ISSS-BU News . 27 February 2006. ISSS-BU News
An electronic news service for international students and scholars, owned by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at Binghamton University, State University of New York
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Editor's Note: Lecture Hall 8 was quite full on Friday afternoon for the first income tax seminar of the Spring semester. We thank all of the students who attended, and hope that you found the information helpful. The next income tax seminar for students will be Tuesday, March 14 at 1:30pm in Lecture Hall 8. Classes are not in session on this day.
ISSS-BU News will continue to publish income tax articles throughout tax season. In today's issue we offer a series of articles that contain very important tax updates. Also, helpful information is available in the “Taxes” section of the ISSS website, at the following link: http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/taxes.html
CONTENTS:1. “US-Style Resumes and Cover Letters” Employment Workshop is Friday, March 3
Get the answers to your questions on employment regulations and employment strategies for short-term employment, long-term employment and internships as part of a series of four workshops taking place this Spring.
The next workshop in this Spring's employment workshop series is titled: "Presenting Yourself in Writing: US-style resumes and cover letters." It offers tips for what U.S. employers expect in terms of appropriate format, style and content. Learn what is appropriate and what isn't appropriate to include in a resume and cover letter. Find out what services are available in the Career Development Center to help you prepare an appropriate resume.
It will be held on Friday, March 3 at 3:30pm in Career Development Center Workshop Room, Library North G-307.
Looking for an easy way to keep track of upcoming ISSS employment workshops? The direct link is: http://isss.binghamton.edu/emp/EmploymentWorkshop.html or go to http://isss.binghamton.edu and click on "employment," then scroll down to: "This Semester's Employment Workshops."
The workshops are sponsored by the Career Development Center and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.
2. Next International Coffee Hour is Friday, March 3
Good company! Free food! An opportunity to visit with friends and classmates!
This month's International Coffee Hour will be held on Friday, March 3 from 3:30-5:00pm in the University Union Old Union Hall. The Coffee Hour strives to be a space where the entire Binghamton University community, including international students, U.S. students, faculty/staff, and community members are welcome. The coffee hours are informal and provide an opportunity to meet and learn more about each other in a relaxed atmosphere. Each coffee hour has free hot and cold beverages and cookies, sponsored by a different department on campus.
The sponsor of this month's International Coffee Hour is the Division of Research.
3. Moved Recently? Time to Report Your Change of Address
Have you moved? Did you remember that SEVIS requires that you report your change of address to the ISSS? The office makes it easy for you to comply with the address requirement by filing out a change of address form on the web. Visit: http://isss.binghamton.edu/addrChange.html
4. Traveling During the March or April Spring Breaks?
Do you plan to travel during the Spring break? There are two this year, one in mid-March and another in April. Whether you will travel within the United States or to another country during Spring break, be sure to read the ISSS article titled “Traveling During Spring Break”, available on the ISSS website in the “Travel” section. The direct link is http://isss.binghamton.edu/travel/springbreak.html
5. Income Tax Information: Federal Non-Resident Income Tax Forms Cannot Be Filed Electronically
A few students have informed the ISSS that they have used one of the free “e-filing” services available on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or New York State Tax web pages to submit their non-resident tax forms. The only problem is, if you used one of the e-filing services, but you are a non-resident for tax purposes (F and J students who entered the United States in F or J status in calendar year 2001 or later) you will file the WRONG forms! This is because the “e-filing” services prepare and submit only the resident tax forms. Currently, the IRS does not permit form 8843, form 1040NR EZ or form 1040NR to be filed electronically.
What should you do if you filed a resident income tax form in error rather than a non-resident income tax form? You should use CINTAX to fill out the proper non-resident federal income tax forms, and submit them to the IRS address in Philadelphia, PA along with form 1040X (Amended Income Tax Form). If you filed a resident New York State tax return in error, then you need to file form IT 203X and IT 203B. The ISSS has form 1040X, IT 203X and instructions available; please ask Kim or Elaine for them, as they are kept in a separate folder, not on the shelves with the other forms. For more information on filing an amended income tax return, see: http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/taxamend.htm
What can happen if you filed a resident tax return by mistake and decide not to file an amended return as a non-resident? Keep in mind you filed the resident return "under penalties of perjury" claiming that you were a U.S. resident for tax purposes. If you did not pay enough tax (most likely this will be the case), then once the IRS discovers this, you will still have to pay the tax, plus interest, plus penalties.
