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Contents

Publication 519 Introduction ........................................ 1


Cat. No. 15023T
Department Important Changes ............................ 1
of the
Treasury U.S. Tax Guide Important Reminders .........................

1. Nonresident Alien or Resident


3

Internal
Revenue
Service for Aliens Alien? ...........................................

2. Source of Income .........................


3

10

3. Exclusions From Gross Income . 13

For use in preparing 4. How Income of Aliens Is Taxed . 15

1999 Returns
5. Figuring Your Tax ........................

6. Dual-Status Tax Year ...................


20

25

7. What, When, and Where To File . 33

8. Paying Tax Through Withholding


or Estimated Tax ......................... 34

9. Tax Treaty Benefits ...................... 41

10. Employees of Foreign


Governments and International
Organizations .............................. 42

11. Departing Aliens and the Sailing


or Departure Permit .................... 44

12. How To Get More Information .... 46

Appendix A—Tax Treaty Exemption


Procedure for Students .............. 47

Appendix B—Tax Treaty Exemption


Procedure for Teachers and
Researchers ................................. 49

Index .................................................... 52

Introduction
For tax purposes, an alien is an individual
who is not a U.S. citizen. Aliens are classified
as nonresident aliens and resident aliens.
This publication will help you determine your
status and give you information you will need
to file your U.S. tax return. Resident aliens
generally are taxed on their worldwide in-
come, the same as U.S. citizens. Nonresi-
dent aliens are taxed only on their income
from sources within the United States and on
certain income connected with the conduct
of a trade or business in the United States.
Table A, What You Need To Know About
U.S. Taxes, provides a list of questions and
the chapter or chapters in this publication
where you will find the related discussion.
The information in this publication is not
as comprehensive for resident aliens as it is
for nonresident aliens. Resident aliens are
generally treated the same as U.S. citizens
and can find more information in other IRS
publications.

Important Changes
Child tax credit. In 1999, you may be able
to take a credit on your tax return of up to
$500 for each qualifying child. For more in-
formation, see Tax Credits and Payments, in
chapter 5.
Table A. What You Need To Know About U.S. Taxes
Commonly Asked Questions Where To Find The Answer

Am I a nonresident alien or resident alien? See chapter 1.

Can I be a nonresident alien and a resident alien in the same year? ● See Dual Status Aliens in chapter 1.
● See chapter 6.

I am a resident alien and my spouse is a nonresident alien. Are ● See Nonresident Spouse Treated as a
there special rules for us? Resident in chapter 1.
● See Community Income in chapter 2.

Is all of my income subject to U.S. tax? ● See chapter 2.


● See chapter 3.

Is my scholarship subject to U.S. tax? ● See Scholarships, Grants, Prizes, and Awards
in chapter 2.
● See Scholarships and Fellowship Grants in
chapter 3.
● See chapter 9.

What is the tax rate on my income subject to U.S. tax? See chapter 4.

I moved to the United States this year. Can I deduct my moving See Deductions in chapter 5.
expenses on my U.S. return?

Can I claim exemptions for my spouse and children? See Exemptions in chapter 5.

I pay income taxes to my home country. Can I get credit for these See Tax Credits and Payments in chapter 5.
taxes on my U.S. tax return?

What forms must I file and when and where do I file them? See chapter 7.

How should I pay my U.S. income taxes? See chapter 8.

Am I eligible for any benefits under a tax treaty? ● See Income Entitled to Tax Treaty Benefits in
chapter 8.
● See chapter 9.

Are employees of foreign governments and international See chapter 10.


organizations exempt from U.S. tax?

Is there anything special I have to do before leaving the United ● See chapter 11.
States? ● See Expatriation Tax in chapter 4.

