PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING FILING YOUR INCOME TAX RETURN FOR 2016

Dear International Student,

I would just like to take a moment of your time to remind you that it is “Income Tax” time again. As you know it is time to file your income tax return forms with the U.S. government if you were present in the U.S. at any time during the year of 2016 All F-1 and J-1 students and exchange visitors are required to file a tax return whether you earned income or not!

As in the past, the International Center has purchased a software license to a tax program called GLACIER to help you file your return. GLACIER is a specialty program that is directly targeted to international students and scholars who are NOT classified as U.S. “Residents” and will produce the necessary forms required by the U.S. government. For a modest fee of $5, the Center will provide you with access to this on-line software. If you wish to use this software, please stop by the Center and secure a pin number to the software and directions.

In addition, we are aware that in the past some international students have used income tax software from “TurboTax,” “TaxAct” or other tax preparation software to prepare their tax returns. Please be advised, that to the best of our knowledge, “TurboTax”, “TaxAct” and other similar software can only generate return forms for international students who qualify for “resident” status. “Resident” status generally requires that you have been present in the U.S. for over 5 years. “TurboTax” and similar software are not designed to do the typical income tax returns for students on F-1 or J-1 visas who have been in the U.S. less than 5 years. We also wish to caution using companies various tax consulting/preparation companies. While they offer reputable and reliable services, we have seen a number of instances in which they have used the wrong tax forms for our students.

Please be aware that if you use the wrong IRS forms and receive a payment from the IRS to which you are not entitled to, you may very well be required to return the money and also potentially be subjected to other penalties including fines.

While I understand that many may find filing their tax returns to be a nuisance or something that can be ignored, it is in fact, a requirement under U.S. law. Failure to file a return can not only subject you to fines by the IRS, but may very well affect your future F-1 or J-1 status in the U.S.

While the International Center can assist with many of your questions regarding tax laws, treaties and filing tax returns, we will not prepare your tax return, submit the return, act as your tax advisor or consultant or assume any liability regarding the preparation or submission of your tax return. If you have questions regarding this e-mail, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Again, if you wish to use our GLACIER software, please stop by the Center anytime.

Please remember, you must file Tax return document with the US government even if you did not earn any income in 2016

APRIL 18, 2017 Deadline to submit your tax return if you have earned income or ascholarship during 2016.

Best regards,

Richard Lazzerini