Hello, I am an international student looking to transfer. I am working on the CSS profile, and filling out the ‘parents income’ section. My father’s tax return states that he makes about $12k per year. However, he actually gets about $70k per year (he says that he is reporting much less to reduce taxes). I’ve got three questions.
On the tax return, it’s said that he makes $12k, but he actually makes $70k. Should I put in the actual income or the one that’s on the tax return? (Please remember that because I am a foreign student, the tax return is from another country). Also, what happens if the school finds that out (I think this is kind of likely, as we have a house worth more than $100k, (which we wrote on the CSS profile) (having a house worth $100k while earning $11k seems suspicious doesn’t it?). It is possible for me to submit the official tax return if the school asks, and on the tax return it will say that he makes $11k… so will is it going to be ok? Will schools find out my father was reporting less income? Will they report this to the US government? If I do report this to the US government, is it going to matter?(as I am not an American and my family live in another country). Will the school report this to my country?
Lastly, is it safe to post these types of questions here?
Best Regards,
If you lie and report incorrect and more favorable information on Profile and the school finds out, you will be denied any institutional financial aid. It may also impact an admissions decision; if you are admitted and then the school finds out, it may lead to you being asked to leave the school and having to return any institutional aid received.
This is your third question… it is possible for you to submit the official tax return if the school asks, and it may raise questions.
This is your fourth question. Answer: quite possibly.
This is your fifth question. Answer: why would the U.S. government care?
This is your sixth question. Answer: it might, but I can’t see why the U.S. government would have a direct interest in this matter.
This is your seventh question: Answer: maybe.
This is your eighth question. If the answer is “no,” don’t you think you should have figured that out before posting these questions?
Thank you for your response. So, you are saying that I should not write the amount written on the actual tax return? I’ve heard that once admitted, schools sometimes ask for a ‘proof’ of the information on the CSS profile, which then I would have to submit the tax return which states that my father earns $12k per year. Wouldn’t this create problems, as the money written on the CSS profile differ from what’s on the tax return?
p.s.To be honest, I want to write the actual value, as it will increase my chances of being accepted… (after all, they rarely accept international transfer students) The thing that bothers me is… if I put in the actual value and they later ask me for the proof of it, it might be considered as lying as that value is different from what’s on the tax return?
I’m in a dilemma here, as, if I write that he makes $11k, I can prove that using the tax returns, but the schools will think it’s very suspicious, and if I report that he makes $70k, then when I actually do get admitted and the school asks for proof, I would submit the tax return, and on the tax return, it would say that he earns $11k…
Are you saying that it’s only illegal if you get caught? That’s an interesting way of thinking.
If your father made $70k and you report on Profile that he made $11k, that’s a lie. Do not lie. If you get need-based financial aid from a U.S. school, it will be based in large part on your parents’ income. If you under report the income, it will likely meant that you will get more need-based financial aid than you deserved. Now not only are you lying, you are stealing.
OK I’ll talk to my father when he comes home… to @BelknapPoint I really don’t want to steal… You know, the very fact that these types financia aids are available in your country is very thankful, and I’m really thankful of the money that taxpayers in America pay for students that are not in their country…
Thank you @thumper1 for suggesting me to ask my parents… I’ll discuss with my father about this issue… @BelknapPoint I’m really sorry if I seemed like a thief or something… I really don’t intend to be someone like that…
Thank you all for your response, as they have been really helpful and insightful…
Yes he files taxes in our country (the business is in my country, and my whole family lives in my country…)
My father says he'll pay me up to $30k annually
It differes by universities, but the schools I'm applying to have around 10 to 20% acceptance rates
Again, it differs by schools, but most schools that I apply to meet full need(but are need-aware during the selection process)
I am transferring because I want to pursue a higher education in the US. I went to America as an exchange student and realized that I was learning things all wrong back in my country..
You could likely afford a good state flagship with $30k a year. American taxpayers do not contribute anything to international student’s education. You MIGHT receive aid from the private university. You could also receive merit aid from state flagships. If you applied to a state flagship that offered merit, you would not have to fill out any financial forms. What is your major? Where did you apply? You should have included safeties such as University of Alabama Huntsville, University of Arizona, University of Massachusetts both Amherst and Lowell campuses if you are a STEM major. @Helelelel
If you lie and say your family earns $11k/year, I don’t think you’ll be accepted. If you are and you’re found out, you’ll be kicked out of school. At that point you’ll no longer be a student so you’ll lose your student Visa and have to leave the country. I’m not sure if you’d be approved for another.
What your father makes because of his business, and what he later reports as taxable income are likely to be two different things. I don’t have a business, but there are various things that I subtract from my income before calculating what my taxable income is. This really is pretty normal. Talking through the tax process in your country with your dad will help you understand why his income is different from his taxable income. And yes, for a business owner, the kind of difference you described is entirely possible.
You write that you are applying for transfer. How many years have you completed in your home country? When you communicate with the international students offices, how many years does it look like you would need to finish your degree here?
When were you an exchange student? Did you do that in high school or in college? If you did it in college, is there a chance that you can study at that same place and finish your degree there?