CONTENTS: African Night. Date-3/3/2017

Transcription

1 CONTENTS: African Night Spring Break: March 13 th -17 th SPAM s, Phone Calls and Tax Returns Questions Tax Help for Internationals OPT Sessions Spring 2017 SUAB: Rainbow Kitten Surprise Speaker Series: Leadership for the People African Night What: African Night-The Africa You Don t Know When: Saturday, March 4 th Where: Seretean Center Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Cost: $10 for admission 1

2 Spring Break: March 13 th -17 th Spring Break will be March 13 th 17 th. If you are traveling outside of the country, please make sure that your I-20 or DS-2019 has a valid travel signature by March 10 th. If you re going on a cruise, please make sure that you have all travel documents that you need. SPAM s, Phone Calls and Tax Returns Questions Please be aware that some students have received SPAM s about job openings from addresses claiming to be recruiting agents. If you haven t contacted someone personally or you cannot contact someone from the company, then it s probably fake. Note: If the offer sounds too good to be true, then it probably it. In addition, some students have received phone calls from people saying they are from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). The IRS will never call you. Tax Returns Questions Some students who have graduated are asking if they can now use a tax attorney. There are a couple of issues with this question. Students who have graduated must still determine if they are a resident or nonresident for tax purposes. Students in F-1 status, which includes OPT, are nonresidents for 5 calendar years. That is what the Glacier database program determines. If you are in your 6 th year in F-1 status, and you stay in the U.S. for at least 183 days, would you be considered a resident for tax purposes. For any OSU student who has graduated and is a nonresident for tax purposes, but no longer has a Glacier database record, I am happy to provide an access code for direct access to Glacier Tax Prep. If you are a resident for tax purposes, you have options for how you file your tax return. Some people use online tax preparation software, some people use tax preparers, and some people use a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Tax preparers includes companies like H&R Block, Jackson-Hewitt, Liberty Tax, etc. These companies are fine for simple tax returns. But they are not tax attorneys or even CPAs. Not very many Americans use tax attorneys because they are very expensive and most of us don t need that much expertise. It s probably a translation issue, but please don t use the term tax attorney to describe a tax preparer who may or may not be a CPA. If you use an online program or file with H&R Block, Jackson-Hewitt, Liberty Tax, etc. and you are not a resident for tax purposes, you are filing an incorrect tax return and possibly getting a bigger refund than you are entitled to. Please don t jeopardize your immigration status by filing the wrong tax return! 2

3 Tax Help for Internationals WORKSHOPS TO SHOW YOU HOW TO USE SPECIAL FREE TAX SOFTWARE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND HOW TO COMPLETE OKLAHOMA TAX FORMS Bring any tax forms you have such as W-2 or 1042-S or (Not everyone has all these forms. Some people only have a W-2) You must know your passport number. Bring a copy of last year s tax return, if you have one. February 8 th Wednesday Math Science Computer Lab 6:00 pm February 10 th Friday Math Science Computer Lab 6:00 pm February 17 th Friday Math Science Computer Lab 6:00 pm February 21 st Tuesday Math Science Computer Lab 6:00 pm March 3 rd Friday Math Science Computer Lab 6:00 pm March 11 th Saturday Math Science Computer Lab 1:00 pm March 17 th Friday Math Science Computer Lab 6:00 pm March 25 th Saturday Math Science Computer Lab 1:00 pm April 5 th Wednesday Math Science Computer Lab 6:00 pm April 9 th Sunday Math Science Computer Lab 1:00 pm Due date is April 18 due to a holiday on April 15. Must be in the mail by April 18, not received.) OPT Session Spring 2017 OPT Session Date (Fridays Only) Time Location February 10, :30 pm to 7:00 pm CLB 101 February 24, :30 pm to 7:00 pm CLB 101 March 3, :30 pm to 7:00 pm CLB 101 April 7, :30 pm to 7:00 pm CLB 101 3

4 SUAB: Rainbow Kitten Surprise What: Coffeehouse Series: Rainbow Kitten Surprise When: Thursday, March 9 th Where: Student Union Theater Time: 8:30 pm Cost: Free Admission Our second performance in the Student Union Activities Board s Spring Coffeehouse Series features Rainbow Kitten Surprise on Thursday, March 9 at 8:30 p.m. in the Student Union Theater. Rainbow Kitten Surprise and all five of its members hail from the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. With catchy, yet deep lyrical meaning, beautifully designed bass lines, and melodic guitar riffs, their unique sound has continued to push them towards the mainstream audiences. Join SUAB for an evening of good tunes, snacks, and FREE entertainment! 4

5 Speaker Series: Leadership for the People What: Speaker Series: Dr. Precious Elmore-Sanders, Leadership for the People When: Thursday, March 9 th Where: Willard Living Room Time: 2:00 pm Cost: Free with Reception and hors d oeuvres to follow The Center for Ethical Leadership is thrilled to have Dr. Precious Elmore-Sanders join us for a luncheon. Dr. Elmore-Sanders is an alumna of OSU and currently serves as the assistant vice president for the Division of Institutional Diversity & director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Dr. Elmore-Sanders received her bachelor s degree in family relations and child development and her master s degree in special education from OSU. She received her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in multicultural special education and minored in vocational rehabilitation counseling. Dr. Elmore-Sanders has a passion for higher education and helping enrich the lives of students by working to give them the best experience possible. Her commitment to higher education, diversity and teamwork make her an inspiring person. Please join the Center for Ethical Leadership in honoring Dr. Elmore-Sanders, one of the motivating voices that make OSU what it is today. *This is an open forum for students, faculty and staff. For more info: steph.jamison@okstate.edu or call