Foreign earned income exclusion. For wise be blank. You can help bring these States Tax Withholding, should be pro-
1999, the foreign earned income exclusion is children home by looking at the photographs vided to a withholding agent or payer by
$74,000. The exclusion increases to $76,000 and calling 1–800–THE–LOST (1–800–843– a beneficial owner of certain types of in-
for 2000. For more information see chapter 5678) if you recognize a child. come to:
3.
a) Establish foreign status,
Documentation requirements. The Internal
Estimated tax safe harbor for higher in- Revenue Service issued new regulations re- b) Claim that such person is the ben-
come individuals. For installment payments lating to the withholding of income tax on eficial owner of the income for
for tax years beginning in 2000, the estimated certain U.S. source income paid to foreign which the form is being furnished,
tax safe harbor for higher income individuals persons. The IRS has extended the effective and
(other than farmers and fishermen) has been date of these regulations. They will now apply
modified. If your adjusted gross income is to payments made beginning January 1, c) If applicable, claim a reduced rate
more than $150,000 ($75,000 if married filing 2001. of, or exemption from, withholding
a separate return), you will have to deposit In 2000 you may be asked to give with- as a resident of a foreign country
the smaller of 90% of your expected tax for holding agents new withholding certificates with which the United States has
2000 or 108.6% of the tax shown on your that contain the necessary information and an income tax treaty.
1999 return to avoid an estimated tax penalty. representations required by the new regu-
lations. 2) Form W–8ECI, Certificate of Foreign
Photographs of missing children. The The following are the withholding certif- Person's Claim for Exemption From
Internal Revenue Service is a proud partner icates that you may be asked to complete and Withholding on Income Effectively Con-
with the National Center for Missing and Ex- submit. nected With the Conduct of a Trade or
ploited Children. Photographs of missing Business in the United States, should be
children selected by the Center may appear 1) Form W–8BEN, Certificate of Foreign provided to a withholding agent or payer
in this publication on pages that would other- Status of Beneficial Owner for United by a foreign person to:
Page 2
a) Establish foreign status, Nonresident aliens who filed Form
1040NR or Form 1040NR–EZ with the Inter-
b) Claim that such person is the ben-
eficial owner of the income for
nal Revenue Service Center, Philadelphia, Nonresident Aliens
PA 19255, should send the form there. Resi- If you are an alien (not a U.S. citizen), you
which the form is being furnished, dent aliens should send the form to the
and are considered a nonresident alien unless you
Internal Revenue Service Center for their old meet one of the two tests described next un-
c) Claim that certain income is effec- address (addresses for the Service Centers der Resident Aliens.
tively connected with the conduct are on the back of the form).
of a trade or business in the United
States. Expatriation tax. If you are a former U.S.
citizen or former long-term U.S. resident,
The new certificates will replace the fol- special tax rules may apply to you. See Resident Aliens
lowing existing forms and statement. Expatriation Tax in chapter 4. You are a resident alien of the United States
• Form W–8, Certificate of Foreign Status. for tax purposes if you meet either the green
card test or the substantial presence test
• Form 1001, Ownership, Exemption, or for the calendar year (January 1–December
Reduced Rate Certificate. 31). Even if you do not meet either of these
• Form 1078, Certificate of Alien Claiming tests, you may be able to choose to be
treated as a U.S. resident for part of the year.
Residence in the United States.
• Form 4224, Exemption From Withholding
1. See First-Year Choice under Dual Status Al-
iens, later.
of Tax on Income Effectively Connected
With the Conduct of a Trade or Business
in the United States.
Nonresident Green Card Test
• Statement under regulation section
1.1441–5, relating to an individual's claim
Alien or You are a resident for tax purposes if you are
a lawful permanent resident of the United
to be a U.S. citizen or resident. Resident Alien? States at any time during the calendar year.
(However, see Dual Status Aliens, later.) This
Tax payment. If you pay your tax by check is known as the “green card” test. You are a
or money order, make it payable to the lawful permanent resident of the United
“United States Treasury.” States at any time if you have been given the
privilege, according to the immigration laws,
Introduction of residing permanently in the United States
You should first determine whether, for in- as an immigrant. You generally have this
Important Reminders come tax purposes, you are a nonresident
alien or a resident alien. Figure 1–A will help
status if the Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS) has issued you an alien regis-
you find whether you are a nonresident or tration card, also known as a “green card.”
Individual taxpayer identification number
resident alien. You continue to have resident status under
(ITIN). The IRS will issue an ITIN to a non-
If you are both a nonresident and resident this test unless the status is taken away from
resident or resident alien who does not have
in the same year, you have a dual status. you or is administratively or judicially deter-
and is not eligible to get a social security
Dual status is explained later. Also explained mined to have been abandoned.
number. To apply for an ITIN, file Form W–7,
Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Iden- later are a choice to treat your nonresident
tification Number, with the IRS. An ITIN is for spouse as a resident and some other special Resident status taken away. Resident sta-
tax use only. It does not entitle the holder to situations. tus is considered to have been taken away
social security benefits or change the holder's from you if the U.S. government issues you
employment or immigration status under U.S. a final administrative or judicial order of ex-
Topics clusion or deportation. A final judicial order
law. See Identification Number in chapter 5. This chapter discusses:
is an order that you may no longer appeal to
Disclosure of a treaty-based position that a higher court of competent jurisdiction.
• How to determine if you are a nonresi-
reduces your tax. If you take the position dent, resident, or dual-status alien
that any U.S. tax is overruled or otherwise Resident status abandoned. An adminis-
reduced by a U.S. treaty (a treaty-based po- • How to treat a nonresident spouse as a trative or judicial determination of abandon-
sition), you generally must disclose that posi- resident alien ment of resident status may be initiated by
tion on your affected return. See Effect of Tax you, the INS, or a U.S. consular officer.
Treaties in chapter 1. If you initiate the determination, your
Useful Items resident status is considered to be aban-
Form 1040NR–EZ. You may be able to use You may want to see: doned when you file either of the following
Form 1040NR–EZ, U.S. Income Tax Return with the INS or U.S. consular officer:
for Certain Nonresident Aliens With No De-
pendents. This form is shorter and easier to Form (and Instructions) 1) Your application for abandonment, or
prepare than Form 1040NR. To see if you
 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return 2) Your Alien Registration Receipt Card at-
meet the conditions for filing this form, see
Form 1040NR–EZ in chapter 7. tached to a letter stating your intent to
 1040A U.S. Individual Income Tax Re- abandon your resident status.
turn
Earned income credit for nonresident al-
 1040NR U.S. Nonresident Alien Income You must file the letter by certified mail, return
iens. If you are a nonresident alien for any
Tax Return receipt requested. You must keep a copy of
part of the year, you cannot claim the earned
the letter and proof that it was mailed and
income credit unless you elect to be treated  8833 Treaty-Based Return Position received.
as a resident alien for tax purposes.
Disclosure Under Section 6114 If the INS or U.S. consular officer initiates
or 7701(b) this determination, your resident status will
Leaving the United States. Generally, al- be considered to be abandoned when the
iens must obtain a sailing permit or departure  8840 Closer Connection Exception
final administrative order of abandonment is
permit before leaving the United States. See Statement for Aliens issued. If you are granted an appeal to a
chapter 11 for more information. federal court of competent jurisdiction, a final
 8843 Statement for Exempt Individuals
and Individuals With a Medical judicial order is required.
Change of address. If you change your
Condition
mailing address, be sure to notify the Internal A long-term resident who ceases to
Revenue Service using Form 8822, Change
of Address.
See chapter 12 for information about get-
ting these forms.
!
CAUTION
be a lawful permanent resident may
be subject to special reporting re-
Chapter 1 Nonresident Alien or Resident Alien? Page 3
quirements and tax provisions. See • Days you are an exempt individual. Medical condition. Do not count the days
Expatriation Tax in chapter 4. you intended to leave, but could not leave the
The specific rules that apply to each of these United States because of a medical condition
categories are discussed next. or problem that developed while you were in
Substantial Presence Test the United States. Whether you intended to
You will be considered a U.S. resident for tax leave the United States on a particular day is
Regular commuters from Canada or
purposes if you meet the substantial presence determined based on all the facts and cir-
Mexico. Do not count the days on which you
test for the calendar year. To meet this test, cumstances. For example, you may be able
commute to work in the United States from
you must be physically present in the United to establish that you intended to leave if your
your residence in Canada or Mexico if you
States on at least: purpose for visiting the United States could
regularly commute from Canada or Mexico.
be accomplished during a period that is not
You are considered to commute regularly if
1) 31 days during the current year, and long enough to qualify you for the substantial
you commute to work in the United States on
presence test. However, if you need an ex-
2) 183 days during the 3-year period that more than 75% of the workdays during your
tended period of time to accomplish the pur-
includes the current year and the 2 years working period.
pose of your visit and that period would
immediately before that, counting: For this purpose, “commute” means to
qualify you for the substantial presence test,
travel to work and return to your residence
a) All the days you were present in the you would not be able to establish an intent
within a 24-hour period. “Workdays” are the
current year, and to leave the United States before the end of
days on which you work in the United States
that extended period.
b) 13
/ of the days you were present in or Canada or Mexico. “Working period”
In the case of an individual who is judged
the first year before the current means the period beginning with the first day
mentally incompetent, proof of intent to leave
year, and in the current year on which you are phys-
the United States can be determined by ana-
ically present in the United States to work and
c) 16
/ of the days you were present in lyzing the individual's pattern of behavior be-
ending on the last day in the current year on
the second year before the current fore he or she was judged mentally incom-
which you are physically present in the United
year. petent.
States to work. If your work requires you to
If you qualify to exclude days of presence
be present in the United States only on a
Example. You were physically present in because of a medical condition, you must file
seasonal or cyclical basis, your working pe-
the United States on 120 days in each of the a fully completed Form 8843 with the IRS.
riod begins on the first day of the season or
years 1997, 1998, and 1999. To determine if See Form 8843, later.
cycle on which you are present in the United
you meet the substantial presence test for You cannot exclude any days of presence
States to work and ends on the last day of the
1999, count the full 120 days of presence in in the United States under the following cir-
season or cycle on which you are present in
1999, 40 days in 1998 (1/3 of 120), and 20 cumstances.
the United States to work. You can have more
days in 1997 (1/6 of 120). Since the total for than one working period in a calendar year,
the 3-year period is 180 days, you are not 1) You were initially prevented from leav-
and your working period can begin in one ing, were then able to leave, but re-
considered a resident under the substantial calendar year and end in the following calen-
presence test for 1999. mained in the United States beyond a
dar year. reasonable period for making arrange-
The term United States includes the fol- ments to leave.
Example. Maria Perez lives in Mexico
lowing: 2) You returned to the United States for
and works for Compania ABC in its office in
1) All 50 states and the District of Mexico. She was assigned to her firm's office treatment of a medical condition that
Columbia, in the United States from February 1 through developed during a prior stay.
June 1. On June 2, she resumed her em-
2) The territorial waters of the United 3) The condition existed before your arrival
ployment in Mexico. On 69 days, Maria com-
States, and in the United States and you were aware
muted each morning from her home in Mexico
of the condition. It does not matter
to work in Compania ABC's U.S. office. She
3) The seabed and subsoil of those sub- whether you needed treatment for the
returned to her home in Mexico on each of
marine areas that are adjacent to U.S. condition when you entered the United
those evenings. On 7 days, she worked in her
territorial waters and over which the States.
firm's Mexico office. For purposes of the
United States has exclusive rights under
substantial presence test, Maria does not
international law to explore and exploit Exempt individual. Do not count days for
count the days she commuted to work in the
natural resources. which you are an exempt individual. The term
United States because those days equal
more than 75% of the workdays during the “exempt individual” does not refer to someone
The term does not include U.S. possessions exempt from U.S. tax, but to anyone in the
and territories or U.S. airspace. working period (69 workdays in the United
States divided by 76 workdays in the working following categories.
period equals 90.8%). 1) An individual temporarily present in the
Days of Presence
United States as a foreign government-
in the United States Days in transit. Do not count the days you related individual.
You are treated as present in the United are in the United States for less than 24 hours
States on any day you are physically present and you are in transit between two places 2) A teacher or trainee temporarily present
in the country at any time during the day. outside the United States. You are considered in the United States under a “J” or “Q”
However, there are exceptions to this rule. to be in transit if you engage in activities that visa, who substantially complies with the
Do not count the following as days of pres- are substantially related to completing travel requirements of the visa.
ence in the United States for the substantial to your foreign destination. For example, if 3) A student temporarily present in the
presence test. you travel between airports in the United United States under an “F,” “J,” “M,” or
States to change planes en route to your for- “Q” visa, who substantially complies with
• Days you commute to work in the United eign destination, you are considered to be in the requirements of the visa.
States from a residence in Canada or transit. However, you are not considered to
Mexico if you regularly commute from be in transit if you attend a business meeting 4) A professional athlete temporarily in the
Canada or Mexico. while in the United States. This is true even United States to compete in a charitable
if the meeting is held at the airport. sports event.
• Days you are in the United States for less
than 24 hours when you are in transit The specific rules for each of these four
between two places outside the United Crew members. Do not count the days you categories are discussed next.
States. are temporarily present in the United States Foreign government-related individ-
as a regular crew member of a foreign vessel uals. A foreign government-related individual
• Days you are in the United States as a engaged in transportation between the United
crew member of a foreign vessel. is an individual (or a member of the individ-
States and a foreign country or a U.S. pos- ual's immediate family) who is temporarily
• Days you are unable to leave the United session. However, this exception does not present in the United States:
States because of a medical condition apply if you otherwise engage in any trade
that develops while you are in the United or business in the United States on those 1) As a full-time employee of an interna-
States. days. tional organization,
Page 4 Chapter 1 Nonresident Alien or Resident Alien?
Figure 1-A. Nonresident Alien or Resident Alien?

