This is a bit of a banking nerd question.

I would like to SWIFT transfer more than 10k but I know that means the U.S. bank needs to file a report to the IRS (not me) and also extra steps to verify (like a phone call).

So I would rather to avoid that transfer under the threshold now (like 9800) and do additional under threshold transfers at later dates.

Not right away. Most likely a delay of approximately three months.

HOWEVER, might that be even worse and see as money structuring and subject to even more scrutiny?

To be clear, this is legit money, not an attempt at money laundering, as if.

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

This is a bit of a banking nerd question.

I would like to SWIFT transfer more than 10k but I know that means the U.S. bank needs to file a report to the IRS (not me) and also extra steps to verify (like a phone call).

So I would rather to avoid that transfer under the threshold now (like 9800) and do additional under threshold transfers at later dates.

Not right away. Most likely a delay of approximately three months.

HOWEVER, might that be even worse and see as money structuring and subject to even more scrutiny?

To be clear, this is legit money, not an attempt at money laundering, as if.

I wouldn't concern yourself with the IRS, unless that is a routine, shy of 10k too often, then as you suspect, that would draw their attention.

I'd keep under 10k + what's in your account, to avoid FBAR. I transfer or withdraw my Soc Sec every 3rd month or so, just for that reason (FBAR).

I transferred large amount ($150+k) a couple times, and nobody batted any eye. Kind of surprised actually.

Thanks.

I'm not really concerned about the IRS.

A little bit concerned about my bank.

One time I did an over 10K and had extra security steps which annoyed me and the person basically admitted it's generally only for over 10K.

I guess they also have an algorithm that would also trigger more scrutiny with 9K ish transfers done in a certain too short amount of time.

But no way of knowing the details of that.

14 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Thanks.

I'm not really concerned about the IRS.

A little bit concerned about my bank.

One time I did an over 10K and had extra security steps which annoyed me and the person basically admitted it's generally only for over 10K.

I guess they also have an algorithm that would also trigger more scrutiny with 9K ish transfers done in a certain too short amount of time.

But no way of knowing the details of that.

They’ll care more about structuring than they will about your piddly transfer that gets reported to them.

You’re allowed to transfer more than 10k. If you have nothing to hide, why set yourself up as a target?

6 minutes ago, Airalee said:

They’ll care more about structuring than they will about your piddly transfer that gets reported to them.

You’re allowed to transfer more than 10k. If you have nothing to hide, why set yourself up as a target?

Yeah I get that. Appearing to be structuring is definitely more of a red flag than going over 10K. As I said I just want to avoid any extra steps with my bank. I also agree the amounts I'm talking about are low over 10K a pop or not.

Anyway, say structuring is suspected and the legal source of the funds is without question, so what if they do suspect? What will happen? Someone will look at the source funds (in my case I have no worries) or what exactly?

Just now, Jingthing said:

Yeah I get that. Appearing to be structuring is definitely more of a red flag than going over 10K. As I said I just want to avoid any extra steps with my bank. I also agree the amounts I'm talking about are low over 10K a pop or not.

Anyway, say structuring is suspected and the legal source of the funds is without question, so what if they do suspect? What will happen? Someone will look at the source funds (in my case I have no worries) or what exactly?

So you’re willing to break the law just to avoid what exactly? I have never had any problem with BoA and have never transferred less than 10k. Never filled out a special form, never been asked a single question beyond whatever notes are included in my transfer request.

Why not avoid the hassle and just do things the way they request? Or you can play games and take your chances.

15 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I wouldn't concern yourself with the IRS, unless that is a routine, shy of 10k too often, then as you suspect, that would draw their auslttention.

I'd keep under 10k + what's in your account, to avoid FBAR. I transfer or withdraw my Soc Sec every 3rd month or so, just for that reason (FBAR).

I transferred large amount ($150+k) a couple times, and nobody batted any eye. Kind of surprised actually.

So how do you do your financials for your extensions. Obviously you don't have the 800,000 in the bank and your doing transfers every 3rd month or so. Why don't you get your SS direct deposited to Thailand? FBAR takes about ten minutes to do, no big deal.

