F1 Announcements

Blog Summary:
-New Office Location and Request Drop Off procedures
-Asha Kiran Career Seminar
-Tax Assistance Workshops
-OPT/CPT workshops

WALK IN HOURS:
We have moved into our new office, University Center 200
upstairs. We are now available for regular walk in advising.
If you need to drop off any request/ OPT application you must
drop off during the designated Walk in Advising hours only.
Outside of walk in hours, we will not be available to take
request until we get more settled. This should be temporary.

Walk in hours:
Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday 10:00-12:00
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 1:30-4:00

ASHA KIRAN
Attached is a flyer for a seminar for international
students being organized by Asha Kiran.  Asha
Kiran is a local volunteer organization working in the
North Alabama area.  The seminar will provide international
students with information they can use to successfully
launch their careers.
Find out more about Asha Kiran
at www.ashakiran.com <http://www.ashakiran.com>.
If you have questions about the seminar, please
contact me or send e-mail to asha117@gmail.com
<mailto:asha117@gmail.com>.

Tax Assistance:
If you are an F1 student DO NOT USE TURBO TAX or
other tax software. There are differences in Resident and
Non-Resident taxes and Turbo Tax caters to Residents.
Most of you are Non-Residents. Come to the FREE tax workshops
to ensure that your taxes are filed properly.

ALL F & J STUDENTS, and their dependents, WHO WERE
PHYSICALLY PRESENT ANY DAY DURING THE YEAR 2008 MUST
COMPLETE A TAX FORM (8843). Form 8843 and step-by-step
instructions were attached to last week's email. If you
did not work or receive scholarship in 2008, the 8843 is the
ONLY form you need to complete.

Students who WORKED OR RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIP IN 2008 will
have to file additional forms. They must complete the form 8843
and other tax forms. The VITA volunteers will help these
students at the FREE workshops. The 8843 form should be
completed prior to making an individual appointment for
assistance from the Beta Alpha Psi VITA volunteers.
Individual appointments will start February 28, 2009.

Between now and February 28th, all international students
should complete the 8843 form.

Scheduling a Tax Workshop Appointment:
In order to schedule your tax appointment you will need to
email tax@uah.edu <mailto:tax@uah.edu> your full name and
student A number and the workshop date you wish to attend.
You also must attach a copy of your complete 8843 form so that it
can be reviewed by a tax volunteer. ALL workshops will be held
from 10:00am - 1:00pm in the Business Administration Building, Room 120

Workshop dates:
February 28th
March 7th
March 14th
March 28th
April 4th
April 11th

Tax filing is due to the IRS on April 15th, 2009

OPT Priority Deadline is February 9th, 2009:
If you are graduating this Spring and are interested in
applying for OPT, come to a workshop and make plans to turn in
your OPT application around the priority date if possible.
Turning in the OPT application early will give you a better
chance of receiving the EAD card by your requested OPT
start date. February 9th is the priority deadline and we
also will have an off-campus employment workshop on that
date.

Workshops will also cover CPT authorization for
Internships and Co-Ops. Make plans to attend if you are
interested in CPT work authorization.

All workshops are held in UC 131:
Wednesday February 18th 10:30-11:30
Monday February 23th 2:30-3:30
Friday March 6th 3:00-4:00
Friday April 17th 3:00-4:00
Wednesday April 29th 10:00-11:00

Email me your name and the date you want to come to
a workshop so I can put you on the list amanda.owens@uah.edu

Amanda Owens
International Student and Scholar Advisor
University of Alabama in Hunstville
256.824.2748