Question about not filing tax returns for a part of the previous 5 years

[kris_hetfield 11]

Hi everyone,

As you all know, this question is asked of the applicant in the n-400. For the first 4 years of the 5 year period, I was either enrolled in college or unemployed and received support from my parents during this time. And I wasn't listed as a dependent on their tax return as I was 21 and over. However, I did get a job during 2015 in which I earned an income and filed my return.

When I filled the n-400, I included this information and wanted to know what documents I might want to take with me to the interview. I will of course take my 2015 IRS Transcript. But I'm not sure what I should do for the previous 4 years. Would appreciate any advice on this issue.

Thanks

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

I think there's nothing else left for you to take with you.

But let me ask, you were in college so how did you support yourself? Did you get grant or scholarship? If you got any of those then you should have filed taxes. Especially if you got a financial aid refund (it is counted as an income).

I don't know if that will have a repercussions on your citizenship application but you should talk to a tax professional.

[kris_hetfield 11]

I think there's nothing else left for you to take with you.

But let me ask, you were in college so how did you support yourself? Did you get grant or scholarship? If you got any of those then you should have filed taxes. Especially if you got a financial aid refund (it is counted as an income).

I don't know if that will have a repercussions on your citizenship application but you should talk to a tax professional.

I was supported by grants and student loans. From what I remember, grants which are used to towards housing, travel, food and any non-academic expenses are considered taxable income. However my grants were only for academic-expenses and the other expenses were taken care of through loans and family support, which aren't considered taxable income.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

I was supported by grants and student loans. From what I remember, grants which are used to towards housing, travel, food and any non-academic expenses are considered taxable income. However my grants were only for academic-expenses and the other expenses were taken care of through loans and family support, which aren't considered taxable income.

That's not how it works.

Your food and housing are your bills so they are taxable. Your food and housing were not condition for admission.

Educational expenses is very particular about what counts and what doesn't.

I had to research this in college. I had to include all the refunds and all of the university student fees as my income.. Not all fees paid to your school are even covered. Like I said before, talk to a tax professional. If your parents weren't claiming you then you should have filed.

[kris_hetfield 11]

That's not how it works.

Your food and housing are your bills so they are taxable. Your food and housing were not condition for admission.

Educational expenses is very particular about what counts and what doesn't.

I had to research this in college. I had to include all the refunds and all of the university student fees as my income.. Not all fees paid to your school are even covered. Like I said before, talk to a tax professional. If your parents weren't claiming you then you should have filed.

I will speak to one then. Thanks for the suggestion. But why would you have to list your uni student fees and financial aid refund (was this refund from a loan?) as income? I ask because student loans generally have to be paid back and aren't considered an income unless you are forgiven. Typically they factor in for interest deductions. Same case with grants unless they're used for non-educational expenses.

Edited March 18, 2016 by kris_hetfield

[kris_hetfield 11]

I will speak to one then. Thanks for the suggestion. But why would you have to list your uni student fees and financial aid refund (was this refund from a loan?) as income? I ask because student loans generally have to be paid back and aren't considered an income unless you are forgiven. Typically they factor in for interest deductions. Same case with grants unless they're used for non-educational expenses.

even if the loans were used for food, travel and housing, you still pay that money back over time. So still doesn't seem to qualify as income.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

I will speak to one then. Thanks for the suggestion. But why would you have to list your uni student fees and financial aid refund (was this refund from a loan?) as income? I ask because student loans generally have to be paid back and aren't considered an income unless you are eligible for interest deductions. Same case with grants unless they're used for non-educational expenses.

Any refund given to you unless it was for buying required course materials, they are taxable.

The loan money given to the school is not taxable but the remainder that was given to you is taxable.

Use will need your form 1098-T from your school. it will show what was actually paid to the school. Any money you got back is basically taxable.

For instance, You would have paid for rent whether you were in school or not . Likewise food. That's why those are taxable.

I don't know if that will come up in your interview but get that straighten out, you have been under the radar but irs could come for you at anytime.

[kris_hetfield 11]

Any refund given to you unless it was for buying required course materials, they are taxable.

The loan money given to the school is not taxable but the remainder that was given to you is taxable.

Use will need your form 1098-T from your school. it will show what was actually paid to the school. Any money you got back is basically taxable.

For instance, You would have paid for rent whether you were in school or not . Likewise food. That's why those are taxable.

I don't know if that will come up in your interview but get that straighten out, you have been under the radar but irs could come for you at anytime.

Spoke to a professional today. There aren't any issues with my situation.