ISSS-BU News  23 February 2009   ISSS-BU News

An electronic news service for international students and scholars, owned by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at Binghamton University, State University of New York

Visit ISSS on the Web!   http://isss.binghamton.edu

Editor’s Note:  On Friday, February 20, ISSS announced that on-line income tax webinars are now available to assist you with your income tax filing.  Access all of the webinars at: http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/webworkshp.htm  There will also be a volunteer available in the ISSS during certain hours to help you with your non-resident income tax questions.  Please see the article below for details.

ISSS-BU News will continue to publish income tax articles throughout tax season.  Also, helpful information is available in the “Taxes” section of the ISSS website, at the following link:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/index.html

CONTENTS:
1. International Student Grant-in-Aid Applications Now Being Accepted
2. Important Workshop on Post-Graduation Employment Issues Tuesday, March 3
3. Moved Recently? Time to Report Your Change of Address
4. Graduate School’s Declaration of Candidacy Form for Spring 2009 Degree Completion Is Now On Line
5. Traveling During the Spring Break?
6. Stalking: Who Can You Call For Help?
7. Stay Safe With Safe Rides
8. Updates from the Career Development Center
9. Income Tax Information:  Who Needs To File a New York State Income Tax Return?
10. Income Tax Information:  In-person Assistance With Your Non-Resident Income Tax Forms
11. Income Tax Information: Filing Out and Mailing Your Income Tax Forms
12. Income Tax Information:  What To Do If You Have Received Form 1099-G

1. International Student Grant-in-Aid Applications Now Being Accepted

Each semester, awards of up to $500 are made to a small number of international students who have a severe financial need. To be eligible, students must be in F-1 or J-1 status, have been in attendance at Binghamton University at least one yearn (began their studies at Binghamton University in Spring 2008 or earlier), document need, have no outstanding obligations to the university, and be full-time students in good standing.

Some students may find themselves in financial difficulty through no fault of their own.  Examples can include reduced support from a sponsor, or unanticipated expenses.  Applicants are strongly advised to carefully document their financial situation when submitting the application form, as there are always more students seeking assistance than there are funds.

Applications are available now in the Office of International Student and Scholar Services and must be submitted no later than Wednesday, March 11, 2009.

2. Important Workshop on Post-Graduation Employment Issues Tuesday, March 3

What may be the most important immigration workshop offered this year will be held Tuesday, March 3 at 5:30pm in Science Library Room 310. Will you be seeking employment in the United States after graduation? Do you have questions regarding H-1B visas, labor certification, PERM and employment-based permanent residency? Are you confused about the H-1B “cap” and the “cap gap?”   What will happen if all the available H-1B visas are taken soon after April 1, 2009, which is the earliest date for submitting an H-1B petition with an October 1, 2009 start date?  What about those 20,000 extra H-1B visa slots for those with U.S. master’s degrees or higher?  You do not want to miss this workshop!

Learn about your options under U.S. immigration law from special guest and featured speaker, immigration attorney Hilary Fraser from the law firm of Miller Mayer LLP in Ithaca, New York. This workshop is sponsored by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.

3.  Moved Recently?  Time to Report Your Change of Address

Have you moved?  Did you remember that SEVIS requires that you report your change of address to the ISSS?   The office makes it easy for you to comply with the address requirement by filing out a change of address form on the web.  Visit: http://isss.binghamton.edu/forms/addrChange.html

4. Graduate School’s Declaration of Candidacy Form for Spring 2009 Degree Completion Is Now On Line

The Graduate School’s Spring 2009 semester Declaration of Candidacy survey is now available online. The form may be accessed through BU Brain http://bubrain.binghamton.edu Select “Student Tab”, then “Student Records” then “Graduate School Declaration of Candidacy.”

This On-line form is used by graduate students to declare the intention to graduate. This form is required in order to apply for degree completion. It must be completed during the semester in which you plan to graduate. (If you complete the Declaration but fail to graduate, you must complete the form again when you intend to complete your degree.)