Start here to determine your status for 1999

Were you a lawful permanent resident of the United States (had a


“green card”) at any time during 1999?

Yes No


Were you physically present in the United States on at least 31
days during 1999?3

Yes No


Were you physically present in the United States on at least 183
days during the 3-year period consisting of 1997, 1998, and
1999, counting all days of presence in 1999, 1⁄3 the days of
 presence in 1998, and 1⁄6 the days of presence in 1997?3 
You are a 4 You are a
resident alien Yes No nonresident

for U.S. tax alien for U.S.
purposes.1,2  tax purposes.
  Were you physically present in the United States on at least 183 
days during 1999?

Yes No


Can you show that for 1999 you have a tax home in a foreign
country and have a closer connection to that country than to the
United States?

No Yes

1
If this is your first or last year of residency, you may have a dual status for the year. See the discussion of Dual Status Aliens in chapter 1.
2
In some circumstances you may still be considered a nonresident alien under an income tax treaty between the U.S. and your country. Check the provisions of
the treaty carefully.
3
See Days of Presence in the United States in this chapter for days that do not count as days of presence in the United States.
4
If you meet the substantial presence test for 2000, you may be able to choose treatment as a U.S. resident alien for part of 1999. For details see Substantial
Presence Test under Resident Aliens and First-year choice under Dual-Status Aliens in chapter 1.

