Tax Return - How to

As the year came to an end, it is time to claim that tax money back!

At the end of November you'll receive an email from HR telling you to opt-in via DORMS (Disney makes you register on this Onboarding page during the application process) for the email delivery of the tax document "W2". Your tax return can't be processed without this document as it contains needed information for your claim.
Another way to opt-in for the email delivery of the W2 would be on the hub (disney workplace page that you register on during your first training at work) and can be found under quick-links "d tools HR".

If you don't opt-in for the email delivery, you'll receive your "W2" via post. That takes more time to arrive, which means more time till you receive your tax return.

Once received your "W2" in the beginning of January, you are ready to claim that money back. In my opinion the easiest way, and the one i choose, is with turbotax. This page offers a free way to prepare your tax return.

Documents you should have ready
1. Document "W2"
2. Social Security Number
3. Current Adress
4. Account & Routing Number for your Bank Account

Timeline Tax-Return (applies to my Return)
1. January 16th - Tax Documents received via Email
2. January 16th - Tax Return Filed via turbotax
3. January 17th - Email confirmation that Tax Return was accepted by the IRS
4. February 8th - Received Return on my Bank Account

Getting your Money
The biggest issue after finishing the program is the question on how to receive your Return. If you decide to close your Bank Account in the United States or never had one, your Return will come to your home adress in form of a Check. This takes more time till you receive your money and after talking to former Cast Members, theres a chance that the letter doesn`t arrive.

When you plan to get your Tax Return as Check, make sure to check back with your Bank about the fees to put that money on your Account as it might be pretty expensive.

Disney provides you with a Debit Card from Citi Bank. With this Account you can`t transfer or deposit money. As this was a big issue for my first trip and because there was no representative available, i decided to open a bank account with Partners - Federal Credit Union. They have a branch right inside Epcots Cast Service Building as well as right outside of Housing near Patterson Court.

The Account at Partners is free as long as you place your direct deposit (your income) on this Account. A 10$ fee is charged while opening for the savings account that comes with your basic checking account. If theres no further income after you`ve finished your program, the charges are as follows.

Partners Bank Account (as confirmed by Partners on 08.08.17)
// If you keep at least 500$ in your Account it stays free even if theres no further income or usage
// If there`s less than 500$ in your Account a 3$ monthly fee will be charged after the second month
// As long as there are funds in the Account it will not get closed at any time
// If the account has no funds in it for 45 days and is at a zero balance it will get closed

Getting your money to you back home, can be done by either a Wire Transfer through your Bank (Partners charges a fixed amount of 35$) or through TransferWise (depening on the amount but usually under 10$, plus a better exchange rate).