I suggest you guys do the same if you haven't already. BTW, BOFA offers one of the better interest rates on CD accounts.

All you need is a foreign passport, at least that's what I did and it worked for me in Illinois. Then they ask you how long you have been in the US etc. and no problem.

Can anyone tell me what the letter from BoA is supposed to look like, to apply for ITIN? What is it supposed to say? I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but I asked the Personal Banker who was helping me, and she didn't really know what I was talking about. She only gave me a print out of my savings account profile summary. I'd appreciate it if anyone can help me. Thanks!

I went in and told her I'd like to open an account, but I don't have a ssn. Told her I brought my passport and a Wells Fargo debit card with me, and she said those two are good for her to open a savings & checking account for me. Very easy process.

For those who have recently opened a Bank of America account, did you receive a W-8BEN form?

Yesterday I received said form titled "Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding". When I had my account with WaMu, I never received this form. It asks me to fill it out the form and asks for two strange requirements:

1. My "full" Non-U.S. permanent residence address. -- I don't have one...

2. Must sign and date the form to "certify" my foreign status.

3. The IRS requires a written explanation if any of my accounts have a U.S. mailing address. "If you have a U.S. mailing address, please complete the section reason the U.S. mailing address on the form." Basically, it asks me to tell them why I have a U.S. address here.


At the end it states that I should promptly fill out and return the application or my account will be subject to U.S. tax reporting and federal income tax withholding on interest paid.



Anyone else?

They just want to know if your account is tax exempt or not. I don't know how that tax law affects people like us but just to be safe I made sure my accounts are subject to taxation. Only fill out that form they just sent you if you think you're exempt and I don't think you are, so don't worry about filling it out. Don't send anything in and you'll automatically get something from your bank next Jan. listing how much in interest you made and I usually report that on my taxes.

Thanks. How did you go about your "NON-U.S." address?

Matricula? Are we talking about the Mexican voter's card here or some ID issued by the consulate? I know Well's Fargo allows us to open an account w/2 forms of govm't ID such as driver's liscence and ID. Mexican nationals can open an account w/a voter's card (implying you live in Mexico).

Just go to Well's Fargo. You'll regret doing any business w/BOA. God how I hate they absorbed MBNA!!

No. I successfully (so far) have opened a BofA account about a month ago. Now they've sent me a form asking for a "NON-U.S." address. However, I might have to follow YGAA's advice.