2) By reason of diplomatic status, or 3) Has been recognized by the President, U.S. immigration laws and could result in the
Secretary of State, or a consular officer loss of your visa status.
3) By reason of a visa (other than a visa as being entitled to that status. Also included are immediate family mem-
that grants lawful permanent residence) bers of exempt teachers and trainees. See
that the Secretary of the Treasury de- Members of the immediate family include the definition of immediate family, earlier, un-
termines represents full-time diplomatic the individual's spouse and unmarried chil- der Foreign government-related individuals.
or consular status. dren (whether by blood or adoption) but only You will not be an exempt individual as a
if the spouse's or unmarried children's visa teacher or trainee if you were exempt as a
statuses are derived from and dependent on teacher, trainee, or student for any part of 2
An international organization is any the exempt individual's visa classification. of the 6 preceding calendar years. However,
public international organization that the Unmarried children are included only if they: you will be an exempt individual if you were
President of the United States has designated
exempt as a teacher, trainee, or student for
by Executive Order as being entitled to the 1) Are under 21 years of age, any part of 3 (or fewer) of the 6 preceding
privileges, exemptions, and immunities pro-
2) Reside regularly in the exempt individ- calendar years and:
vided for in the International Organizations
Act. An individual is a full-time employee if ual's household, and
1) A foreign employer paid all your com-
his or her work schedule meets the organ- 3) Are not members of another household. pensation during the current year, and
ization's standard full-time work schedule.
An individual is considered to have full- 2) A foreign employer paid all of your com-
time diplomatic or consular status if he or The immediate family of an exempt individual pensation during each of the preceding
she: does not include attendants, servants, or 6 years you were present in the United
personal employees. States as a teacher or trainee.
Teachers and trainees. A teacher or
1) Has been accredited by a foreign gov- trainee is an individual, other than a student, A foreign employer includes an office or place
ernment that is recognized by the United who is temporarily in the United States under of business of an American entity in a foreign
States, a “J” or “Q” visa and substantially complies country or a U.S. possession.
with the requirements of that visa. You are If you qualify to exclude days of presence
2) Intends to engage primarily in official considered to have substantially complied as a teacher or trainee, you must file a fully
activities for that foreign government with the visa requirements if you have not completed Form 8843 with the IRS. See
while in the United States, and engaged in activities that are prohibited by Form 8843, later.
Chapter 1 Nonresident Alien or Resident Alien? Page 5
Example. Carla was temporarily in the Form 8843. If you exclude days of presence Tax home. Your tax home is the general
United States during the year as a teacher in the United States because you fall into any area of your main place of business, em-
on a “J” visa. Her compensation for the year of the following categories, you must file a ployment, or post of duty, regardless of where
was paid by a foreign employer. Carla was fully completed Form 8843. you maintain your family home. Your tax
treated as an exempt teacher for the past 2 home is the place where you permanently or
years but her compensation was not paid by 1) You were unable to leave the United indefinitely work as an employee or a self-
a foreign employer. She will not be consid- States as planned because of a medical employed individual. If you do not have a
ered an exempt individual for the current year condition. regular or main place of business because
because she was exempt as a teacher for at of the nature of your work, then your tax home
2) You were temporarily in the United
least 2 of the past 6 years. is the place where you regularly live. If you
States as a teacher or trainee on a “J”
If her compensation for the past 2 years do not fit either of these categories, you are
or “Q” visa.
had been paid by a foreign employer, she considered an itinerant and your tax home is
would be an exempt individual for the current 3) You were temporarily in the United wherever you work.
year. States as a student on an “F,” “J,” “M,” For determining whether you have a
or “Q” visa. closer connection to a foreign country, your
Students. A student is any individual who tax home must also be in existence for the
is temporarily in the United States on an “F,” 4) You were a professional athlete com- entire current year, and must be located in
“J,” “M,” or “Q” visa and who substantially peting in a charitable sports event. the same foreign country for which you are
complies with the requirements of that visa. claiming to have a closer connection.
You are considered to have substantially Attach Form 8843 to your 1999 income tax
complied with the visa requirements if you return. If you do not have to file a return, send
Foreign country. In determining whether
have not engaged in activities that are pro- Form 8843 to the Internal Revenue Service
you have a closer connection to a foreign
hibited by U.S. immigration laws and could Center, Philadelphia, PA 19255, by the due
country, the term “foreign country” means:
result in the loss of your visa status. date for filing an income tax return. The due
Also included are immediate family mem- date for filing is discussed in chapter 7. 1) Any territory under the sovereignty of the
bers of exempt students. See the definition If you do not timely file Form 8843, you United Nations or a government other
of immediate family, earlier, under Foreign cannot exclude the days you were present in than that of the United States,
government-related individuals. the United States as a professional athlete
You will not be an exempt individual as a or because of a medical condition that arose 2) The territorial waters of the foreign
student if you have been exempt as a while you were in the United States. This country (determined under U.S. law),
teacher, trainee, or student for any part of does not apply if you can show by clear and 3) The seabed and subsoil of those sub-
more than 5 calendar years unless you es- convincing evidence that you took reasonable marine areas which are adjacent to the
tablish to the satisfaction of the IRS district actions to become aware of the filing re- territorial waters of the foreign country
director that you do not intend to reside per- quirements and significant steps to comply and over which the foreign country has
manently in the United States and you have with those requirements. exclusive rights under international law
substantially complied with the requirements to explore and exploit natural resources,
of your visa. The facts and circumstances to Closer Connection and
be considered in determining if you have
demonstrated an intent to reside permanently to a Foreign Country 4) Possessions and territories of the United
in the United States include, but are not lim- Even if you meet the substantial presence States.
ited to: test, you can be treated as a nonresident al-
ien if you: Establishing a closer connection. You will
1) Whether you have maintained a closer be considered to have a closer connection to
connection to a foreign country (dis- 1) Are present in the United States for less a foreign country than the United States if you
cussed later), and than 183 days during the year, or the IRS establishes that you have main-
tained more significant contacts with the for-
2) Whether you have taken affirmative 2) Maintain a tax home in a foreign country
eign country than with the United States. In
steps to change your status from non- during the year, and
determining whether you have maintained
immigrant to lawful permanent resident 3) Have a closer connection during the year more significant contacts with the foreign
as discussed, later, under Closer Con- to one foreign country in which you have country than with the United States, the facts
nection to a Foreign Country. a tax home than to the United States and circumstances to be considered include,
(unless you have a closer connection to but are not limited to, the following.
If you qualify to exclude days of presence
two foreign countries, discussed next).
as a student, you must file a fully completed 1) The country of residence you designate
Form 8843 with the IRS. See Form 8843, on forms and documents.
later. Closer connection to two foreign coun-
Professional athletes. A professional tries. You can demonstrate that you have a 2) The types of official forms and docu-
athlete who is temporarily in the United States closer connection to two foreign countries ments you file, such as Form 1078,
to compete in a charitable sports event is an (but not more than two) if you meet all of the Certificate of Alien Claiming Residence
exempt individual. A charitable sports event following conditions: in the United States, or Form W–8, Cer-
is one that meets the following conditions: tificate of Foreign Status.
1) You maintained a tax home beginning
on the first day of the year in one foreign 3) The location of:
1) The main purpose is to benefit a qual-
ified charitable organization, country, a) Your permanent home,
2) The entire net proceeds go to charity, 2) You changed your tax home during the b) Your family,
and year to a second foreign country,
c) Your personal belongings, such as
3) Volunteers perform substantially all the 3) You continued to maintain your tax home cars, furniture, clothing, and jew-
work. in the second foreign country for the rest elry,
of the year,
d) Your current social, political, cul-
In figuring the days of presence in the 4) You had a closer connection to each tural, or religious affiliations,
United States, you can exclude only the days foreign country than to the United States
on which you actually competed in a sports for the period during which you main- e) Your business activities (other than
event. You cannot exclude the days on which tained a tax home in that foreign country, those that constitute your tax
you were in the United States to practice for and home),
the event, to perform promotional or other
activities related to the event, or to travel be- 5) You are subject to tax as a resident un- f) The jurisdiction in which you hold a
tween events. der the tax laws of either foreign country driver's license, and
If you qualify to exclude days of presence for the entire year or subject to tax as a g) The jurisdiction in which you vote.
as a professional athlete, you must file a fully resident in both foreign countries for the
completed Form 8843 with the IRS. See Form period during which you maintained a tax It does not matter whether your permanent
8843, next. home in each foreign country. home is a house, an apartment, or a furnished
Page 6 Chapter 1 Nonresident Alien or Resident Alien?
room. It also does not matter whether you rent Information to be reported. If you are a days of presence in the United States for
or own it. It is important, however, that your dual resident taxpayer and you claim treaty purposes of your residency starting date. You
home be available at all times, continuously, benefits, you must timely file a return (includ- must sign and date this statement and include
and not solely for short stays. ing extensions) using Form 1040NR or Form a declaration that it is made under penalties
You cannot claim you have a closer con- 1040NR–EZ, and compute your tax as a of perjury. The statement must contain the
nection to a foreign country if either of the nonresident alien. You must also attach a fully following information (as applicable).
following applies: completed Form 8833. See Reporting Treaty
Benefits Claimed in chapter 9 for more infor- 1) Your name, address, U.S. taxpayer
1) You personally applied, or took other mation on reporting treaty benefits. identification number (if any), and U.S.
steps during the year, to change your visa number (if any).
status to that of a permanent resident,
or 2) Your passport number and the name of
the country that issued your passport.
2) You had an application pending for ad- Dual Status Aliens
justment of status during the current 3) The tax year for which the statement
You can be both a nonresident alien and a
year. applies.
resident alien during the same tax year. This
usually occurs in the year you arrive or depart 4) The first day that you were present in the
Steps to change your status to that of a per- from the United States. Aliens who have dual
manent resident include, but are not limited United States during the year.
status should see chapter 6 for information
to, the filing of the following forms. on filing a return for a dual-status tax year. 5) The dates of the days you are excluding
in figuring your first day of residency.
Form I–508, Waiver of Rights, Privileges,
Exemptions and Immunities First Year of Residency 6) Sufficient facts to establish that you have
maintained your tax home in and a
Form I–485, Application to Register Perma- If you are a U.S. resident for the calendar closer connection to a foreign country
nent Residence or Adjust Status year, but you were not a U.S. resident at any during the period you are excluding.
time during the preceding calendar year, you
Form I–130, Petition for Alien Relative, on are a U.S. resident only for the part of the
your behalf Attach the required statement to your in-
calendar year that begins on the residency
come tax return. If you are not required to file
Form I–140, Immigrant Petition for Alien starting date. You are a nonresident alien for
a return, send the statement to the Internal
Worker, on your behalf the part of the year before that date.
Revenue Service Center, Philadelphia, PA
19255, on or before the due date for filing an
Form ETA–750, Application for Alien Em- Residency starting date under substantial income tax return. The due date for filing is
ployment Certification, on your behalf presence test. If you meet the substantial discussed in chapter 7.
presence test for a calendar year, your resi- If you do not file the required statement
Form OF–230, Application for Immigrant Visa
dency starting date is generally the first day as explained above, you cannot claim that
and Alien Registration
you are present in the United States during you have a closer connection to a foreign
that calendar year. However, you do not have country or countries. Therefore, your first day
Form 8840. You must attach a fully com- to count up to 10 days of actual presence in
pleted Form 8840 to your income tax return of residency will be the first day you are
the United States if on those days you es- present in the United States. This does not