15 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I wouldn't concern yourself with the IRS, unless that is a routine, shy of 10k too often, then as you suspect, that would draw their attention.

I'd keep under 10k + what's in your account, to avoid FBAR. I transfer or withdraw my Soc Sec every 3rd month or so, just for that reason (FBAR).

I transferred large amount ($150+k) a couple times, and nobody batted any eye. Kind of surprised actually.

10 minutes ago, Airalee said:

So you’re willing to break the law just to avoid what exactly? I have never had any problem with BoA and have never transferred less than 10k. Never filled out a special form, never been asked a single question beyond whatever notes are included in my transfer request.

Why not avoid the hassle and just do things the way they request? Or you can play games and take your chances.

Money laundering is breaking the law.

Appearing to be structuring which could look like money laundering -- how is that breaking the law?

I'm really asking.

Looking like breaking the law isn't breaking the law is it?

Again, if the source of funds is 100 percent legit and very easy for the bank and IRS to see that, what happens if it looks like structuring?

So they take two minutes to look at the source of funds and the suspicion is resolved.

Or do they literally make a "federal case" about a crime that never happened?

Structuring is illegal. It’s not about why you’re structuring, where you sourced the funds, etc. Why give them the opportunity to apply the law selectively? Will you complain if they do?

It’s not “looking like breaking the law. It is breaking the law.

If you want to invite questions and potential drama….feel free.

5 minutes ago, Airalee said:

Structuring is illegal. It’s not about why you’re structuring, where you sourced the funds, etc. Why give them the opportunity to apply the law selectively? Will you complain if they do?

It’s not “looking like breaking the law. It is breaking the law.

If you want to invite questions and potential drama….feel free.

Wow.

I'm glad that I opened this topic.

I had no idea that the structuring itself was illegal EVEN if the funds are legit!

I thought it was only a red flag for the possible crime of money laundering.

But wait. Check this out.

This seems to indicate that the anti structuring laws do NOT apply to wire transfers!

Your opinion please.

www.uslawexplained.com/structuring

Structuring: The Ultimate Guide to the $10,000 Cash Reporting Rule [US Law Explained]

1 hour ago, flexomike said:

So how do you do your financials for your extensions. Obviously you don't have the 800,000 in the bank and your doing transfers every 3rd month or so. Why don't you get your SS direct deposited to Thailand? FBAR takes about ten minutes to do, no big deal.

I do monthly income direct deposits extensions with my social security being deposited in BBL.

Then every third month or so I take that out of BBL so I don't have to file FBAR.

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Wow.

I'm glad that I opened this topic.

I had no idea that the structuring itself was illegal EVEN if the funds are legit!

I thought it was only a red flag for the possible crime of money laundering.

But wait. Check this out.

This seems to indicate that the anti structuring laws do NOT apply to wire transfers!

Your opinion please.

www.uslawexplained.com/structuring

Structuring: The Ultimate Guide to the $10,000 Cash Reporting Rule [US Law Explained]

A simple AI search says that structuring does in fact apply to wire transfers but of course, further down in the google search results, there are people on sites such as Reddit and other bloggers that claim that it does not apply.

FINCEN actually uses wire transfers as an example of structuring, so if you want my best guess opinion, I’d say that wire transfers are treated the same way,

https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/shared/comment_letter_rin_1506-AA86.pdf

Would it it be easier to just transfer the full sum money and put down living/medical/etc expenses in the “reason for transfer” box rather than have multiple transactions that will potentially be flagged (causing future headaches)?

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

I do monthly income direct deposits extensions with my social security being deposited in BBL.

Then every third month or so I take that out of BBL so I don't have to file FBAR.

so what do you do with the money when you take it out, bury it in a jar in the backyard.

1 minute ago, flexomike said:

so what do you do with the money when you take it out, bury it in a jar in the backyard.

