Is a money order the same as cash to the IRS in respect to the 8300 form filing?

No, a money order is not treated the same as cash for IRS Form 8300 filing purposes. According to the IRS, cash includes currency and coins, as well as certain negotiable instruments like cashier's checks or traveler's checks. Money orders are considered a form of payment but are not classified as cash, so transactions involving money orders may not trigger the same reporting requirements under Form 8300.