Why Do I have to file taxes?
The reason why you need to file taxes is that it is the law in the USA to file a tax return and report earnings (money) that were made during a calendar year.
US tax returns should, in general, be filed with the IRS no later than theTHIRD WEEK IN APRIL.
The amount of income tax you may owe depends on when you arrived in the USA. The Exemption Deduction is $3,700 (SEE 1040NR-EZ instruction book - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040nre.pdf - , page 6).
How do I file taxes?
1 – Get your Social Security Number (info from social security website)
Applying for a Social Security number and card is free.
To apply:
We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your DHS work permit as proof of both your identity and work-authorized immigration status. Your birth certificate or passport may serve as proof of age. However, you must provide at least two separate documents. We will mail your number and card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents with the issuing offices.
2- Calculate how much you have earned during the previous calendar year –if you haven’t kept track of how much you earned, please calculate using the number of weeks you worked as an au pair in the USA the previous calendar year
For example: you were in the US for 20 weeks in 2011 and earned a stipend for those 20 weeks. You earned $195.75 x per week. So, $195.75 x 20 weeks= $3915
3 – Au Pairs should fill out and file a 1041NR-EZ
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040nre.pdf
This is the link to instruction booklet http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040nre.pdf
Below are some helpful tips to fill out the 2011 tax form:
- Enter the total amount you earned in 2011 on line 3, line 7, line 10 and line 12.
- On line 11 enter 0 as au pairs should not have any itemized deductions
- On line 13 enter $3,700 which is the 2011 exemption amount
- Subtract the exemption amount ($3,700) from your income reported on line 12 and put it on line 14. This is your taxable income.
- Find your taxable income amount in the tax tables which are included in the instructions (page 17) to see the amount you will owe in taxes. Put this on line 17 and on line 25 of form 1041NR-EZ.
- Sign and date your form at the bottom of page 1
- On page 2, on line A you need to provide your home country
- Lines C, D and F should say ‘no’
- On line E, you should put ‘J1’
- On line G, you should start with your arrival date in the US and list any dates that you left the country for any trips
- On line H, you need to add up all days that you were in the US during 2011
4 – You must send your form 1040NR-EZ with payment to the following address:
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Austin, TX 73301-0215
The reason why you need to file taxes is that it is the law in the USA to file a tax return and report earnings (money) that were made during a calendar year.
US tax returns should, in general, be filed with the IRS no later than theTHIRD WEEK IN APRIL.
The amount of income tax you may owe depends on when you arrived in the USA. The Exemption Deduction is $3,700 (SEE 1040NR-EZ instruction book - http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040nre.pdf - , page 6).
How do I file taxes?
1 – Get your Social Security Number (info from social security website)
Applying for a Social Security number and card is free.
To apply:
- Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5);
- Show us at least two original documents proving your:
- Identity (passport or driver’s license)
- Work-authorized immigration status (DS-2019)
- Age
- Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office.
We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your DHS work permit as proof of both your identity and work-authorized immigration status. Your birth certificate or passport may serve as proof of age. However, you must provide at least two separate documents. We will mail your number and card as soon as we have all of your information and have verified your documents with the issuing offices.
2- Calculate how much you have earned during the previous calendar year –if you haven’t kept track of how much you earned, please calculate using the number of weeks you worked as an au pair in the USA the previous calendar year
For example: you were in the US for 20 weeks in 2011 and earned a stipend for those 20 weeks. You earned $195.75 x per week. So, $195.75 x 20 weeks= $3915
3 – Au Pairs should fill out and file a 1041NR-EZ
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040nre.pdf
This is the link to instruction booklet http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040nre.pdf
Below are some helpful tips to fill out the 2011 tax form:
- Enter the total amount you earned in 2011 on line 3, line 7, line 10 and line 12.
- On line 11 enter 0 as au pairs should not have any itemized deductions
- On line 13 enter $3,700 which is the 2011 exemption amount
- Subtract the exemption amount ($3,700) from your income reported on line 12 and put it on line 14. This is your taxable income.
- Find your taxable income amount in the tax tables which are included in the instructions (page 17) to see the amount you will owe in taxes. Put this on line 17 and on line 25 of form 1041NR-EZ.
- Sign and date your form at the bottom of page 1
- On page 2, on line A you need to provide your home country
- Lines C, D and F should say ‘no’
- On line E, you should put ‘J1’
- On line G, you should start with your arrival date in the US and list any dates that you left the country for any trips
- On line H, you need to add up all days that you were in the US during 2011
4 – You must send your form 1040NR-EZ with payment to the following address:
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Austin, TX 73301-0215