How much actually arrives when you send money? + the new 1% tax
Compare what it costs to send money home by provider — and find out whether the new 1% remittance tax hits you (spoiler: only if you pay with cash). Free, no signup.
Compare your transfer
Cheapest to priciest (typical cost)
Email me the comparison + when my corridor's rates change
Methodology & data sources
The 1% tax comes from the OBBB law (IRC §4475): since January 1, 2026 a 1% excise tax applies to transfers abroad paid with cash, a money order or a cashier's check; transfers funded from a US bank account or a US-issued debit/credit card are exempt, with no minimum. The tool applies the 1% only if you choose to pay with cash. Provider costs are typical total-cost profiles (fee + exchange margin) for $200–$500 transfers, synthesized from World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide (Q3 2025) and each service's model; we show them as ranges because the real cost changes daily and with promos. The corridor average shown is the World Bank average for that country. We deliberately don't show live exchange rates — we give you the stable answer of who's typically cheapest, and send you to confirm the exact amount in the provider's app. Our Freshness Keeper checks the tax and corridor averages against their sources.
Sources: IRS — remittance tax (OBBB §4475) · World Bank — Remittance Prices Worldwide
Frequently asked questions
How much is the new 2026 remittance tax?
1% — but only if you pay with cash, a money order or a cashier's check. From a US bank account or card it doesn't apply.
How do I avoid the 1% tax?
Pay from a US bank account or a US-issued debit/credit card — app transfers funded that way are exempt.
What's the cheapest way to send to Mexico or Colombia?
Usually app services at the market exchange rate (Wise, Xe): 0.5%–3% total cost. Banks are the priciest. Compare before you send.
Does the tax apply if I'm a US citizen?
Yes — there's no citizenship exemption. What matters is how you pay (cash vs bank/card), not who you are.