Stick in the wife's accounts, and we invest it. Some we keep out, probably way too much, but I don't tend to lose things. With that, wish TH had larger denomination bank notes, as anything more than 100k doesn't sit well in my 'man bag'

1 hour ago, Airalee said:

A simple AI search says that structuring does in fact apply to wire transfers but of course, further down in the google search results, there are people on sites such as Reddit and other bloggers that claim that it does not apply.

FINCEN actually uses wire transfers as an example of structuring, so if you want my best guess opinion, I’d say that wire transfers are treated the same way,

https://www.fincen.gov/system/files/shared/comment_letter_rin_1506-AA86.pdf

Would it it be easier to just transfer the full sum money and put down living/medical/etc expenses in the “reason for transfer” box rather than have multiple transactions that will potentially be flagged (causing future headaches)?

If you have 10000 dollars or more at any time in a combination of all of your foreign accounts you would need to do the FBAR

Well I'm well up on FBAR filing rules as I use the 800k baht in Thai bank method for retirement extensions so I've always needed to file them.

This topic however even though the 10K number is coincidentally important to both, is not about FBAR.

I thought the legal link I posted was quite crystal clear -- that the law against structuring is about cash and is not about wire transfers.

But it can be risky relying on internet sources, even apparently credible one.

I just did a transfer of 9950 which is about as blatant as you can get as far as avoiding the 10K short of 9999.99. (Ha ha.)

The last one I did was about 6K which was about Thai tax reasons to clear old old pre Thai tax rule changes savings.

I think I will probably do an over 10K one next time. Either a lot higher or for a little bit of sport -- 10,100.

It will be interesting to see that even though the bank will need to file an IRS form whether they will actually up the verification game for such a trivial overage.

Cheers.

Well further googling has led me to a conclusion that while the intention of laws against structuring are mainly targeted at cash transactions, they can apply to Wires as well.

Obviously patterns matter.

For example I just did 9950.

Let say I did ten additional 9960 wires in the next ten days.

That would be a very clear case of structuring.

Breaking up a large amount always under the 10K threshold assumed to be to avoid IRS reporting.

But let's say the next 9950 wire is four months later?

Would that be seen as a pattern proving structuring?

In any case, I'm spooked enough by this new info to me that I will be breaking doing anything that could possibly be seen as a structuring pattern.

Probably not much reason to be spooked by all the bank regulations. I wouldn’t be surprised if all my transfers were flagged but what goes on behind the scenes is anybody’s guess.

The online system probably kicks it over to some desk jockey who looks at the transfer, clicks “ok” and then wistfully thinks, “I’d sure love to visit Thailand someday”.

On 2/9/2026 at 3:27 PM, Jingthing said:

I would like to SWIFT transfer more than 10k but I know that means the U.S. bank needs to file a report to the IRS (not me) and also extra steps to verify (like a phone call).

Wrong. Only if you withdraw more than $10k in cash is the bank (not you) supposed to report it.

Withdrawing over $10,000 in cash triggers an automatic Currency Transaction Report (CTR) filed by your bank with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) under the Bank Secrecy Act. This is a routine procedure to deter money laundering and fraud, not a block on your funds.

As mentioned before it is known that what they are looking for as evidence of structuring is in the PATTERNS.

Some kind of combination of evidence of a pattern of --

Breaking up a large chunk of money into several (how many?) under 10K transfers.

Time. A pattern of above in a short time period would be damning.

The same done with breaks of for example four months could still be structuring by a very patient person but it seems to me not as damning.

What's in the account? If for example it's 200K and someone does 9999 every month, that shows guilt.

But if the account is modest, it's not breaking up a large sum.

Banks are supposed to (obligated) grass out people that they think are structuring.

So I have a question that only a banking insider could possibly know.

Details of what is the trigger. Probably a silly question as this is a perfect issue for AI.

One transaction of 9999.99 is not a PATTERN.

Those who transfer their monthly social security check are not going near to 10K and it's obvious that their pattern isn't structuring.

6 minutes ago, JimGant said:

Wrong. Only if you withdraw more than $10k in cash is the bank (not you) supposed to report it.

We've been over this before and I've found that there is actually CONFLICTING info out there about whether wires are truly exempt.

