Once again, the ISSS has purchased a license with GLACIER Tax Prep (formerly CINTAX) to allow BU international students, alumni, scholars and faculty to use GLACIER Tax Prep to compute and print the federal income tax forms. GLACIER Tax Prep is a web-based tax preparation system designed exclusively for international students, scholars and faculty who file forms 1040NR or 1040NR EZ as non-residents for tax purposes. For information on GLACIER Tax Prep click here: http://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/taxes/glacier.html
GLACIER Tax Prep is designed to prepare and produce only federal non-resident forms. GLACIER Tax Prep does not complete state income tax forms. Other options include viewing an ISSS-sponsored income tax webcast as noted below, or using a qualified volunteer or professional tax preparation preparer.
Income Tax webcasts may be viewed 24/7 at the following link :http://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/taxes/webworkshp.html
These workshops are for F and J students who have been in the U.S. in F or J status for five years or less (2007 or later).
With the availability of GLACIER Tax Prep, the focus of the webcasts will emphasize how to file New York State tax forms. The webcasts will not address filing federal income tax forms, except as a general overview and for form 8843. If you plan to view one of the New York State income tax webcasts, it's important for you to have already filled out your federal income tax forms using GLACIER Tax Prep, and then view the webcast with a copy of your completed federal forms with you.
The deadline for filing your income tax returns is April 17, 2012.
OTHER RESOURCES:
• IN-PERSON ASSISTANCE WITH NON-RESIDENT TAX FORMS:
Available beginning March 20, 2012 through April 12, 2012, sponsored by the ISSS. For more information and a schedule, go to: http://www2.binghamton.edu/isss/taxes/inperstaxassis.html
FOR ASSISTANCE WITH FEDERAL NON-RESIDENT TAX FORMS:
Call the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-215-516-2000 (this is not a free call, available 6am to 2am Eastern Time Monday-Friday). You may also send an e-mail message with your income tax question to the IRS. Go to http://www.irs.gov/help/page/0,,id=133197,00.html and scroll down to the e-mail message box. Be sure to check the “Aliens and U.S. Citizens Living Abroad” Category before sending your message.
FOR ASSISTANCE WITH FEDERAL RESIDENT TAX FORMS:
Call the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-829-1040 (free call)
Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Or, visit their website, http://www.irs.gov/help/page/0,,id=120294,00.html
Additional help is available by calling New York State Tax at
1-800-225-5829 (free call) or 518-485-6800 (outside the U.S. and Canada)
Assistance is available from 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday. Or, visit their website,http://www.nystax.gov
Free assistance with resident tax forms only is offered through the VITA volunteer program of AARP at the Broome County Public Library, 185 Court Street in downtown Binghamton. The hours are: (by appointment only) Monday – Saturday (closed Sundays) from 10am to 2pm. To request an appointment, call 211 or (800) 901-2180 from 8:30am to 4:00pm. There is also assistance available at the Oakdale Mall, near Ruby Tuesday's Restaurant. These are walk-in hours from 10am to 2pm on Tuesdays - Fridays. After March 16, the days will be Tuesdays-Thursdays. The volunteers at the Broome County Library and at the Oakdale Mall are NOT trained to assist with non-resident tax matters, nor are they trained on such issues as tax treaties.
Visit the self-help tax web site of the University of Texas at Austin International Office:http://www.utexas.edu/international/taxes/ The site contains step-by-step instructions and examples of the required forms.
Contact a tax preparation service, professional tax accountant, or tax attorney. Be sure that whomever you visit is knowledgeable about non-resident tax laws. (Note that a fee will be charged by anyone hired to prepare your tax forms.)
International Student & Scholar Services Staff are neither qualified nor permitted to give individual tax advice. Tax assistance is available at:
