ISSS-BU News  02 March 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:
Many ISSS-BU subscribers have begun to view the ISSS Income Tax Webinars that are available from the ISSS home page, http://isss.binghamton.edu  We hope you find them helpful, especially if you find yourself confused regarding federal income tax law, or if you need assistance when completing New York State tax returns.  In-person assistance with your income tax forms begins March 16, and will continue through Friday, April 10, 2009.  For details, see:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/inperstaxassis.html

There are a larger number of articles than usual in this week’s issue.  Scan the “Contents” list for articles of interest to you.
 
CONTENTS:
1. National Holidays for March
2. Important Workshop on Post-Graduation Employment Issues Tuesday, March 3
3. Globalistas Plan Event on March 6 in Honor of International Women’s Day, Prior to Coffee Hour
4. Come to the Next International Coffee Hour, Friday, March 6
5. Daylight Savings Time Starts on March 8 This Year
6. International Health Insurance ID Cards for Spring 2009
7. International Spouse Program – ESL Class Update
8. Off Campus Employment and Why International Students Need Work Authorization
9. Travel Alert Warns of Violence in Mexico
10. Nominations Now Being Accepted For 2009 Foundation Awards
11. BU Summer Session Registration Information is Now Available
12. Updates From the Career Development Center
13. Income Tax Information: How to Request a Copy of a Previous Year’s Income Tax Return
14. Income Tax Information: Tax Treaties
15. Income Tax Information: Tax Benefits for Spouses and Dependents

1. National Holidays for March

The following countries are celebrating national holidays during the month of March:

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. Globalistas Plan Event on March 6 in Honor of International Women’s Day, Prior to Coffee Hour

The Binghamton University Globalistas, a group of students, staff and faculty devoted to internationalization in a variety of forms, will present a one-hour program at 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, in honor of International Women’s Day. The program, to be followed by the monthly International Coffee Hour, will take place in the President’s Reception Room at the Anderson Center for the Performing Arts. Jessie Kabwila Kapasula, a doctoral student from Malawi and president of the Graduate Student Organization, will give a brief talk. A question-and-answer session and discussion will give attendees a chance to talk about International Women’s Day, a day designated to remember, recognize and celebrate the achievements of women. To learn more about the March 6 talk and other IWD activities on campus, visit http://www2.binghamton.edu/oip/iwd.html.

4. Come to the Next International Coffee Hour, Friday, March 6

Good company! Free food! An opportunity to visit with friends and classmates!

This month's International Coffee Hour will be held on Friday, March 6 from 3:30-5:00pm in the Anderson Center President’s Reception Room, immediately following the International Women’s Day Program.  We hope that many of you will come for the Inernational Women’s Day Program and stay for the Coffee Hour. 

The International Coffee Hour strives to be a space where the entire Binghamton University community, including international students, U.S. students, faculty/staff, and community members are welcome. The coffee hours are informal and provide an opportunity to meet and learn more about each other in a relaxed atmosphere. Each coffee hour has free hot and cold beverages and cookies, sponsored by a different department on campus.
 
The sponsor of this month's International Coffee Hour is the Division of Research.

5. Daylight Savings Time Starts on March 8 This Year

The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005, passed by the U.S. Congress in July 2005, extended Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the United States by approximately four weeks. As a result, DST will start on Sunday, March 8, 2009, and end on Sunday, November 1, 2009.

So, you’ll want to remember to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to sleep on Saturday night, March 7, so that you’ll be all set for the start of Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, March 8. 

6. International Health Insurance ID Cards for Spring 2009

Registered international students at Binghamton University are automatically enrolled for the SUNY International Student Health and Accident Insurance policy at the start of each semester, except for those who receive health insurance as an employee benefit (GAs, TAs and RAs.) For the Spring 2009 semester, your insurance dates back to 15 January 2009. The cost of the SUNY International Student Health and Accident Insurance is included in your tuition bill (INT’L. INS.”).

