Missing 1099-INT from BoA for Account Opening Bonus - help needed!

Don't skip reporting it! Even though it seems like a small amount, unreported income can cause issues down the road, especially for someone on a visa. You don't actually need the physical 1099-INT form to file your taxes correctly. The IRS only requires that you report all your income accurately. Since you know the amount ($200 gross, $152 net with $48 withheld), you can report this on your tax return without the actual form. When you fill out your tax forms, include the $200 as interest income on Schedule B, and make sure to claim the $48 withholding as federal tax already paid. This way, you're reporting everything accurately and getting credit for taxes already withheld. If you're using tax software, there should be an option to manually enter 1099-INT information even if you don't have the physical form. Just enter Bank of America as the payer, the full $200 amount, and the $48 withholding.

After months of frustration with missing tax documents, I finally found a solution with taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that saved me from a similar situation. I had multiple missing 1099 forms and couldn't get them before the deadline. Their AI tool analyzed my bank statements and was able to identify my account opening bonus and other taxable events. It categorized everything properly and I could download a substitute form that had all the info I needed for my tax filing. Definitely worth checking out if you're struggling with getting documents from financial institutions. The best part is you can upload screenshots of your bank statements showing the bonus deposit and they'll help identify the proper tax classification so you're reporting it correctly.

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after posting my question about the Chase referral bonuses. It actually found TWO referral bonuses I had completely forgotten about! The tool flagged them immediately when I uploaded my statements and even showed me which tax form they should be reported on. I'm pretty impressed - it saved me from potentially getting another CP2000 notice. The interface was super simple too, didn't require any tax knowledge to use. Just uploaded my statements and it did the analysis automatically. Way easier than I expected for dealing with missing tax documents.

If you need to talk to someone at Bank of America directly about this, I highly recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation with missing tax documents from Wells Fargo and spent WEEKS trying to get through their customer service. Claimyr got me past the phone tree hell and connected directly to a real person at the bank within 15 minutes. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. The agent I spoke with was able to arrange for my documents to be sent electronically through their secure messaging system, which I couldn't get done through normal channels.

I take back what I said about Claimyr. I tried it yesterday out of desperation because my tax deadline is coming up fast and I STILL couldn't get through to Capital One about a missing 1099. It actually worked exactly as advertised. I was connected to a real person in about 12 minutes after spending days trying on my own. The agent was able to send my 1099 through their secure message center which I didn't even know was an option. Sometimes you have to admit when you're wrong. This service is legit and saved me a ton of stress. Already filed my taxes with the proper documents.

Another option: You can use IRS Form 4852 as a substitute for a missing 1099-INT. It's designed for missing tax documents where you know the information but can't get the official form. I had to do this two years ago when a small credit union never sent my 1099-INT despite multiple requests. You just fill out the form with your best estimate of the interest and withholding, attach a statement explaining why you don't have the original form, and file it with your return.

Just want to point out that $48 tax on a $200 bonus is 24%, which is actually the correct withholding rate for interest income for nonresident aliens on F or J visas. So the withholding amount checks out. Make sure you're filing the right tax return form too - if you were on a J1 visa, you might need to file Form 1040-NR (Nonresident Alien) instead of the regular 1040. The taxation rules can be different depending on your residency status.

Great advice from everyone here! I just wanted to add another perspective as someone who went through a similar situation with missing tax documents from overseas. If you're still having trouble getting the 1099-INT from BoA, you might also try reaching out to their international customer service line - they sometimes have different procedures for overseas customers. The number is usually different from their domestic line and the agents may be more familiar with mailing documents internationally. Also, since you mentioned you're back in your home country, check if your country has a tax treaty with the US that might affect how this income is treated. Some treaties allow for reduced withholding rates on interest income, which could potentially mean you're due a refund of part of that $48 they withheld. One more tip: if you end up using any of the suggested workarounds (Form 4852, manual entry, etc.), keep detailed records of all your attempts to get the official form. Print out emails, note down call dates and reference numbers, etc. This documentation will be helpful if the IRS ever questions the discrepancy. Good luck with your filing!