Announcements for the week of March 11-17
A note from Janet Coffey; our new international student and scholar advisor!
I'm happy to be returning to the Office of International Engagement to assist you with your immigration advising questions while Mona is on maternity leave. I previously served as an International Student Advisor here at UAHuntsville from 2003-2006 so I am familiar with university policies and immigration regulations and procedures. I'm looking forward to getting to know each of you during the next few months.
Come by and say hello and help us welcome Janet to the office!
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 in BAB 120 (College of Business, Business Administration Building)
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 they 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
Spring Break is March 25-29. University Offices will be closed on Friday March 29.
Travel Signature for Spring Break Travel Outside of the United States
Please note all students leaving the United States at any time must have a travel signature on the SEVIS I-20 form to enter the US (as well as a passport, F-1 visa, and enrollment verification letter from Charger Central). Advisors request at least 2 weeks advance notice to ensure the I-20 is signed on time; please drop off your most recent I-20 with a request form completed with travel info: dates, place, expiration (visa/passport). Once advisors sign off on the I-20 we will call the telephone number provided or email the UAH email address on file.
Though the signatures are technically good for 365 days from the date signed, Advisors recommend students to get a new travel signature each semester. Not having a travel signature will cause problems and possibly denial at the port of entry.
Spring break trip with InFocus (click to enlarge) - REGISTRATION EXTENDED!
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
If you are completing all degree requirements this Spring and would like to apply for post-completion OPT, advisors suggest doing so as soon as possible as processing takes between 30-90 days before you will get your EAD card from Immigration.
IMPORTANT DATES
Window to submit application for OPT to Immigration: February 3 2013-June 20, 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.
University completion Date for Spring 2013: May 4, 2013
Last Date to submit application for OPT to ISSO: June 20, 2013 (do not wait this long)
Range of dates you can choose for employment start date: May 6, 2013-July 2, 2013
Please see an advisor during walk-in hours if you have any questions and refer to our website materials:
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to assist with the Maslenitsa Russian/East-European Pancake Festival (see below). If you are able to help, please contact Dr. Belinda Ong in the Library at (256) 824-6432 or ongb@uah.edu
Thank you and have a wonderful week!
Mona, Janet, Sabrina, Susan, and Reva
International Student and Scholar Office
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