Students are issued electronic health insurance ID cards, rather than paper ID cards.  Students are notified by e-mail by the health insurance company, HTH Worldwide. This e-mail provides instructions on how to download your health insurance ID e-card.

On Friday, February 27, 2009, undergraduate international students who are enrolled in the SUNY International Health Insurance Program were sent an email message to their Binghamton.edu e-mail account, with the subject “SUNY Important Health Insurance Information.” The email message was sent from HTHWorldwide.com.  Graduate international students who are enrolled in the SUNY International Health Insurance Program will receive their email in approximately one week.

When you receive the e-mail, please make sure that you read the instructions carefully and download your health insurance ID e-card. Once you print the insurance ID e-card you will want keep this ID card in your wallet.

For further information, please visit the “Health Insurance section of the ISSS webpage, http://isss.binghamton.edu/health/index.html  Review How to Use Your International Student Health Insurance.  If you need to locate a doctor or health care facility, review Finding a Participating Doctor or Hospital.

If you have questions about your health insurance coverage, or about a billing for services you receive from a doctor’s office or hospital, you may meet with Diane Sliwinski, the International Health Insurance Coordinator by calling the ISSS office for an appointment, 607-777-2510.  Diane also has walk in hours every Wednesday from 1:30pm until 3:15pm.  You may e-mail Diane at dsliwin@binghamton.edu

7. International Spouse Program – ESL Class Update

The Beginner - Elementary ISP ESL Class at 8:00am on Tuesdays and Thursdays has been cancelled due to low attendance.  The dates and times for the Intermediate-Advanced ESL Class remains unchanged.  Please continue to read ISSS-BU News where we will announce when a new class has been scheduled that will meet the needs and preferences of those interested in the International Spouse Program.

8. Off Campus Employment And Why International Students Need Work Authorization

In recent weeks, staff in the Office of International Student and Scholar Services have answered a number of students’ questions regarding off campus employment.  A reminder: A student in F-1 or J-1 status cannot be employed away from the Binghamton University campus unless they have obtained appropriate federal authorization to do so before employment can begin.  The only exception to this rule are F-1students who are working away from BU but are paid on a Binghamton University state or research foundation payroll.

• All off-campus internships must be authorized in advance even if the internship is “unpaid”
• Employment at another SUNY campus (such as Cortland or Oneonta) or Community College (such as Broome Community College) is NOT “on-campus employment” and must be authorized in advance.   Other SUNY campuses are no different than any other off-campus location; the employment must be authorized.
• Students currently on authorized Curricular Practical Training (CPT) who wish to extend their employment authorization or change employers must receive approval from the ISSS (in the form of a new I-20 with the new work authorization indicated on page 3) before the extended employment or the new employment may commence.

The U.S. government exacts heavy penalties for students who work without authorization.

In addition, many U.S. international student offices report problems with students putting unpaid internships on their resume as “work experience” and then having difficulties when they secure long-term employment and sponsorship for H-1B visas.  The officers at US Citizenship and Immigration Services look for corresponding work authorization on their I-20, and finding none conclude that the student had engaged in unauthorized employment, and deny the H-1B petition.

Readers may wish to take note of the following two articles on the ISSS website:

Employment Overview
http://isss.binghamton.edu/emp/overview.html

Don’t Place Your Immigration Status at Risk: Consequences of Illegal Employment
http://isss.binghamton.edu/emp/illegalemp.htm

The ISSS website has many resources on employment.  Just visit http://isss.binghamton.edu and click on “Employment.”

If you have questions regarding employment, please do not hesitate to contact the Assistant Director Amelia Shafer at ashafer@binghamton.edu or Associate Director, Karen Keefe-Guzikowski, kkeefe@binghamton.edu They are happy to assist you.

If you would like to make an appointment to discuss issues of employment, please call the ISSS office at (607) 777-2510.

9. Travel Alert Warns of Violence in Mexico

With a recent increase in violence in Mexico, students considering travel to Mexico during the upcoming spring recess are urged to consider the advisability of their plans. A recent U.S. Department of State Travel Alert warns that an increase in kidnappings, robberies, carjackings, assaults and homicides perpetrated against Mexican citizens and foreign travelers is occurring predominantly in border areas, but also across the country generally. The Department of State Travel Alert can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html.