to claim you have a closer connection to a tablish that:
foreign country or countries. apply if you can show by clear and convincing
If you do not have to file a return, send the evidence that you took reasonable actions to
1) You had a closer connection to a foreign become aware of the requirements for filing
form to the Internal Revenue Service Center, country than to the United States, and
Philadelphia, PA 19255, by the due date for the statement and significant steps to comply
filing an income tax return. The due date for 2) Your tax home was in that foreign coun- with those requirements.
filing is discussed later in chapter 7. try.
If you do not timely file Form 8840, you Residency starting date under green card
cannot claim a closer connection to a foreign See Closer Connection to a Foreign test. If you meet the green card test at any
country or countries. This does not apply if Country, earlier. time during a calendar year, but do not meet
you can show by clear and convincing evi- In determining whether you can exclude the substantial presence test for that year,
dence that you took reasonable actions to up to 10 days, the following rules apply. your residency starting date is the first day
become aware of the filing requirements and in the calendar year on which you are present
1) You can exclude days from more than
significant steps to comply with those re- in the United States as a lawful permanent
one period of presence as long as the
quirements. resident.
total days in all periods are not more
If you meet both the substantial presence
than 10.
test and the green card test, your residency
Effect of Tax Treaties 2) You cannot exclude any days in a period starting date is the earlier of the first day
The rules given here to determine if you are of consecutive days of presence if all the during the year you are present in the United
a U.S. resident do not override tax treaty de- days in that period cannot be excluded. States under the substantial presence test or
finitions of residency. If your residency is de- as a lawful permanent resident.
termined under a treaty and not under the 3) Although you can exclude up to 10 days
rules discussed here, you must file a fully of presence in determining your resi- Residency during the preceding year. If
completed Form 8833 if the payments or in- dency starting date, you must include you were a U.S. resident during any part of
come items reportable because of that deter- those days when determining whether the preceding calendar year and you are a
mination are more than $100,000. If you are you meet the substantial presence test. U.S. resident for any part of the current year,
a dual resident taxpayer, you can still claim you will be considered a U.S. resident at the
the benefits under an income tax treaty. A Example. Ivan Ivanovich is a citizen of beginning of the current year. This applies
dual resident taxpayer is one who is a resi- Russia. He came to the United States for the whether you are a resident under the sub-
dent of both the United States and another first time on January 6, 1999, to attend a stantial presence test or green card test.
country under each country's tax laws. The business meeting and returned to Russia on
income tax treaty between the two countries January 10, 1999. His tax home remained in Example. Robert Bach is a citizen of
must contain a provision that provides for Russia. On March 1, 1999, he moved to the Switzerland. He came to the United States
resolution of conflicting claims of residence. United States and resided here for the rest as a U.S. resident for the first time on May
If you are treated as a resident of a foreign of the year. Ivan is able to establish a closer 1, 1998, and remained until November 5,
country under a tax treaty, you are treated as connection to Russia for the period January 1998, when he returned to Switzerland.
a nonresident alien in figuring your U.S. in- 6–10. Thus, his residency starting date is Robert came back to the United States on
come tax. For purposes other than figuring March 1. March 5, 1999, as a lawful permanent resi-
your tax, you will be treated as a U.S. resi- dent and still resides here. In calendar year
dent. For example, the rules discussed here Statement required to exclude up to 10 1999, Robert's U.S. residency is deemed to
do not affect your residency time periods as days of presence. You must file a statement begin on January 1, 1999, because he qual-
discussed, later, under Dual Status Aliens. with the IRS if you are excluding up to 10 ified as a resident in calendar year 1998.
Chapter 1 Nonresident Alien or Resident Alien? Page 7
First-Year Choice 2) That you were not a resident in 1998, • You and your spouse are taxed on
If you do not meet either the green card test 3) That you are a resident under the sub- worldwide income.
or the substantial presence test for 1998 or stantial presence test in 2000, • You and your spouse must file a joint
1999 and you did not choose to be treated return for the year of the choice.
as a resident for part of 1998, but you meet 4) The number of days of presence in the
United States during 2000, • Neither you nor your spouse can make
the substantial presence test for 2000, you this choice for any later tax year, even if
can choose to be treated as a U.S. resident 5) The date or dates of your 31-day period you are separated, divorced, or remar-
for part of 1999. To make this choice, you of presence and the period of continuous ried.
must: presence in the United States during
1999, and • The special instructions and restrictions
1) Be present in the United States for at for dual-status taxpayers in chapter 6 do
least 31 days in a row in 1999, and 6) The date or dates of absence from the not apply to you.
United States during 1999 that you are
2) Be present in the United States for at treating as days of presence. Note. A similar choice is available if, at
least 75% of the number of days begin- the end of the tax year, one spouse is a
ning with the first day of the 31-day pe- You cannot file Form 1040 or the statement nonresident alien and the other spouse is a
riod and ending with the last day of 1999. until you meet the substantial presence test U.S. citizen or resident. See Nonresident Al-
For purposes of this 75% requirement, for 2000. If you have not met the test for 2000 ien Spouse Treated as a Resident. If you
you can treat up to 5 days of absence as of April 15, 2000, you can request an ex- previously made that choice and it is still in
from the United States as days of pres- tension of time for filing your 1999 Form 1040 effect, you do not need to make the choice
ence in the United States. until a reasonable period after you have met explained here.
that test. To request an extension to file, use
When counting the days of presence in (1) Form 4868, Application for Automatic Exten- Making the choice. You should attach a
and (2) above, do not count the days you sion of Time To File U.S. Individual Income statement signed by both spouses to your
were in the United States under any of the Tax Return. You should pay with this form the joint return for the year of the choice that
exceptions discussed, earlier, under Days of amount of tax you expect to owe for 1999 contains the following information:
Presence in the United States. figured as if you were a nonresident alien the
If you make the first-year choice, your entire year. You can use Form 1040NR or 1) A declaration that you both qualify to
residency starting date for 1999 is the first day Form 1040NR–EZ to figure the tax. Enter the make the choice and that you choose to
of the earliest 31-day period (described in (1) tax on Form 4868. If you do not pay the tax be treated as U.S. residents for the en-
above) that you use to qualify for the choice. due, you will be charged interest on any tax tire tax year, and
You are treated as a U.S. resident for the rest not paid by the regular due date of your re-
2) The name, address, and taxpayer iden-
of the year. If you are present for more than turn, and you may be charged a penalty on
tification number (SSN or ITIN) of each
one 31-day period and you satisfy condition the late payment. If you need more time after
spouse. (If one spouse died, include the
(2) above for each of those periods, your filing Form 4868, file Form 2688, Application
name and address of the person who
residency starting date is the first day of the for Additional Extension of Time To File U.S.
makes the choice for the deceased
first 31-day period. If you are present for Individual Income Tax Return. If you pay the
spouse.)
more than one 31-day period but you satisfy tax due by credit card, you do not file Form
condition (2) above only for a later 31-day 4868. See the form instructions for informa- You generally make this choice when you
period, your residency starting date is the first tion on paying by credit card. file your joint return. However, you also can
day of the later 31-day period. Once you make the first-year choice, you make the choice by filing Form 1040X. Attach
may not revoke it without the approval of the Form 1040, Form 1040A, or Form 1040EZ
Example 1. Juan DaSilva is a citizen of Internal Revenue Service. and write “Amended” across the top of the
the Philippines. He came to the United States If you do not follow the procedures dis- corrected return. If you make the choice with
for the first time on November 1, 1999, and cussed here for making the first-year choice, an amended return, you and your spouse
was here on 31 consecutive days (from No- you will be treated as a nonresident alien for must also amend any returns that you may
vember 1 through December 1, 1999). Juan all of 1999. However, this does not apply if have filed after the year for which you made
returned to the Philippines on December 1 you can show by clear and convincing evi- the choice.
and came back to the United States on De- dence that you took reasonable actions to You generally must file the amended joint
cember 17, 1999. He stayed in the United become aware of the filing procedures and return within 3 years from the date you filed
States for the rest of the year. During 2000, significant steps to comply with the proce- your original U.S. income tax return or 2 years
Juan was a resident of the United States un- dures. from the date you paid your income tax for
der the substantial presence test. Juan can that year, whichever is later.
make the first-year choice for 1999 because
he was in the United States in 1999 for a Choosing Resident
period of 31 days in a row (November 1 Alien Status Last Year of Residency
through December 1) and for at least 75% of If you were a U.S. resident in 1999 but are
If you are a dual-status alien, you can choose
the days following (and including) the first day not a U.S. resident during any part of 2000,
to be treated as a U.S. resident for the entire
of his 31-day period (46 total days of pres- you cease to be a U.S. resident on your res-
year if:
ence in the United States divided by 61 days idency termination date. Your residency
in the period from November 1 through De- 1) You were a nonresident alien at the be- termination date is December 31, 1999, un-
cember 31 equals 75.4%). If Juan makes the ginning of the year, less you qualify for an earlier date as dis-
first-year choice, his residency starting date cussed next.
will be November 1, 1999. 2) You are a resident alien or U.S. citizen
at the end of the year, Earlier residency termination date. You
Example 2. The facts are the same as in may qualify for a residency termination date
Example 1, except that Juan was also absent 3) You are married to a U.S. citizen or res-
ident alien at the end of the year, and that is earlier than December 31. This date is:
from the United States on December 24, 25,
29, 30, and 31. He can make the first-year 4) Your spouse joins you in making the 1) The last day in 1999 that you are phys-
choice for 1999 because up to 5 days of ab- choice. ically present in the United States, if you
sence are considered days of presence for met the substantial presence test,
purposes of the 75% requirement. This includes situations in which both you and
your spouse were nonresident aliens at the 2) The first day in 1999 that you are no
Statement required to make the first- beginning of the tax year and both of you are longer a lawful permanent resident of the
year choice. You must attach a statement resident aliens at the end of the tax year. United States, if you met the green card
to Form 1040 to make the first-year choice. If you make this choice, the following rules test, or
The statement must contain your name and apply. 3) The later of (1) or (2), if you met both
address and specify the following: tests.
• You and your spouse are treated as U.S.
1) That you are making the first-year residents for the entire year for income You can use this date only if, for the remain-
choice, tax purposes. der of 1999, your tax home was in a foreign
Page 8 Chapter 1 Nonresident Alien or Resident Alien?
country and you had a closer connection to 4) The last day that you were present in the year they make the choice, but they can file
that foreign country. See Closer Connection United States during the year. either joint or separate returns for later years.
to a Foreign Country, earlier.
5) Sufficient facts to establish you have
A long-term resident who ceases to maintained your tax home in and that How To Make the Choice
! be a lawful permanent resident may
CAUTION be subject to special reporting re-
you have a closer connection to a foreign
country following your last day of pres-
Attach a statement, signed by both spouses,
to your joint return for the first tax year for
quirements and tax provisions. See ence in the United States during the year which the choice applies. It should contain
Expatriation Tax in chapter 4. or following the abandonment or the following information.
rescission of your status as a lawful
De minimis presence. If you are a U.S. permanent resident during the year. 1) A declaration that one spouse was a
resident because of the substantial presence nonresident alien and the other spouse
6) The date that your status as a lawful
test and you qualify to use the earlier resi- a U.S. citizen or resident alien on the last
permanent resident was abandoned or
dency termination date, you can exclude up day of your tax year, and that you
rescinded.
to 10 days of actual presence in the United choose to be treated as U.S. residents
States in determining your residency termi- 7) Sufficient facts (including copies of rele- for the entire tax year.
nation date. In determining whether you can vant documents) to establish that your 2) The name, address, and identification
exclude up to 10 days, the following rules status as a lawful permanent resident number of each spouse. (If one spouse
apply. has been abandoned or rescinded. died, include the name and address of
8) If you can exclude days under the de the person making the choice for the
