Tax help: 1040 instead of 1040NR/1040NR-EZ

Posts 3 · Viewed 6505 · Go to Last Post

· Snapshot

Like · Likedby · 0

Hey people,

I need some advice on filing tax for 2009. I came here
almost 3 years ago and have been filing 1040 form for the past 2 years (2007
and 2008). I worked as a Graduate Research Assistant during those 2 years and
the amount of tax withheld was about 700-800 USD for both years. I also received
250 USD from the stimulus package (Bush ko pala ma).

I’m now sure that I should have filed a different tax form.
So, my question to those who are familiar with this is as follows;

1.
Should I file 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ? BTW, I’m single and in 2009 I was on a paid internship
(during CPT).

2.
When I file the correct form this year, how much
do you think (approx) should I have to pay for the back taxes?

Thank you so much for your time and considerations.

Regards,

Mero_Pyaro_Nepal

Last edited: 04-Feb-10 05:02 PM

Elixir

· Snapshot

Like · Liked by · 0

Mero Paryo Nepalji,

What tax form to use is dependent based on your visa status in the United States not by what you work as. If you are in F1 visa and worked as a research assistant, you should file 1040NR EZ.

How much you would pay in back taxes also dependent upon your tax liability for those years vs how much you paid then. You will have to pay penalty and interest on those back taxes. We don't know your income; we don't know your tax liability; we don't know how much you paid in taxes; we don't know whether you are going to amend your prior returns or just filing a correct and new form for year 2009.

Basically what I am saying is without the full information of everything, it is very hard to tell you how much back taxes you will be paying. Usually the difference between filing a 1040 and 1040NR -EZ is that you don't get to deduct standard deduction ($5700 for 2009) if you file 1040NR EZ. You will be paying additional taxes on the amount that you would deduct as standard deduction. If you have deducted other expenses such as tuition fee to arrive at your AGI, that is not also permitted.

I hope this helps a little bit.

Mero_Pyaro_Nepal

· Snapshot

Like · Liked by · 0

Thanks Elixir. I really appreciate it. I guess I'll find a tax expert and get it all sorted out this time.

Please log in to reply to this post

You can also log in using your Facebook