10. Nominations Now Being Accepted For 2009 Foundation Awards
 
The Division of Student Affairs is now accepting nominations of both students and student organizations for the Binghamton University Foundation Awards.  The awards will be presented at the recognition ceremonies of the individual schools later this Spring.  Anyone (faculty, staff or student) can nominate a student for these awards.  A description of each award along with the required nomination form may be found at:
http://www2.binghamton.edu/student-affairs/awards/index.html
The nomination deadline is Thursday, March 12.

11. BU Summer Session Registration Information is Now Available

Registration information for Summer Session 2009 is now available at http://summer.binghamton.edu  Students must clear all outstanding financial obligations before they can register or add classes. You can view and/or pay your outstanding financial obligations at http://bubrain.binghamton.edu  To view your outstanding debts, select Quick Pay-Student Payment.  You will be able to view your debts and pay for them at this link.

The Summer Session Course Catalog can be viewed on BU Brain at:
 https://buonline.binghamton.edu/banner/bwckschd.p_disp_dyn_sched

12. Updates From the Career Development Center

Resource Of The Week: CareerTV.Com

What it is: CareerTV is an interactive website designed to help college students and young professionals develop long-lasting, successful careers.

Why we love it: With everything from career advice (resume writing, interviewing advice, job searching) to company profiles (think GE, L’Oreal, and Walt Disney), CareerTV’s extensive offerings are impressive! Video clips can be searched by topic, industry, organization name and geographic area.

How to access:  CareerTV is available on the CDC website and Facebook group, but can be accessed directly at www.careertv.com.

Three Important Reasons All Binghamton Students Should Participate In Our Practice Interview Program!

1.   Employers Tell Us Repeatedly That Our Students Need The Practice!
Regardless of major or field, employer feedback consistently indicates that Binghamton students need to improve their interviewing skills. Our practice interview program is one way to improve those skills!
2.   Alumni Have Volunteered To Help Binghamton Students Succeed!
Alumni have graciously volunteered their time to help students prepare themselves for the interview process. And what could be better than having an ally who wants to help you, has professional, real-world experience, and can increase your professional networking circle?
3.   Past Participants Say It Is Definitely Worth It!
Students who participated in our Alumni Phone Practice Interview Program over the winter break say it was well worth their time and effort to have these types of discussions with alumni. They have received great feedback and made improvements to their interview answers, which can only help them in the long run!

Complete information about the program, as well as an 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 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 3/2 (for complete details see Upcoming CDC Programs below).  Also, if you are in F-1 or J-1 status, remember to visit the ISSS to learn if your credit internship requires that you be authorized under Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

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 Job/Internship Titles:

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

13. Income Tax Information: How to Request a Copy of a Previous Year’s Income Tax Return

When you file an income tax form as a non-resident or as a resident, you are required to keep copies of the forms, and attachments.  The ISSS has been asked several times for help if a student has somehow lost or misplaced a previous year’s income tax forms.

Both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the New York State tax department provide separate instructions on how to obtain a copy of an income tax forms.

To request a copy of a previous year’s federal income tax form, follow the instructions at the following web link:  http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc156.html

To request a copy of a previous year’s New York State tax return, print the form at the following web link and follow the instructions on the form:
http://www.tax.state.ny.us/pdf/2005/fillin/misc/tr152_505_fill_in.pdf

14. Income Tax Information: Tax Treaties

This week's Income Tax article is about Tax Treaties. For more information, visit http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/treaties.html

How do you find out whether your country HAS a tax treaty with the U.S. that allows such a deduction and additional details regarding the deduction? Consult IRS Publication 901 (U.S. Tax Treaties) available on the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p901.pdf
Be sure that you are referencing the correct section of the publication; tax treaty provisions for students begin on Page 19.

The section titled "Professors, Teachers, and Researchers" (which starts on Page 15) only applies to those individuals who entered the U.S. in non-student categories, such as a J-1 Visiting Professor or Research Scholar.

