ISSS-BU News . 10 March 2008. 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
Visit ISSS on the Web! http://isss.binghamton.edu
Editor’s Note: Did you remember to set your clocks one hour ahead before you went to sleep on Saturday night? Sunday began “Daylight Savings Time” where we will enjoy an additional one hour of daylight each day.
Students who are using the volunteer in-person income tax assistance services of Mr. Jim Rollo for their non-resident income tax forms are reporting that the assistance is very helpful. Please be sure you have already obtained your CINTAX access code, and have created your user id and password in CINTAX, before visiting Mr. Rollo. For full information on Mr. Rollo’s availability, visit:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/inperstaxassis.html
Today’s issue contains many useful articles. Please scroll the Contents for articles of interest to you.
CONTENTS:
1. Last Call for Grant-in-Aid Applications: Deadline is March 12
Each semester, awards of up to $500 are made to a small number of international students who have a severe financial need. To be eligible, students must be in F-1 or J-1 status, have been in attendance at Binghamton University at least one year (began their studies at Binghamton in Spring 2007 or earlier), document need, have no outstanding obligations to the university, and be
full-time students in good standing.
Some students may find themselves in financial difficulty through no fault of their own. Examples can include reduced support from a sponsor, or unanticipated expenses. Applicants are strongly advised to carefully document their financial situation when submitting the application form, as there are always more students seeking assistance than there are funds.
Applications are available now in the International Student and Scholar Services Office and must be submitted no later than Wednesday, March 12, 2008.
2. New Early Registration Process Announced; Fall 2008 Course Schedule Available as of Monday, March 10
A new student registration system is being launched this month for Fall 2008 Early Registration. The new system will be accessed through a web portal called “BU Brain.” This new system will be ready for use starting Monday, March 10. Go to http://banner.binghamton.edu/students/ for important information about BU Brain and for log in instructions. The system can be accessed at http://bubrain.binghamton.edu/
The Schedule of Classes for Fall 2008 will be available via the BU Brain beginning March 10. The online schedule is the most up to date and accurate source of course information and is the only published version of the Schedule of Classes.
Early Registration will run from March 19 through May 9.
Please also read the Registrar’s announcement at http://registrar.binghamton.edu/newinfo.html#regdates
3. Important Notice From Student Accounts Regarding Fall 2008 Early Registration
All outstanding debts to the University must be paid or cleared at least 24 hours prior to your fall 2008 early registration time. Please do not wait until the last minute to resolve any outstanding debts in order to ensure that you will be able to register at your priority time. You can view and/or pay any debts by visiting the busi web center at http://busi.binghamton.edu and select “Quick Pay Student Payment.”
4. Construction Project to Affect Parking Beginning March 10
Beginning Monday, March 10, the contractor will begin installing fencing around the construction site for the first building in Newing College. Vehicles parked in Lots S-1, S-2 and portions of Lots S-3 and -S5 must be moved by 11 p.m. Sunday, March 9. Vehicles may park in Lot S-4 and designated areas of Lots S-3 and S-5. Any vehicle not moved, will be towed. A staging map and additional information is available at http://facilities.binghamton.edu/consnews.htm
Questions may be directed to Physical Facilities project coordinator Hily Delancy at 607-777-5481 or mailto:hdelancy@binghamton.edu
5. Find Your Job or Internship! Virtual Career Fair for International Students
Many international students studying in the United States find the search for jobs and internships to be challenging. The Career Development Center is pleased to announce that Binghamton University international students now have the opportunity to connect with interested employers through a virtual career fair just for international students.
Sponsored by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the International Students Virtual Career Fair is FREE and open to international students at Binghamton University who:
The fair runs through May 16. Through the fair, you’ll have access to interested employers and their full-time, internship, and co-op opportunities.
REGISTER TODAY!
Go to http://asp.symplicity.com/nacelinkvcf/ and click on “Candidate Registration” and follow instructions!
Remember that if you are a F-1 or J-1 student, all internships and other forms of off-campus employment must be authorized before employment can commence. If you have questions, please contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services isss@binghamton.edu
The Asian and Asian American Studies Program is seeking a graduate student to teach Elementary Hindi I in the Fall 2008 semester. Applicants must show evidence of teaching expertise in their area of study or in other teaching venues.