1) You can exclude days from more than
minimis presence rule, discussed earlier, deceased spouse.)
one period of presence as long as the
total days in all periods are not more include the dates of the days you are
You generally make this choice when you
than 10. excluding and sufficient facts to establish
file your joint return. However, you can also
that you have maintained your tax home
2) You cannot exclude any days in a period make the choice by filing a joint amended
in and that you have a closer connection
of consecutive days of presence if all the return on Form 1040X. Attach Form 1040,
to a foreign country during the period you
days in that period cannot be excluded. Form 1040A, or Form 1040EZ and write
are excluding.
“Amended” across the top of the corrected
return. If you make the choice with an
Attach the required statement to your in-
3) Although you can exclude up to 10 days amended return, you and your spouse must
come tax return. If you are not required to file
of presence in determining your resi- also amend any returns that you may have
a return, send the statement to the Internal
dency termination date, you must include filed after the year for which you made the
Revenue Service Center, Philadelphia, PA
those days when determining whether choice.
19255, on or before the due date for filing an
you meet the substantial presence test. You generally must file the amended joint
income tax return. The due date for filing is
return within 3 years from the date you filed
Example. Lola Bovary is a citizen of discussed in chapter 7.
your original U.S. income tax return or 2 years
Malta. She came to the United States for the If you do not file the required statement
from the date you paid your income tax for
first time on March 1, 1999, and resided here as explained above, you cannot claim that
that year, whichever is later.
until August 25, 1999. On December 12, you have a closer connection to a foreign
1999, Lola came to the United States for va- country or countries. This does not apply if If you file a joint return under this
cation and stayed here until December 16, you can show by clear and convincing evi-
dence that you took reasonable actions to
! provision, the special instructions and
CAUTION restrictions for dual-status taxpayers
1999, when she returned to Malta. She is able
to establish a closer connection to Malta for become aware of the requirements for filing in chapter 6 do not apply to you.
the period December 12–16. Lola is not a the statement and significant steps to comply
with those requirements.
U.S. resident for tax purposes during 2000 Suspending the Choice
and can establish a closer connection to The choice to be treated as a resident alien
Malta for the rest of calendar year 1999. Lola does not apply to any tax year (after the tax
is a U.S. resident under the substantial pres- year you made the choice) if neither spouse
ence test for 1999 because she was present
in the United States for 183 days (178 days
Nonresident Spouse is a U.S. citizen or resident alien at any time
during the tax year.
for the period March 1 to August 25 plus 5 Treated as a Resident
days in December). Lola's residency termi- Example. Dick Brown was a resident al-
nation date is August 25, 1999. If, at the end of your tax year, you are married
ien on December 31, 1996, and married to
and one spouse is a U.S. citizen or a resident
Judy, a nonresident alien. They chose to treat
alien and the other spouse is a nonresident
Residency during the next year. If you are Judy as a resident alien and filed joint 1996
alien, you can choose to treat the nonresident
a U.S. resident during any part of 2000 and and 1997 income tax returns. On January 10,
spouse as a U.S. resident. This includes sit-
you are a resident during any part of 1999, 1998, Dick became a nonresident alien. Judy
uations in which one spouse is a nonresident
you will be taxed as a resident through the had remained a nonresident alien throughout
alien at the beginning of the tax year, but a
end of 1999. This applies whether you have the period. Dick and Judy could have filed
resident alien at the end of the year, and the
a closer connection to a foreign country than joint or separate returns for 1998. However,
other spouse is a nonresident alien at the end
the United States during 1999, and whether since neither Dick nor Judy is a resident alien
of the year.
you are a resident under the substantial at any time during 1999, their choice is sus-
If you make this choice, you and your
presence test or green card test. pended for that year. If either has U.S. source
spouse are treated for income tax purposes
income or foreign source income effectively
as residents for your entire tax year. Gener-
Statement required to establish your resi- connected with a U.S. trade or business in
ally, neither you nor your spouse can claim
dency termination date. You must file a 1999, they must file separate returns as non-
tax treaty benefits as a resident of a foreign
statement with the IRS to establish your resi- resident aliens. If Dick becomes a resident
country for a tax year for which the choice is
dency termination date. You must sign and alien again in 1999, their choice is no longer
in effect and you are both taxed on worldwide
date this statement and include a declaration suspended.
income. You must file a joint income tax re-
that it is made under penalties of perjury. The turn for the year you make the choice, but you
statement must contain the following infor- and your spouse can file joint or separate re- Ending the Choice
mation (as applicable). turns in later years. Once made, the choice to be treated as a
resident applies to all later years unless sus-
1) Your name, address, U.S. taxpayer Example. Bob and Sharon Williams are pended (as explained above) or ended in one
identification number (if any), and U.S. married and both are nonresident aliens at of the following ways.
visa number (if any). the beginning of the year. In June, Bob be- If the choice is ended in one of the fol-
2) Your passport number and the name of came a resident alien and remained a resi- lowing ways, neither spouse can make this
the country that issued your passport. dent for the rest of the year. Bob and Sharon choice in any later tax year.
both choose to be treated as resident aliens
3) The tax year for which the statement by attaching a statement to their joint return. 1) Revocation. Either spouse can revoke
applies. Bob and Sharon must file a joint return for the the choice for any tax year, provided he
Chapter 1 Nonresident Alien or Resident Alien? Page 9
or she makes the revocation by the due Samoa or Puerto Rico for the entire tax year, discussions cover the general rules as well
date for filing the tax return for that tax you are taxed as a nonresident alien. as the exceptions to these rules.
year. The spouse who revokes must at- Resident aliens who formerly were bona
tach a signed statement declaring that fide residents of American Samoa or Puerto Not all items of U.S. source income
the choice is being revoked. The state- Rico are taxed according to the rules for res- TIP are taxable. See chapter 3.
ment must include the name, address, ident aliens.
and identification number of each
spouse. (If one spouse dies, include the
Interest
name and address of the person who is Generally, income from U.S. sources includes
revoking the choice for the deceased interest on bonds, notes, or other interest-
spouse.) The statement also must in- bearing obligations of U.S. residents or do-
mestic corporations. Interest from U.S.
clude a list of any states, foreign coun-
tries, and possessions that have com- 2. sources also includes interest paid by a do-
munity property laws in which either mestic or foreign partnership or foreign cor-
poration engaged in a U.S. trade or business
spouse is domiciled or where real prop-
erty is located from which either spouse Source of at any time during the tax year. Interest in-
come also includes original issue discount. In
receives income. File the statement as
follows: Income addition, all interest received by a nonresident
alien individual from a state, the District of
a) If the spouse revoking the choice Columbia, or the U.S. Government during the
must file a return, attach the state- tax year is income from U.S. sources.
ment to the return for the first year The place or manner of payment is im-
the revocation applies,
Introduction material in determining the source of the in-
come.
b) If the spouse revoking the choice After you have determined your alien status, A substitute interest payment made to the
does not have to file a return, but you must determine the source of your in- transferor of a security in a securities lending
does file a return (for example, to come. This chapter will help you determine transaction or a sale-repurchase transaction
obtain a refund), attach the state- the source of different types of income you is sourced in the same manner as the interest
ment to the return, or may receive during the tax year. This chapter on the transferred security.
also discusses special rules for married indi-
c) If the spouse revoking the choice
viduals who are domiciled in a country with Exceptions. U.S. source interest income
does not have to file a return and
community property laws. does not include the following items.
does not file a claim for refund,
send the statement to the Internal
Revenue Service Center where you Topics 1) Interest paid by a resident alien or a do-
filed the last joint return. This chapter discusses: mestic corporation if for the 3-year period
ending with the close of the payer's tax
2) Death. The death of either spouse ends • Income source rules year preceding the interest payment at
the choice, beginning with the first tax least 80% of the payer's total gross in-
year following the year the spouse died. • Community income come:
However, if the surviving spouse is a
U.S. citizen or resident and is entitled to a) Is from sources outside the United
the joint tax rates as a surviving spouse, Useful Items States, and
the choice will not end until the close of You may want to see: b) Is attributable to the active conduct
the last year for which these joint rates of a trade or business by the indi-
may be used. If both spouses die in the Publication vidual or corporation in a foreign
same tax year, the choice ends on the country or a U.S. possession.
first day after the close of the tax year in  520 Scholarships and Fellowships
which the spouses died. 2) Interest paid by a foreign branch of a
 721 Tax Guide to U.S. Civil Service domestic corporation or a domestic
3) Legal separation. A legal separation Retirement Benefits partnership on deposits or withdrawable
under a decree of divorce or separate See chapter 12 for information about get- accounts with mutual savings banks,
maintenance ends the choice as of the ting these publications. cooperative banks, credit unions, do-
beginning of the tax year in which the mestic building and loan associations,
legal separation occurs. and other savings institutions chartered
and supervised as savings and loan or
4) Inadequate records. The Internal Rev- similar associations under federal or
enue Service can end the choice for any Resident Aliens state law if the interest paid or credited
tax year that either spouse has failed to A resident alien's income is generally subject can be deducted by the association.
keep adequate books, records, and to tax in the same manner as a U.S. citizen;
other information necessary to determine 3) Interest on deposits with a foreign
that is, a resident alien is taxed on and must
the correct income tax liability, or to branch of a domestic corporation or do-
report income from all sources, including
provide adequate access to those rec- mestic partnership, but only if the branch
sources outside the United States.
ords. is in the commercial banking business.
If you are a resident alien, you must report
all interest, dividends, wages, or other com-
pensation for services, income from rental Dividends
property or royalties, and other types of in-
come on your U.S. tax return. You must report In most cases, dividend income received from
domestic corporations is U.S. source income.
Special Situations these amounts whether from sources within
or outside the United States. Dividend income from foreign corporations is
If you are a nonresident alien from American usually foreign source income. Exceptions to
Samoa or Puerto Rico, you may be treated both of these rules are discussed below.
as a resident alien. A substitute dividend payment made to the
If you are a nonresident alien in the United transferor of a security in a securities lending
States and a bona fide resident of American Nonresident Aliens transaction or a sale-repurchase transaction
Samoa or Puerto Rico during the entire tax A nonresident alien usually is subject to U.S. is sourced in the same manner as a distribu-
year, you are taxed, with certain exceptions, income tax only on U.S. source income. Un- tion on the transferred security.
according to the rules for resident aliens of der limited circumstances, certain foreign
the United States. For more information, see source income is subject to U.S. tax. See First exception. Dividends received from a
chapter 5. Foreign Income in chapter 4. domestic corporation are not U.S. source in-
If you are a nonresident alien from Amer- The general rules for determining U.S. come if the corporation elects to take the
ican Samoa or Puerto Rico who does not source income that apply to most nonresident Puerto Rico economic activity credit or the
qualify as a bona fide resident of American aliens are shown in Table 2–1. The following possession tax credit.
Page 10 Chapter 2 Source of Income
Second exception. Part of the dividends Activities to be performed outside the
received from a foreign corporation is U.S.
Transportation Income United States. Scholarships, fellowship
source income if 25% or more of its total Transportation income is income from the use grants, targeted grants, and achievement
gross income for the 3-year period ending of a vessel or aircraft or for the performance awards received by nonresident aliens for
with the close of its tax year preceding the of services directly related to the use of any activities performed, or to be performed, out-
declaration of dividends was effectively con- vessel or aircraft. This is true whether the side the United States are not U.S. source
nected with a trade or business in the United vessel or aircraft is owned, hired, or leased. income.
States. If the corporation was formed less The term “vessel or aircraft” includes any
than 3 years before the declaration, use its container used in connection with a vessel These rules do not apply to amounts
total gross income from the time it was
formed. Determine the part that is U.S. source
or aircraft.
All income from transportation that begins
! paid as salary or other compensation
CAUTION for services. See Personal Services,