For more information on the Graduate School’s degree and graduation requirements, go to:
http://gradschool.binghamton.edu/cs/degreecompletion.asp

5. Traveling During the Spring Break?

Do you plan to travel during the Spring break?  Spring break begins upon the conclusion of your last class on Friday, April 3, 2009.  Classes resume on Tuesday, April 14, 2009. Whether you will travel within the United States or to another country during Spring break, be sure to read the ISSS article titled “Traveling During Spring Break” available on the ISSS website in the “Travel” section.  The direct link is
http://isss.binghamton.edu/travel/springbrk.html

6. Stalking: Who Can You Call For Help?

In a survey conducted at Binghamton University in November 2008, 27.52 percent of students indicated having been stalked while at Binghamton University. Stalking is when a person engages in a series of unwanted actions or behaviors that makes you fear for your safety.  Stalking can include multiple unwanted emails, phone calls or letters.  The stalker may follow you home or follow you to class.  Stalking is a crime!

If you or someone you know is being stalked, get to a safe place and call University Police immediately by dialing 911 or 607-777-2393. Counselors at the Counseling Center are also here to help. Call 607-777-2772 or stop by Bartle Library LN-Room 1202 if you wish to speak with someone. For more information on stalking, visit the National Crime Victims Center webpage at http://www.ncvc.org/src/Main.aspx

7. Stay Safe with Safe Rides

The University's Safe Ride and Safe Walk Program provides a trained student or University Police staff member to escort students on campus. Students need only to call 607-777-2393 from on campus to gain assistance. A Safe Ride van also circles the campus from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. every night during the academic year. All students are urged to take advantage of this service if they do not wish to walk alone on campus. Additional information about University Police services may be found at http://police.binghamton.edu

8. Updates From the Career Development Center

Back By Popular Demand: Students: Practice Your Interviewing Skills With BU Alumni!

Participating students had such a positive experience that we’re offering this opportunity once again!

The Career Development Center and the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations are pleased to present current, matriculated Binghamton students the opportunity to practice their interviewing skills with Binghamton Alumni via telephone! This is an excellent way to sharpen your interview skills and gain confidence for your “real” interviews. In addition, this offers a great opportunity to begin networking with professionals who have a connection to you – Binghamton!

Complete information and application document summary is available on the CDC website. Applications for the program will be accepted beginning 2/10/09 and ending 3/5/09. Once the application is approved, students will be matched with an alumni volunteer to conduct a practice interview by phone.  

Undergraduate Students: Get Academic Credit For Your Fall 2009 Internship!:

If you are an undergraduate student interested in receiving credit for your internship, registering through CDC's Academic Internship Programs is one way to gain that credit. Students interested in obtaining internship credit through the CDC MUST attend one of the advising sessions on 2/23, 2/24, 2/25 OR 3/2 (for complete details see Upcoming CDC Programs below).

Upcoming CDC Programs

EXCITING JOBS & INTERNSHIPS HAVE BEEN POSTED TO eRecruiting!

Employers Are Still Hiring!!  Apply Today!  New positions are posted to eRecruiting on a daily basis. Students may view and apply for positions through their eRecruiting account. All matriculated students have an account and there is great diversity in the types of employers/positions available.

Current Sample Jobs And Internships Titles:

Binghamton Students Are Invited:Cornell’s 2009 Not-For-Profit And Government Career Fair

Thursday, February 26, noon—4:00 pm, in the Statler Hotel Ballroom on the Cornell University campus http://www.career.cornell.edu/careerFairs/nonprofgovtCF.html

The event is open to Cornell and area college students who have a current student identification card; student registration is not required. Business casual attire is recommended.

Over 60 local, state, and national organizations attended the 2008 fair to discuss full-time positions, volunteer roles, internships, and summer jobs. Student registration is not required. Business casual attire is recommended.  The list of employers 2009 participating organizations provides an overview of the event.

Binghamton Students Are Invited: Not-For-Profit/Public Service Career Fair

Friday March 6, 2009, 12pm - 4pm
Columbia University
Roone Arledge Auditorium, Alfred Lerner Hall

Binghamton students and alumni are invited to explore a wide variety of career fields, employers, and types of employment.  Discover all the ways you can make an impact. Business attire required. Job seekers are not required to register. http://www.cce.columbia.edu/nfp

9. Income Tax Information:  Who Needs To File a New York State Income Tax Return?

Staff in the ISSS are frequently asked, do I need to file a New York State income tax return?

