Consequences of Not Filing Tax Forms
(For Tax Year 2007)
The following information is designed by the office of International
Student and Scholar Services at Binghamton University for international
students in F-1 or J-1 status who have been in the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status
for 5 years or less years (2003 or later) and are therefore eligible to
file as non-residents for tax purposes. We hope you find this information
helpful.
The material contained in this message comes from Internal Revenue Service
publications, discussions with IRS staff, and other income tax publications
and materials.
ISSS staff are sometimes asked what can happen if an F-1 or J-1 student fails to file tax forms yearly. There can be immigration consequences for failing to file tax forms. For example, applicants for a change from F-1 to H-1B (the professional worker visa) can be asked by the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Service to submit copies of previous years' income tax forms as part of their H-1B application. Applicants for permanent residency ("green cards") can be asked to show copies of tax forms filed for previous years. A person who appears at a U.S. consulate abroad for consular processing of a permanent residency visa application may be asked to produce U.S. income tax forms from their previous years in the United States.
Federal and New York State income tax forms for non-residents, and a smaller
supply of forms for those eligible to apply as residents for tax purposes,
are available in the office of International Student and Scholar Services. Information
on obtaining federal tax forms and publications is also available by phone,
fax or on the World Wide Web.
ISSS staff are neither qualified nor permitted to give individual tax advice.
Students with complicated tax situations may wish to consult with a tax preparation
service, professional tax accountant, or tax attorney who is knowledgeable
about nonresident tax law.