income by multiplying the dividend by the and ends in the United States is treated as earlier, for the source rules that apply.
following fraction. derived from sources in the United States. If
Foreign corporation’s gross income the transportation begins or ends in the
connected with a U.S. trade or United States, 50% of the transportation in-
business for the 3-year period come is treated as derived from sources in Pensions and Annuities
the United States.
Foreign corporation’s gross income When you receive a pension from a domestic
For transportation income from personal
from all sources for that period trust for services performed both in and out-
services, 50% of the income is U.S. source
side the United States, part of the pension
income if the transportation is between the
payment is from U.S. sources. That part is the
United States and a U.S. possession. For
amount attributable to earnings of the trust
nonresident aliens, this only applies to income
and the employer contributions made for ser-
derived from, or in connection with, an air-
vices performed in the United States. This
craft.
Personal Services applies whether the distribution is made under
For information on how U.S. source
a qualified or nonqualified stock bonus, pen-
All wages and any other compensation for transportation income is taxed, see chapter
sion, profit-sharing, or annuity plan (whether
services performed in the United States are 4.
or not funded).
considered to be from sources in the United If you performed services as an employee
States. The only exception to this rule is dis- of the United States, you may receive a dis-
cussed in chapter 3, under Employees of tribution from the U.S. Government under a
foreign persons, organizations, or offices. Scholarships, Grants, plan, such as the Civil Service Retirement
If your compensation is for personal ser- Prizes, and Awards System, that is treated as a qualified pension
vices performed both inside and outside the plan. Your U.S. source income is the other-
United States, you must figure the amount of Generally, the source of scholarships, fellow-
ship grants, grants, prizes, and awards is the wise taxable amount of the distribution that is
income that is for services performed in the attributable to your total U.S. Government
United States. You usually do this on a time residence of the payer regardless of who ac-
tually disburses the funds. However, see Ac- basic pay other than tax-exempt pay for ser-
basis. That is, you must include in gross in- vices performed outside the United States.
come as U.S. source income the amount that tivities to be performed outside the United
results from multiplying the total amount of States, later.
compensation by the following fraction. For example, payments for research or
study in the United States made by the United
Number of days you performed States, a noncorporate U.S. resident, or a
Rents or Royalties
services in the United States domestic corporation, are from U.S. sources. Your U.S. source income includes rent and
Total number of days of service for Similar payments from a foreign government royalty income received during the tax year
which you receive payment or foreign corporation are foreign source from property located in the United States or
payments even though the funds may be from any interest in that property.
disbursed through a U.S. agent. U.S. source income also includes rents
Payments made by an entity designated or royalties for the use of, or for the privilege
Example. Jean Blanc, a nonresident al- as a public international organization under of using, in the United States, intangible
ien, is a professional hockey player with a the International Organizations Immunities property such as patents, copyrights, secret
U.S. hockey club. Under Jean's contract, he Act are from foreign sources. processes and formulas, goodwill, trade-
received $98,500 for 242 days of play during marks, franchises, and similar property.
the year. This includes days spent at pre-
season training camp, days during the regular Table 2-1. Summary of Source Rules for Income of Nonresident Aliens
season, and playoff game days. Of the 242
days, Jean spent 194 days performing ser- Type of Income: Source Determined By:
vices in the United States and 48 days playing
hockey in Canada. Jean's U.S. source in- Compensation for personal services Where services are performed
come is $78,963, figured as follows:
194 Dividends Residence of paying corporation
⫻ $98,500 = $78,963
242
Interest Residence of payor

