Office of International Student Services Newsletter

 Volume V, Number 26

· OPT Updates

Important Information

·  Flag bearer information for students graduating in May 2008
·  April information sessions on off-campus employment
· TODAY is tax deadline

Upcoming Events

· April 18 - Deadline for Service-Learning Award
· April 19 - Mentor & GMSA Event: Brunch and Como Zoo
· April 22& 25 - OPT Update
· April 24 - War Zone
· April 26 - International Dinner

Interesting Articles

· History 1100: Soccer in Contemporary Politics and Society
· Sustainability contest announced
· Packing to go home

All students who were on an F-1 or J-1 visa in the U.S. during any part of 2007 are required to file for taxes. Even if you did not work in the US during 2007, you are still required to complete U.S. tax forms.

OISS staff and advisors are not trained to answer tax questions or give advice about which forms to file or how to fill out forms. This is a complex and ever changing field and OISS staff and advisors have no expertise and are not permitted to give tax advice of any kind.

However, OISS offered several types of programs to nonimmigrant international students to assist them with their taxes. We encourage every F-1 or J-1 international student at UST to use the internet-based tax software called CINTAX in order to file your federal tax returns.
 

CINTAX Software
We have purchased an Internet-based tax software program called CINTAX which is a U.S. Tax Form Preparation Program designed specifically for international students and scholars in F-1, J-1, F-2 and J-2 status (This software is not applicable for students in H-1, L-1, TN or TD visa status and students who are considered ‘residents’ for tax purposes).

In order to use CINTAX please e-mail OISS at oiss@stthomas.edu to request your unique password to access the FREE CINTAX program on-line from any computer with access to the internet.

The instructions on how to use the CINTAX program will be emailed to you along with your password. Please read the instructions thoroughly and make sure you have all the documents listed before you begin.

Additional Resource
The University of Minnesota is hosting Individual Tax Workshops on the following days:

Date: Every Thursday, February 14 through April 10, 2008
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: L-117 at Carlson School of Management

A group of volunteers comprised of working tax professionals, faculty, and graduate students trained in non-resident tax issues is available to help you. Volunteers will meet with international students and scholars on an individual basis to help complete 2007 tax returns. Volunteer preparers are trained to determine filing status and complete only non-resident, federal returns, as well as Minnesota state returns and property tax refund applications. Foreign nationals who are considered non-residents for tax purposes with income under $30,000 can be helped, including F, J, and some H, L visa holders.

You must have the following documents prepared or you will not be served:

• Visa/Immigration Status;

• Passport;

• Form DS-2019, if J status individual;

• Form I-20, if F status individual;

• Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number;

• U.S. Entry and Exit Dates for current and past visits to the U.S.;

• Academic Institution or Host Sponsor Information (name/address/phone for Academic Director);

• Forms W-2, 1042-S and/or 1099 (if any);
  Scholarship/fellowship grant letter you may have received (if any);

• A copy of your 2006 federal income tax return (Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ)

• Certificate of rent paid in 2007, for Minnesota property tax refund consideration.