Spring 2002!
It's tax season again, and Clar Nunis will try to help a little with tax workshops for folks who have student visas or visiting professor/researcher visas
(F, J, M or Q)
More workshops may be added - e-mail : [email protected] for details.
To attend Clar's Tax Workshops for NonResident Alien Students and Visiting Professors & Researchers:
1. You must have been in the U. S. for LESS THAN 5 years in your ENTIRE LIFETIME. This includes partial years. Therefore, if you were in the U.S. for even one week in any given year, that would count as ONE year. If you have been in the U.S. for more than 5 years (partial or whole years), you are eligible to file a REGULAR U.S. tax return, such as the 1040EZ and the 1040A. *
2. You must have been in F, J, M or Q visa status for the 2001 calendar year (Jan. - Dec.) If you changed visa types during the year, you must have been in F, J, M or Q visa status for at least 184 days in 2001.
3. You cannot claim dependents. Clar's workshops ONLY cover the 1040NREZ, and there is NO ALLOWANCE for dependents on that form. Usually, Non-Residents for Tax Purposes can NOT claim dependents at all; when there is an exception, the dependents would be listed on the 1040NR (long form).
4. You must not have any dividends, real estate profits, stock trading, capital gains or any investment income other than simple interest from a savings account, checking account or CD (certificate of deposit). Investment income cannot be reported on the 1040NREZ.
Common Questions:
Q. I didn't make any money last year, do I still need to file?
A. The government has asked ALL F-1 and F-2 and J-1 and J-2 visa holders to file form 8843, even if they did not have any income.
Q. I've been here longer than 5 partial or whole years. What do I do?
A. You would probably be eligible for filing the REGULAR U.S. tax return, the 1040EZ, or 1040A. Check with VITA volunteers at the Memphis Public Library for
FREE TAX HELP.
Q. I had a friend who had a cousin at another school who claimed F-2 dependents and a tax treaty and dividends, all on the 1040 NREZ, and he's been here 67 years and he filed as a Non Resident and it worked for him. Why can't I do the same?
A. Our information is based on the most recent official data from the U.S. government. We only teach information available in official I.R.S. publications. We are not responsible for odd cases not covered in these official books.
Q. Will you come to other schools to help with the 1040NREZ? How much do you charge for tax help?
A. I will come to schools, just schedule a time for me to show up. Because the IRS training I took requires me to volunteer, there is NO FEE AT ALL for my tax help.
e-mail: [email protected]
April 1 - 5
U of M Campus
Monday, April 1, 3:00 pm UC 405
Tuesday, April 2, 11:00 am UC 3rd Floor
Wednesday, April 3, 11:00 am UC 3rd Floor
Friday, April 5, 2:00 pm UC 3rd Floor
Friday, April 5, 4:00 pm UC 3rd Floor
ALSO:
Wednesday, April 3, 3:00 pm UT (downtown)
Thursday, April 4, 11:30am MCA
Thursday, April 4, 3:30 pm CBU
These workshops are for the 1040 NR EZ ONLY!!
(see below)
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* FREE Help for REGULAR TAX RETURNS is available at most Memphis Public Libraries, through the VITA program. Call 415 - 2700 to ask for the times that the VITA volunteers will be available to help with returns.
* The 1040 NR is the LONG FORM for Non-Resident Alien taxes, and too detailed and long to be covered in a workshop environment.
E-mail [email protected] for a list of tips on preparing your own 1040NR.
SORRY! We do not have enough volunteers this year to give workshops or individual help sessions for 1040NR (long form) preparation.
Do you know someone who would like to get FREE training and become a Tax Volunteer?
Contact the VITA coordinator for Memphis:
22 North Front Street, Suite 400,
Memphis, TN 38103
That office will NOT prepare any tax returns, but will schedule you for training classes for next year.