Wednesday, February 20, 2013


Announcements for the week of February 18 to 22
 IT'S TAX TIME!

It's that time again - TAX TIME! Please read the following very carefully and review the attachments.  All tax forms should be submitted by APRIL 15, 2013. 
FORM 8843 - IT'S REQUIRED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE . . .

 . . . If you or your dependent was physically present in the U.S. any day in the year 2012!

-      Even if you DID NOT WORK in the US during 2012 you must complete and submit this form, if you hold an F1, F2, J1, or J2 student or scholar visa.

-      If you DID work during 2012 but earned less than $ 3,800 in taxable income or scholarships, you need to complete and submit this form.

-      The form 8843 is attached to this note, along with instructions.

IN ADDITION TO FORM 8843 YOU MAY NEED TO SUBMIT A TAX RETURN . . .

 . . . If you or your dependent earned more than $ 3,800 or you otherwise have tax liability, you will need to complete and submit other federal and state tax forms!  Even if you made less than $ 3,800 you will want to complete and submit a tax return if tax was withheld from your pay, in order to get a refund of the tax that was withheld.

-      FREE TAX HELP AVAILABLE!The International Student and Scholar Office and the College of Business Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Honor Society will collaborate once again to offer FREE tax assistance to the UAHuntsville students and community who received more than $ 3,800 in income or scholarships and likely have a tax liability.  

-      The UAH tax assistance program (VITA) provides FREE ASSISTANCE to complete the CORRECT 2012 tax forms. F and J students should in general, not complete tax forms using "TURBO TAX" like software advertised for U.S. Citizen Taxpayers who complete a 1040 form.

-      2013 TAX HELP DATES
  (Appointments available at 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00 noon and  
  1:00 pm only)

Saturday, March 2
Saturday, March 9
Saturday, March 16
Saturday, March 23
Saturday, April 6
Saturday, April 13

-      TO SIGN UP FOR TAX HELP, email tax@uah.edu  -- include your full name, your contact phone number, and the date and time you'd like to schedule your appointment. You must attach your COMPLETED FORM 8843 to the email so we can determine your tax residency status PRIOR to the scheduled tax appointment.

-      BRING THE FOLLOWING TO YOUR TAX HELP APPOINTMENT:
  • Copies of ALL federal and state tax forms filed in previous tax years
  • I-20 or DS-2019, I-94 card and passport (bring all passports used to enter the U.S.)
  • Current W-2 (statement of income) as well as evidence of SCHOLARSHIPS (Remember all UAHuntsville employees can download their W-2 from their BANNER account under the EMPLOYEE tab)
  • A blank check, or evidence of your bank routing number & account number.

-      IN ADDITION BRING TO YOUR TAX HELP APPOINTMENT . . .
     . . .  if any of the documents below were mailed to you, bring them
     to the tax appointment:
  • 1042-S (statement of treaty benefit, scholarship, or fellowship)
  • 1099-G (the state tax refund statement for the prior year)
  • 1099-MISC (miscellaneous income)
  • 1099-INT (statement of simple bank interest on a savings account)
  • 1099-DIV (statement of dividends and distributions)
  • 1098-T (statement of tuition paid) This form is not required for non-resident tax filing
 
Many students ask how to get involved on campus; please click the link to see all registered student organizations on campus by organization type (or copy and paste it into your web browser)
 
Off campus employment workshop dates announced with sign up link below

For those of you completing all degree requirements this spring, May 4 2013 will be your completion date. 
If you would like to start your post-completion OPT application advisors suggest doing so around February 2013 since processing can take between 30-90 days before you will get your EAD card from Immigration.  You have between February 3 2013 (Immigration allows students to send completed post completion OPT applications 90 days before their expected completion date) and 60 days after you complete your degree requirements 05/04/2013 to send a complete OPT application if you will be applying for the OPT benefit. OPT is OPTIONAL and not mandatory but is one option students have after completing a degree.

Immigration must receive a completed application and issue you are receipt by the end of your grace period so the latest you should send an application is 06/20/2013
 (if you are completing all degree requirements in December and plan to apply for OPT).

Regardless of when you apply for post completion OPT you can request a start date in this time period: May 6 2013 to July 3 2013.  Please see an advisor during walk-ins if you have any questions and refer to our website materials:

If you would like to attend please sign up here. Copy and paste the link into your browser. There are only 4 workshops announced for this semester; you should sign up as soon as possible - 3 remaining workshops for spring 2013 and next workshop is this Wednesday!
SGA Spring Break Trip announced

Tickets are on sale Monday to Wednesday this week in SGA Office (UC 200)


Thank you and have a wonderful week!
Mona, Sabrina, Susan, and Reva
International Student and Scholar Office

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