If you use CINTAX, it will inform you of any tax treaty for which you might be eligible, and put the information on the appropriate federal income tax form.

If you earned wages (as reported on form W-2) during 2008 and are a national of a country that has a tax treaty with the United States that includes a personal services provision for students, you may be able to deduct that tax treaty amount on your tax form. If you use CINTAX, it will do that for you.

Many students who are eligible for tax treaty benefits that are either applicable to wages or scholarships will be issued form 1042-S by Binghamton University in mid-March.  Students who will receive form 1042-S should wait to receive form 1042-S before filing their income tax returns.

The following countries permit their nationals who are students in the United States to protect a portion of their wages from income tax: Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, China, Commonwealth of Independent States*, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan (if you first entered the U.S. in the appropriate visa status prior to March 30, 2004), Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Spain, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, and Venezuela.(*This treaty is in effect for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgystan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan). However, the rules vary by country.

An easy to read chart for tax treaties based on wages for students can also be found on the ISSS website at: http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/saltable.html

If you have a qualifying scholarship or fellowship grant (not a teaching or research assistantship, and not a tuition scholarship) and are from one of the following countries, you may be able to protect all or part of your grant from tax: Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Commonwealth of Independent States*, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan (if you first entered the U.S. in the appropriate visa status prior to March 30, 2004), Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Ukraine and Venezuela. (*This treaty is in effect for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgystan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.)

An easy to read chart for tax treaties based on scholarships or fellowships for students can be found on the ISSS website at: http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/schtable.html

If you are a student from India, stop by the ISSS for the handout which describes the India Tax Treaty or visit the ISSS website at http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/usindia.html for specific information on the U.S. tax treaty with India.

An easy to read chart for tax treaties for J-1 scholars and faculty who earned salary and wages as reported on a W-2 can be found on the ISSS website at:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/taxes/teachresea.htm

Two other good sources of information on tax treaties are the special tax treaty page of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/international/article/0,,id=96739,00.html
and the website of Windstar Technologies, http://www.windstar-tech.com/public/treaties.html
Both sites have posted the entire text of tax treaties for each country.

15. Income Tax Information: Tax Benefits for Spouses and Dependents

Many international students and scholars who are married and/or have children ask if they can claim their spouse and/or children as dependents on their income tax returns. The answer is, "it depends."

If you are an F-1 or J-1 student, and have been in that status for five or fewer years (since 2004 or later) OR if you are a J-1 scholar or faculty member who has been in that status for two or fewer years (since 2007 or later) you are considered to be a non-resident for tax purposes. You can only claim a spouse and/or children as dependents IF you are a national of one of the following four countries:

  Canada
  India (students ONLY and only if the spouse is in the U.S. and earned no income)
  Republic of Korea
  Mexico

Nationals from Japan used to be able to claim their spouses and dependents on their income tax returns, but that was under an old tax treaty.  The new tax treaty that was ratified on March 30, 2004 eliminated the dependent option after 2005.

If you are a national of any other country, you cannot claim a spouse and/or children as dependents if you are a non-resident for tax purposes. This is because only those four countries have entered into tax treaty agreements with the United States that permit a spouse or dependent to be claimed as a dependent by a non- resident. This also means that only residents from those four countries can also claim tax credits based on having dependents.

Here are the specific rules:

Spouses:
A spouse exemption is available to married individuals from Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Korea. A spouse exemption is also available to married students from India IF the spouse is living with the student in the United States and if the spouse had no earned U.S. income for the 2008 tax year. No other countries are eligible for the spouse exemption. If you are claiming a spouse exemption, you cannot file form 1040NR EZ. Instead, you must file form 1040NR.  CINTAX will complete the correct tax form for you.

Dependents (Children)
Only individuals from Canada, Mexico or the Republic of Korea can claim children who live with them as dependents. Individuals from Canada or Mexico can also claim children who don't live with them as dependents. Students from India can only claim children living with them in the United States if the children are U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.

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