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Please read this entire message carefully. There is information about upcoming tax sessions.
First, tax forms are only required from those non-immigrants who were in the United States at any point during the year 2009. If you are a new student, scholar or employee who arrived in the U.S. after Jan. 1, 2010, you do not need to do this.
Second, “do it yourself” tax software programs like Turbo Tax seem easy and are very popular. However, they are inappropriate for the majority of VCU’s international population. Only the following non-immigrant visa holders are eligible to complete the regular form 1040 either manually or with Turbo Tax or other tax software programs.
- H-1Bs who have been in the U.S. during the tax year (2009) for more than 183 days are considered U.S. residents for tax purposes. In this case they can use Turbo Tax-like software and complete and submit the regular 1040.
- Once a J-1 research scholar or professor has been in the U.S. for more than two years or an F-1 or J-1 student has been in the U.S. for more than five years, he or she is considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes and must submit the regular 1040.
Third, all other non-immigrants who were in the U.S. during the year 2009 for at least six months must complete the 8843 form. You must do this regardless of whether you earned money or not. Therefore, if you were in the U.S. for at least six months during 2009 and did not earn money, you must complete the 8843. If you were in the U.S. for at least six months and did earn money, you must complete a version of the 1040NR form and the 8843 unless you meet the requirements listed below. You can find the fill-in 8843 form at the following link www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8843.pdf.
Fourth, if you are required to submit a federal income tax form 1040, 1040NR, 1040NR-EZ etc., then you are required to submit a Virginia state income tax form (more information below).
The dates and times for the one-on-one tax question and answer sessions are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on:
- Saturday, March 27, 2010
- Saturday, April 3, 2010
- Saturday, April 10, 2010
They will be held in Snead Hall, 301 W. Main St. in room B1212. You do not need to reserve a seat. You will be assisted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Be prepared to wait if necessary.
To ensure a quick appointment, please have your forms (listed below) with you, including any W-2s or additional tax forms indicating income, withholding etc.
Complete as much of the general information on the tax forms (using a pencil) as possible. This includes your name, Social Security number, etc. When you come to something you don’t understand, take a note of it. Have specific questions ready when you arrive.
U.S. Federal income tax forms
Form 1040NR
If you were in the U.S. during the year 2009 and you earned any money for which you have received a W-2 form, you must complete a version of the 1040NR form. There are two types of 1040NR forms. Please re-read the information in the point above to determine if you are eligible to submit the 1040, rather than the 1040NR. If those conditions do not apply to you, please read the information below carefully to determine which form is appropriate for you.
If you are from Canada, India, Japan, Mexico or South Korea and have dependents in the U.S., you are eligible to claim dependents and will need to complete the 1040NR. No one else can claim dependents while in non-resident status. However, your family members here in the U.S. should file Form 8843.
Anyone from any country who has made contributions to U.S. charities during 2009 can claim those deductions by filing the 1040NR.
Online 1040NR form [PDF]
If you are not from Canada, India, Japan, Mexico or South Korea you are ineligible to claim dependents and you must complete the 1040NR-EZ. However, your family members here in the U.S. should file form 8843.
Online 1040NR-EZ form [PDF]
Virginia Department of Taxation income tax forms
If you have only lived in Virginia during the tax year in question (2009) you should complete the Form 760 [PDF].
If you have lived in more than one U.S. state during the tax year in question, you will need to complete the 760PY [PDF].
For more information contact:
Ingrid Mercer
Director, Immigration Services
Office of International Education
Phone: 804-828-0595
E-mail: iamercer@vcu.edu
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