To file tax or not (student)

Paying for College
21

<p>^Are you an international student? Many schools will provide tax software to their international students. For example, UB SUNY

See [GLACIER</a> Tax Prep - 2013 Nonresident Alien Federal Income Tax Return Filing Assistance - University at Buffalo Human Resources](<a href=“http://hr.buffalo.edu/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=487]GLACIER”>http://hr.buffalo.edu/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=487)</p>

22

<p>There is one other thing to consider. If you have a EFC of zero due to the simplified means test than make sure that you do not file a 1040.</p>

23

<p>When I was a grad student (and non-resident), I file tax return manually. It is not that difficult. Once you have investment, a family, property, etc, then you would better use a software.</p>

24

<p>

IRS has a tax guide for nonresident: Pub 519 “U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens” See [Publication</a> 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens](<a href=“http://www.irs.gov/uac/Publication-519,-U.S.-Tax-Guide-for-Aliens-1]Publication”>http://www.irs.gov/uac/Publication-519,-U.S.-Tax-Guide-for-Aliens-1). Many schools also has tax resources for international students; for example SUNY UB [International</a> Student and Scholar Services - ISSS](<a href=“http://wings.buffalo.edu/intlservices/tax.html]International”>http://wings.buffalo.edu/intlservices/tax.html)</p>

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<p>Okay, so you say this Glacier website is better? Can I claim my State TR and my FICA( yes, I have withheld…) with it? And how complicated is this Glacier anyway? I remember Sprintax was very user friendly, just step by step, clicking here and there and I was done, I just had to print out the form and wait for my refund :)) And do you know how much will this Glacier cost me? I</p>

26

<p>Only those people get into trouble with the IRS who owe gov’t money but fail to file their tax returns. So the first thing you need to know is whether you gov’t money. If you don’t, then it is not mandatory for you to file your tax return. However, sometimes the gov’t owes you money and if you were not to file the return you won’t get that check.
Hope it helped.</p>

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<p>How do I know if I owe them money?</p>

28

<p>

Prepare your tax returns.</p>

29

<p>

</p>

<p>That’s dangerous advice. IRS Pub 501 lists who must file starting on page 3. Note the word must.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf[/url]”>http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The criteria isn’t whether money is owed, it has to do with income, the kind of income, age, dependency and other things. There are reasons why someone who must file wouldn’t actually owe any taxes but if the criteria listed in Pub 501 require filing, not filing is likely to generate an IRS inquiry at a minimum.</p>

30

<p>

IRS can go after you for those years that you didn’t file tax returns, no statute of limitations.</p>