April 17 Tax Filing Deadline Quickly Approaching

The tax deadline is April 17 this year instead of April 15 because of a Washington D.C. holiday. Here are some tips if you haven’t filed your tax returns yet.

1.     Free e-file – The IRS offers free federal e-file through different tax software providers if your adjusted gross income was less than $57,000.You can find more information at www.freefile.irs.gov/. Although e-filing the federal tax return is free, you may be charged for e-filing your state tax return. The IRS also offers free e-file fillable forms for all income levels at https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/.

2.    File an extension – if you can’t file your federal tax return on time you can request an automatic 6 month extension using Form 4868. Your state should also have an automatic extension form. The extension does not extend the time to pay. If you expect to owe money, you should make a tax payment by April 17^th to avoid penalties and interest. If you expect a tax refund and cannot file by April 17, you do not need to file an extension.

3.    Filing Date – is the post mark date. So if you are paper filing or need to mail in a payment, you should drop it off at the post-office before their last mail collection time on April 17.

NON-RESIDENT ALIEN

1.     Non-resident alien – has a specific definition for tax purposes. For example, if you have been in the U.S. for 6 years on F-1 visa, you are considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes and a non-immigrant (alien) for immigration purposes.

2.   E-filing is not available for Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ

3.   Many schools offer free tax software – Check with your school as many schools offer free tax software licenses from companies such as Glacier Tax Prep for completing your Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ. You will need to print out the finished return and mail it.

4.   Form 8843 – Form 8843 is an informational statement required by the U.S. government for non-resident aliens who entered the US with these visa types: F, J, M, Q. If you are a student on F-1 or J-1 visa for 5 years or less, you must file Form 8843. J-1 scholar visa holders for 2 years or less must also file Form 8843. You can file the Form 8843 with your tax return. If you are not required to file a tax return (e.g. you have no U.S. source income), you must still file Form 8843 by April 17, 2012. Even F-2 and J-2 dependents are required to file Form 8843.

5.    Check if your country has a tax treaty with the U.S. – Taiwan does not have a tax treaty; China does have a tax treaty. The tax treaty may result in reduced U.S. taxes. See IRS Publication 901 for more information.

My Law, LLC                                
Immigration & Tax Law Firm

www.mylawllc.com

Phone: (630) 903-9625

1230 E. Diehl Rd. Suite 106

Naperville, IL 60563

E-mail: attorney@mylawllc.com