Experience teaching Hindi would be very beneficial but is not required. Interested applicants should send a c. v. (curriculum vitae or resume), related teaching materials and two letters of reference to: Fran Goldman, PhD, Assistant to Director, AAASP, Binghamton University (frances@binghamton.edu) no later than Friday, March 14, 2008.
7. OCC Undergraduate Summer Internship Advising Sessions Next Week
Attention undergraduates: have you acquired some professional experience in the field of your choice? How marketable are you?
Use your time this summer to build your professional network, enhance your resume and gain valuable professional experience! Come to an OCC advising session to learn how to obtain a credit-bearing internship this summer:
Monday, March 17 at 5:00pm in University Union Room 133
Tuesday, March 18 at 5:00pm in University Union West Room 324
Wednesday, April 2 at 5:00pm in University Union Room 133
APPLICATION DUE : MAY 2, 2008 (FRIDAY)
All OCC internships are for credit only. International students in F-1 or J-1 status are reminded to check with the ISSS regarding approval for all off-campus internships.
For further information on the internships, or if you cannot attend any of the advising sessions please contact OCC at 607-777-4273 or http://occ.binghamton.edu
8. Summer Student Hiring By Physical Facilities
Physical Facilities is now accepting applications for potential job openings in for the Summer Student Hiring Program and will continue to accept applications through May 31. Students who have worked for Physical Facilities at Binghamton University in the past are encouraged to apply by March 31. Please note that these positions involve physical labor, including painting, furniture removal, etc.
For more information regarding the program, instructions and/or to complete the application process, visit http://binghamton.interviewexchange.com. Questions regarding this program should be emailed to Maria Roberts, Human Resource Specialist at mroberts@binghamton.edu. More information about the positions is also available on the Physical Facilities website http://facilities.binghamton.edu/
9. New On-Line Advising Service for Students From Hong Kong and China
EducationUSA advising in Hong Kong will be introducing online advising through MSN Instant Messenger this month in March. Advising students in Hong Kong and China, and Chinese students from abroad is easier than ever. Knowledgeable advisers will be available online to assist current and prospective international students with any matters relating to U.S. colleges and universities, the application process, the admission requirements, U.S. student visas and many more from Monday to Friday, 10am – 6pm (Hong Kong time).
Students are encouraged to learn more about this new online advising service and have them add the service to their msn contact list and start messaging the advisers!
To add the service, use their MSN Live email: EducationUSA_HK@live.com
To learn more about EducationUSA visit: http://www.EducationUSA.state.gov10. Income Tax Information: Who’s Using CINTAX?
More than 550 current BU international students and BU international alumni are using CINTAX for the filing of their federal tax returns. This is the third year that CINTAX is available for BU student use, thanks to a license purchased by International Students and Scholar Services.
What do you think of CINTAX? Let us know by sending your comments to isss@binghamton.edu
11. Income Tax Information: Common Mistakes When Reporting Income
There are some common mistakes that international students frequently make on income tax forms. Here are a few of them.
Mistake 1: Attempting to e-file (electronically file) the federal income tax return.
Non residents for tax purposes (F and J students who have been in that status in the United States for five or fewer years, 2003 or later) and J scholars/faculty who have been in that status in the United States for two or fewer years, 2006 or later) are non-residents for tax purposes and must file non-resident income tax forms. Currently, the federal non-resident forms, 8843, 1040NR and 1040NR EZ, cannot be filed electronically. If you have used an e-filer for your federal income tax returns, and you are a non-resident, you have filed the wrong forms and will need to file an amended income tax return. If you use CINTAX, this mistake will not be made.
Mistake 2: Filing Your Income Tax Forms Too Soon.
Do not file your income tax forms too soon! Before you file, make sure you have a unique W-2 Wage and Tax Statement from each employer for whom you worked in 2007. If you have not received a W-2 form from each of your 2007 employers, it is your responsibility to contact the employer and request one.
If you can exempt salary (wages) from tax based on a tax treaty between the United States and your country AND did the necessary tax treaty paperwork with either the State Payroll Office or the Research Foundation Payroll Office, you MUST wait until you receive form 1042-S from your employer before filing your income tax forms. If you are not certain whether you will be issued form 1042-S, check with your employer.
If you received a scholarship, such as an athletic scholarship, dissertation year fellowship, graduate school scholarship or enhancement award during calendar year 2007, you will receive form 1042-S in mid-March. If you are not certain whether you will be issued form 1042-S, check with your scholarship source.