6. Income Tax Information: CINTAX and Entering Data About Form 1099-G
A number of students have reported difficulty in entering the requested data about form 1099-G in CINTAX. For students who received a form 1099-G from New York State, reporting a 2004 state income tax refund that was paid in 2005, the information on the form does not seem to match the questions CINTAX asks students to complete. This problem applies only to students and scholars who filed a New York State tax return for calendar year 2004 and received a refund.
The ISSS contacted CINTAX for guidance, and here is their reply:
If you received Form 1099-G from New York State, it will look different from the Form 1099-G on the screen in CINTAX. If your Form 1099-G says "Statement of Tax Overpayment" at the top and Form 1099-G in the upper right hand corner, report the amount in the box entitled "Amount reported to the IRS" in CINTAX box 2 (State and local tax refunds, credits or offsets). Enter "0" in CINTAX box 4 (federal income tax withheld). Do not enter the Payer's EIN number because we have removed this box and it is not needed.
We appreciate that CINTAX addressed this problem so promptly.
7. Income Tax Information: Filling Out and Mailing Your Income Tax Forms
Some very good questions were asked and answered during and after the Friday, February 24 income tax workshop. This information applies to F and J students who are non-residents for tax purposes (those who entered the United States in F or J status in calendar year 2001 or later).
Use CINTAX to fill out and print your federal income tax forms. If you have not yet obtained a CINTAX password, go to: http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/cintax.htm
If you would like to print your New York State tax forms on the computer rather than handwrite them, the New York State Tax Department provides “fillable forms” on-line that you can then print from your computer. Here are the links (all are pdf files and require a pdf reader such as Adobe Acrobat):
Form IT-203: http://www.tax.state.ny.us/pdf/2005/fillin/inc/it203_2005_fill_in.pdf
Form IT-2: http://www.tax.state.ny.us/pdf/2005/fillin/inc/it2_2005_fill_in.pdf
Form IT-203B: http://www.tax.state.ny.us/pdf/2005/fillin/inc/it203b_2005_fill_in.pdf
While you won't be able to save the information you put on the form, you can print them.
Attend an income tax workshop for instructions on how to complete these forms.
Be sure to sign both your federal and state income tax returns BEFORE mailing them, and be sure to make keep a copy for your records. For information on assembling and mailing your income tax forms, see: http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/taxaddress.html
8. Income Tax Information: Correction to Instruction on Entering Spouse Information on New York State Form IT-203
During Friday's Income Tax Workshop, Ellen Badger provided an instruction for entering the spouse's name and social security number on New York State IT-203 if a student is married. The instruction was to write the phrase “Applied For” in the space where a spouse social security number is requested, if your spouse does not have a U.S. social security number.
New York State has now updated that instruction, and prefers that those filing IT-203 forms who are married write “NRA” in the space for a spouse social security number, rather than "applied for." “NRA” stands for “non-resident alien.” Students who attended Friday's workshop, wrote “applied for” on the IT-203 form for their spouse, and then mailed in the form need not worry about there being any problem with the form, but for those still working on their New York State tax forms, the correct instruction is to write “NRA.”
9. Income Tax Information: How to Request a Copy of a Previous Year's Income Tax Return
When you file an income tax form as a non-resident or as a resident, you are required to keep copies of the forms, and attachments. The ISSS has been asked several times for help if a student has somehow lost or misplaced a previous year's income tax forms.
Both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the New York State tax department provide separate instructions on how to obtain a copy of an income tax forms.
To request a copy of a previous year's federal income tax form, follow the instructions at the following web link: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/faqs/faq1-6.html
To request a copy of a previous year's New York State tax return, print the form at the following web link and follow the instructions on the form:
http://www.tax.state.ny.us/pdf/2005/fillin/misc/tr152_505_fill_in.pdf
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