I'm leaving "La Bella Vita Land" after ten years and moving back to the states. I want to transfer 15,000 euro to my US bank account, but I fear taxes, fines, fees, goons, the IRS. I have no savvy about money in general and rely upon the kind advice of strangers....my Italian account is with Banca IntesaSanPaolo (how many mergers left?!!) if that helps.

Many Thanks

Transfer 5,000 euro per week for 3 weeks. No one will notice with amounts that small.

Bluefrog,
I'm not sure how helpful this info will be but I periodically transfer some of my Euros into Dollars in a Fineco account (you can hold an account in U.S. Dollars with a Fineco account - not sure of other banks). That way from Fineco, I transfer the money directly into my bank in New York already in Dollars. There are always middle banks that take some kind of fee (I think the most I've ever paid is $20 or so) and then my bank in the U.S. (Citibank) charges me a $10 incoming wire fee. It's a good time to transfer. The Euro is strong.
Michelle

http://www.xe.com/ and www.hifx.co.uk seem to be recommended often.

Thanks for all your suggestions! Most appreciated.