We do know for a definite fact the intention of the law was about cash transactions.

Based on my research so far, I'm currently of the opinion that wires can be flagged as structuring patterns as well.

Oh, sorry, I see you're talking about bank IRS reporting, not structuring patterns.

I'll check that out again. I was pretty sure wires over 10K require that as well. But good news I suppose if they don't.

Cheers.

Well this seems resolved.

Banks ARE required to report wires over 10K to the IRS.

Not only cash.

Are Wire Transfers Over $10,000 Reported to the IRS? A Guide to Understanding the Law - Veem

www.veem.com/library/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. 5311 et seq.).

Financial institutions must file a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) for any transaction over $10,000. The CTR includes information about the person initiating the transaction, the recipient, and the nature of the transaction. The purpose of this requirement is to prevent money laundering and other criminal activity.
 

2 hours ago, Airalee said:

Probably not much reason to be spooked by all the bank regulations. I wouldn’t be surprised if all my transfers were flagged but what goes on behind the scenes is anybody’s guess.

The online system probably kicks it over to some desk jockey who looks at the transfer, clicks “ok” and then wistfully thinks, “I’d sure love to visit Thailand someday”.

Why shouldn't I be spooked as I know by now that the pattern of my transactions over time could even remotely look like structuring? Certainly grounds to start doing over 10K transfers going forward.

The IRS can access your account activity. The bank will notify the IRS when you transfer $10K or over. The bank will also notify the IRS if the transfers look suspicious, like multiple transfers under $10K, and then the IRA might look at all your bank activity.

I do online swift transfers from my Chase account in the US to my Thai accounts.

This is where it gets weirdly onerous.

I started this topic with the assumption that structuring was merely a red flag for money laundering.

But under the law, the structuring itself is very illegal and it is still illegal even if you can prove that the money is legit and not being laundered! Crazy bad but they're in charge.

It reminds me a Thai laws against bad reviews even if you can document what you said in the bad review are facts.

There was a live rat swimming in my tom yum!

Here is the video and several signed witnesses.

You're the one in trouble, not the restaurant.

33 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Well this seems resolved.

Banks ARE required to report wires over 10K to the IRS.

Not only cash.

Nope.

There are a few different institutions that are exempt from CTR [Currency Transaction Report] filing requirements. These include:

• Banks operating in the United States

• Federal, state, local, or interstate governmental departments, agencies, or authorities

• Entities listed on the major national stock exchanges (including subsidiaries in which these entities hold a majority stake)

  https://www.hummingbird.co/resources/what-is-a-currency-transaction-report-ctr

8 minutes ago, JimGant said:

Nope.

I don't mean to be contrarian for sport (I just want to learn the truth), but it's my impression that when it says U.S. banks are exempt, what is meant by that is BANK TO BANK transactions.

The link that I provided before definitely implied that.

I believe domestic bank to bank transfers in the US over $10K are also reported and structuring rules apply,

13 hours ago, Jingthing said:

As mentioned before it is known that what they are looking for as evidence of structuring is in the PATTERNS.

Some kind of combination of evidence of a pattern of --

Breaking up a large chunk of money into several (how many?) under 10K transfers.

Time. A pattern of above in a short time period would be damning.

The same done with breaks of for example four months could still be structuring by a very patient person but it seems to me not as damning.

What's in the account? If for example it's 200K and someone does 9999 every month, that shows guilt.

But if the account is modest, it's not breaking up a large sum.

Banks are supposed to (obligated) grass out people that they think are structuring.

So I have a question that only a banking insider could possibly know.

Details of what is the trigger. Probably a silly question as this is a perfect issue for AI.

One transaction of 9999.99 is not a PATTERN.

Those who transfer their monthly social security check are not going near to 10K and it's obvious that their pattern isn't structuring.

you are making a big issue out of nothing, unless you have something to hide

2 hours ago, flexomike said:

you are making a big issue out of nothing, unless you have something to hide

You missed the point.

It's irrelevant to.the illegality of structuring whether you have something to hide or not.

It's only about a numerical PATTERN.