You will want to file a New York State tax form:

• if you have New York State-sourced income (look at Box 15 on form W-2 for a “NY” code), and
• if NY State income tax was withheld in Box 17 of form W-2 and
• you would like to apply for a refund of the box 17 amount, regardless of how much money you earned. 

You must file New York State form IT-203 if you have income from a New York State source and your New York adjusted gross income is more than your New York State standard deduction ($7500 for single or married individuals, $15,000 if a married individual from Canada, Mexico, Korea or student from India whose spouse is in the United States but earned no income).  New York state adjusted gross income includes income from New York State and any other states you may have worked in 2008.

Note: New York adjusted gross income is determined by completing IT-203 lines 1 through 31 and comparing line 31 Federal Amount (which includes income from NY State and other states) with your New York standard deduction.  Thus, you may be required to file a New York State form IT-203 if your wages from work in other states plus your New York state wages is greater than your New York State standard deduction. 

For those of you who will need to file a New York State tax return you may prefer to print your New York State tax forms on the computer rather than handwrite them.  The New York State Tax Department provides “fillable forms” on-line that you can then print from your computer.  Links to all New York State forms may be found at:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/NYSformIT203.html but you are urged to view the webinars that the ISSS has recorded on the New York State forms, available at http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/webworkshp.htm for line-by-line instructions on how to complete them.

10. Income Tax Information:  In-person Assistance With Your Non-Resident Income Tax Forms

ISSS is pleased to announce the availability of in-person assistance with completing your non-resident income tax forms.  This service is primarily to assist you if you need help with New York State forms IT-2, IT-203 and IT-203ATT, since CINTAX is available for completing your federal returns.  However, federal non-resident tax questions can be answered as well.

Mr. Jim Rollo, who graduated from Binghamton University’s School of Management in 1984 and is a local businessman, will be available beginning Monday, March 16 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am to 1pm in Room 126, in the Hinman Commons portion of Rockefeller Center (up the outdoor stairs and enter to your left).  Then, follow the signs down the hall to Room 126.  This service will end on April 10.

Appointments are not required. Be sure to bring your income tax forms with you.

11. Income Tax Information:  Filling Out and Mailing Your Income Tax Forms

This information applies to F and J students who are non-residents for tax purposes (those who entered the United States in F or J status in calendar year 2004 or later).

Use CINTAX to fill out and print your federal income tax forms.  If you have not yet obtained a CINTAX password, go to: http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/cintax.htm  Remember that non-resident income tax forms cannot be e-filed.  You must print them and mail them to the appropriate address. 

Be sure to sign both your federal and state income tax returns BEFORE mailing them, and be sure to make keep a copy for your records.  For information on assembling and mailing your income tax forms, see: http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/taxaddress.html

12. Income Tax Information: What To Do If You Have Received Form 1099-G

Some international students may have received form 1099-G in the mail, also called a "Statement of Tax Overpayment." These forms are issued by states (for example, New York State) to provide a record of a state and/or local income tax refund paid to you during calendar year 2008. Not all students receive this form, but if you filed a state tax return for calendar year 2007 and received a refund payment from that state, the refund would have been paid to you sometime during 2008.

This amount, which is reported on Form 1099-G, must also be reported on your income tax return. If you will be filing form 1040NR EZ, the amount is reported on line 4.  If you use CINTAX, it will report your 1099-G income in the appropriate section of Form 1040NR EZ or 1040NR.  Students from India should note that CINTAX does not print the line 1099-G amount on line 4 of the 1040NR EZ.  It’s not an error.  The reason why the amount does not appear is because citizens of India who are F or J students do not claim state tax withheld as a deduction on their federal income tax forms.  For a more complete explanation, visit http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/cintx1099G.htm

Students who did not file a state income tax form for calendar year 2007, or who did file a state income tax form but either did not get a tax refund or instead had to make a tax payment to the state, do not receive form 1099-G.

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