Once you receive form 1042-S, CINTAX will help you correctly file your income tax forms.
Students from India should note that because of the unique nature of the U.S. income tax treaty with India, no form 1042-S is issued for those eligible to claim the tax treaty based on wages (salary). Therefore, unless you have a scholarship or fellowship grant as described above, you may file your income tax forms without form 1042-S.
Mistake 3: Confusing wages with scholarships/fellowships.
All wages are reported on form W-2, and should be indicated on line 3 of form 1040NR EZ. All scholarships are generally reported on a form 1042-S, and if coded as a scholarship (code 15 on the 1042-S) is indicated on line 5 of form 1040NR EZ. If you think you have a scholarship, but the earnings were reported on a form W-2, it is NOT a scholarship, and must be reported on line 3 of form 1040NR EZ. If you use CINTAX, this mistake will not be made.
Mistake 4: Putting the wrong amount on line 11 of form 1040NR EZ.
Only state or local income tax withheld can be reported on line 11 of form 1040NR EZ. DO NOT list federal income tax withheld on this line, only state and local tax (found on box 17 and box 19 of form W-2 and also on form 1042-S). Students from India eligible to claim the India Tax Treaty must put only the standard deduction amount on line 11. If you use CINTAX, this mistake will not be made.
Mistake 5: Including your tuition scholarship on line 5 of form 1040NR EZ
Graduate students who have received a tuition scholarship from Binghamton University should NOT enter the amount of the scholarship on line 5 of form 1040NR EZ. These tuition scholarships do not fit the IRS definition of "taxable scholarship." If you use CINTAX, this mistake will not be made.
Mistake 6: Excluding the wrong amount on line 9 of form 1040NR EZ
You can only exclude an amount on line 9 if you also had a taxable scholarship/fellowship amount on line 5. Exclusions are limited to the amount you spent on fees and books during the period you had a scholarship/fellowship. There are no exclusions for wages reported on form W-2. If you use CINTAX, this mistake will not be made.
12. Income Tax Information: For F-1 and J-1s in the U.S. for More than Five Years Who are Residents for Tax Purposes
Until now, all of ISSS-BU's income tax articles have focused on F-1 and J-1 students who are non- residents for tax purposes; those who have been in F or J status for five years or less. This information is for those F-1 and J-1 students who entered the U.S. in 2002 or earlier, or J-1 scholars who entered the U.S. in 2005 or earlier, and therefore file as residents for tax purposes.
Need assistance with your resident tax forms? There are a number of resources available to you. If your total earnings for 2007 were less than $54,000, you can file both your Federal and your New York State income tax forms for free using special income tax software. Access free e-filing at http://www.irs.gov
Free assistance with resident tax forms is offered through the VITA volunteer program at the Broome County Public Library, 185 Court Street in downtown Binghamton. The hours are: (walk-in or by appointment) Monday through Saturday, 10am to 2pm. Call 607-778-6400 to confirm these times. The library is closed on Sundays. The volunteers at the Broome County Library are NOT trained to assist with non-resident tax matters.
Resident income tax filers can also purchase income tax software such as Turbo Tax or Tax Cut, which will complete both your federal and state forms. There are also paid preparers in the local community who can assist you including H & R Block and Jackson Hewett.
If you have been in F-1 or J-1 status for more than five years, you need to file form 1040, or its shorter versions; 1040A or 1040EZ. Residents with income should also file New York State tax form IT-150 and IT-2. Residents for tax purposes must report all world-wide income, including bank interest. However, residents for tax purposes can also list spouses and children as dependents, and therefore claim a greater number of exemptions and deductions.
In addition to the personal exemption of $3400, residents for tax purposes can also claim the standard deduction, which for a single person is $5350 for tax year 2007! Residents may also claim certain tax credits, if they meet the eligibility requirements. These credits include child care, earned income, and education credits. Graduate students who are eligible to file as residents for tax purposes may be especially interested in the lifelong learning education credit.
For more information on education credits, obtain IRS publication 970 "Tax Benefits for Higher Education." It can be found on the World Wide Web at the IRS Forms and Publications site; http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf
Remember that these benefits are only available to F-1 and J-1 students who have been in the U.S. in those statuses for MORE than five years.
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