F-1 tax question

[lupa222 0]

I am an F-1 student and came here in 2008. All my education has been paid for by a U.S. source scholarship. I have filed tax returns for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. Now that I am in graduate school, my new school won't issue me the forms I need to file a return. Is there any chance that they might ask for my tax returns during the AOS interview?? Or should I just not worry about it since it is the school's fault for not issuing the form?

[canadian_wife 1,785]

Um, you are still required to file taxes. Why won't the school issue the form? Why can't you file tax return without it?

Good luck

[lupa222 0]

My other school issued the form 1042S (basically like a W2 for scholarships) that outlined how much of the scholarship was excluded from tax (tuition, books, fees) and how much is taxable (and also included the withheld tax). Now, at this school, they don't issue said form and even say they've never heard of it?!

If the money I received for room & board is less than the personal exemption ($3,700), I don't have to file though, right? Just the 8843.

[canadian_wife 1,785]

Being an immigrant, I'd file

Print out the form and take it to the DSO at your school or the registrar. Don't blame the school, filing taxes is your responsibility.

Good luck

[Little_My 463]

As a foreign student you have to file taxes - even if you hadn't worked or earned any taxable income.

[jaycali 415]

You still have to file. You can file taxes for multiple years back in time though. If you had no income, there shouldn't be any big sums of money waiting for you though.

[lupa222 0]

Several (school) websites I found state that if you earned less than the personal exemption, you don't have to file the 1040NR-EZ, just the 8843...

[jaycali 415]

Several (school) websites I found state that if you earned less than the personal exemption, you don't have to file the 1040NR-EZ, just the 8843...

Someone might correct me here, but I think this is more of an IRS problem than it is an immigration problem.

Meaning, I doubt you'll be denied AOS, but the IRS might be interested at some point.

[lupa222 0]

Someone might correct me here, but I think this is more of an IRS problem than it is an immigration problem.

Meaning, I doubt you'll be denied AOS, but the IRS might be interested at some point.

Yes, you are right. I have always paid taxes so far, but my scholarship (and school) has changed... and those few hundreds of dollars that I owed in the past years - don't know if the IRS would really audit my returns...

I was just wondering if anyone here was in a similar situation and if it ever came up during the AOS process? I am filing my taxes now (even though I'm barely over the personal exemption and I know for fact that the school doesn't provide any information to the IRS) just to be sure... (almost feels like running after a police officer wanting to pay a fine because I didn't stop properly at a stop sign two hours ago )

Thanks for your insights though!

[jaycali 415]

Yes, you are right. I have always paid taxes so far, but my scholarship (and school) has changed... and those few hundreds of dollars that I owed in the past years - don't know if the IRS would really audit my returns... I was just wondering if anyone here was in a similar situation and if it ever came up during the AOS process? I am filing my taxes now (even though I'm barely over the personal exemption and I know for fact that the school doesn't provide any information to the IRS) just to be sure... (almost feels like running after a police officer wanting to pay a fine because I didn't stop properly at a stop sign two hours ago )Thanks for your insights though!

Like I said, unless the IRS is actually after you, I doubt the USCIS will care too much. But if you're immigrating to the US, it's always a good idea to start off your new life on good terms with the IRS.

Also, I don't know if the USCIS and IRS actually speak the same language.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Edited April 7, 2012 by jaejayC