Rents Where property is located


Reenlistment bonus. A reenlistment bonus
received by a nonresident alien for Royalties—Natural resources Where property is located
reenlistment in the U.S. Navy while in a for-
eign country is not U.S. sourced income. Royalties—Patents, copyrights, etc. Where property is used

Pensions Where services were performed


Crew members. Compensation for services
Sale of inventory—purchased Where property is sold
performed by a nonresident alien in con-
nection with the individual's temporary pres- Sale of inventory—produced Allocation
ence in the United States as a regular crew
Sale of personal property (other than Tax home of seller
member of a foreign vessel engaged in
inventory property)
transportation between the United States and
a foreign country or U.S. possession is not
U.S. source income. Sale of real property Where property is located

Sale of natural resources Allocation

Chapter 2 Source of Income Page 11


is considered to be from sources outside the place of business outside the United States,
Real Property United States. income from sales of personal property, other
Real property is land and buildings and gen- For this purpose, “U.S. depreciation ad- than inventory, depreciable property, or in-
erally anything built on, growing on, or at- justments” are the depreciation adjustments tangibles, that is attributable to that foreign
tached to land. to the basis of the property that are allowable office or place of business may be treated as
Gross income from sources in the United in figuring taxable income from U.S. sources. U.S. source income. The income is treated
States includes gains, profits, and income However, if the property is used predomi- as U.S. source income if an income tax of
from the sale or other disposition of real nantly in the United States during a tax year, less than 10% of the income from the sale is
property located in the United States. all depreciation deductions allowable for that paid to a foreign country. This rule also ap-
year are treated as U.S. depreciation adjust- plies to losses recognized after January 10,
Natural resources. The income from the ments. But there are some exceptions for 1999, if the foreign country would have im-
sale of products of any farm, mine, oil or gas certain transportation, communications, and posed an income tax of less than 10% had
well, other natural deposit, or timber located other property used internationally. the sale resulted in a gain. You can choose
in the United States and sold in a foreign Gain from the sale of depreciable property to apply this rule to losses recognized in tax
country, or located in a foreign country and that is more than the total depreciation ad- years beginning after 1986. For details about
sold in the United States, is partly from justments on the property is sourced as if the making this choice, see section
sources in the United States. For information property were inventory property, as dis- 1.865–1T(f)(2) of the regulations. For stock
on determining that part, see section cussed above. losses, see section 1.865–2(e) of the regu-
1.863–1(b) of the regulations. A loss recognized after January 10, 1999, lations.
is sourced in the same way as the depreci-
ation deductions were sourced. However, if
the property was used predominantly inside
Personal Property
Personal property is property, such as ma-
the United States, the entire loss reduces
U.S. source income. You can choose to ap-
Community Income
chinery, equipment, or furniture, that is not ply this rule to losses recognized in tax years Generally, if you are married and you or your
real property. beginning after 1986. For details about mak- spouse are subject to the community property
Income from the sale or exchange of per- ing this choice, see section 1.865–1T(f)(2) of laws of a foreign country, a U.S. state, or a
sonal property by a nonresident alien individ- the regulations. U.S. possession, you generally must follow
ual generally has its source in the United The basis of property usually means the those laws to determine the income of your-
States if the individual has a tax home in the cost (money plus the fair market value of self and your spouse for U.S. tax purposes.
United States. If the individual does not have other property or services) of property you But you must disregard certain community
a tax home in the United States, the income acquire. Depreciation is an amount deducted property laws if:
generally is considered to be from sources to recover the cost or other basis of a trade
outside the United States. or business asset. The amount you can de- 1) Both you and your spouse are nonresi-
duct depends on the property's cost, when dent aliens, or
Tax home. Your tax home is the general you began using the property, how long it will 2) One of you is a nonresident alien and the
area of your main place of business, em- take to recover your cost, and which depre- other is a U.S. citizen or resident and
ployment, or post of duty, regardless of where ciation method you use. A depreciation de- you do not both choose to be treated as
you maintain your family home. Your tax duction is any deduction for depreciation or U.S. residents as explained in chapter
home is the place where you permanently or amortization or any other allowable deduction 1.
indefinitely work as an employee or a self- that treats a capital expenditure as a deduct-
employed individual. If you do not have a ible expense. In these cases, you and your spouse must
regular or main place of business because report community income as explained below.
of the nature of your work, then your tax home Intangible property. Intangible property in-
is the place where you regularly live. If you cludes patents, copyrights, secret processes Earned income. Earned income of a
do not fit either of these categories, you are or formulas, goodwill, trademarks, trade spouse, other than trade or business income
considered an itinerant and your tax home is names, or other like property. Income from and a partner's distributive share of partner-
wherever you work. the sale of intangible property that is contin- ship income, is treated as the income of the
gent on the productivity, use, or disposition spouse whose services produced the income.
Inventory property. Inventory property is of the property is sourced in the country That spouse must report all of it on his or her
personal property that is stock in trade or that where the property is used. If the income is separate return.
is held primarily for sale to customers in the not contingent on the productivity, use, or
ordinary course of your trade or business. disposition of the property, the income is Trade or business income. Trade or busi-
Income from the sale of inventory that you sourced according to the seller's tax home ness income, other than a partner's distribu-
purchased is sourced where the property is as discussed earlier. If payments for goodwill tive share of partnership income, is treated
sold. Generally, this is where title to the do not depend on its productivity, use, or as the income of the person who exercises
property passes to the buyer. For example, disposition, their source is the country in substantially all of the management and con-
income from the sale of inventory in the which the goodwill was generated. trol over the trade or business. That spouse
United States is U.S. source income, whether To the extent gain from the sale of an in- must report all of it on his or her separate
you purchased it in the United States or in a tangible does not exceed its depreciation ad- return.
foreign country. justments, treat the gain as if the intangible
Income from the sale of inventory property were depreciable personal property, dis- Partnership income (or loss). A partner's
that you produced in the United States and cussed earlier. distributive share of partnership income (or
sold outside the United States (or vice versa) loss) is treated as the income (or loss) of the
is partly from sources in the United States and partner. The partner must report all of it on
Sales through offices or fixed places of
partly from sources outside the United States. his or her separate return.
business. Despite any of the above rules, if
For information on making this allocation, see
you do not have a tax home in the United
section 1.863–3 of the regulations. Separate property income. Income derived
States, but you maintain an office or other
These rules apply even if your tax home from the separate property of one spouse
fixed place of business in the United States,
is not in the United States. (and which is not earned income, trade or
treat the income from any sale of personal
property (including inventory property) that is business income, or partnership distributive
Depreciable property. To determine the attributable to that office or place of business share income) is treated as the income of that
source of any gain from the sale of deprecia- as U.S. source income. However, this rule spouse. That spouse must report all of it on
ble personal property, you must first figure the does not apply to sales of inventory property his or her separate return. Use the appropri-
part of the gain that is not more than the total for use, disposition, or consumption outside ate community property law to determine
depreciation adjustments on the property. the United States if your office or other fixed what is separate property.
You allocate this part of the gain to sources place of business outside the United States
in the United States based on the ratio of U.S. materially participated in the sale. Other community income. All other com-
depreciation adjustments to total depreciation If you have a tax home in the United munity income is treated as provided by the
adjustments. The rest of this part of the gain States but maintain an office or other fixed applicable community property laws.
Page 12 Chapter 2 Source of Income
Portfolio interest does not include contin-
gent interest. Contingent interest is either of
3. Nonresident Aliens the following:
Nonresident aliens can exclude the following
items from their gross income. 1) Interest that is determined by reference
Exclusions From to:
a) Any receipts, sales, or other cash
Interest
Gross Income U.S. source interest income that is not con-
flow of the debtor or related person,
nected with a U.S. trade or business is ex-
cluded from income if it is from: b) Income or profits of the debtor or
related person,
1) Deposits (including certificates of de-
Introduction posit) with persons in the banking busi- c) Any change in value of any property
Resident and nonresident aliens are allowed ness, of the debtor or a related person,
exclusions from gross income if they meet or
2) Deposits or withdrawable accounts with
certain conditions. An exclusion from gross d) Any dividend, partnership distribu-
mutual savings banks, cooperative
income is generally income you receive that tions, or similar payments made by
banks, credit unions, domestic building
is not included in your U.S. income and is not the debtor or a related person.
and loan associations, and other savings
subject to U.S. tax. This chapter covers some
institutions chartered and supervised as
of the more common exclusions allowed to 2) Any other type of contingent interest that
savings and loan or similar associations
resident and nonresident aliens. is identified by the Secretary of the
under federal or state law (if the interest
Treasury in regulations.
paid or credited can be deducted by the
Topics association), and
This chapter discusses: For the definition of “related person” in con-
3) Amounts held by an insurance company nection with any contingent interest, and for
• Nontaxable interest under an agreement to pay interest on the exceptions that apply to interest described
them. in item (1), see subparagraphs (B) and (C)
• Certain compensation paid by a foreign of Internal Revenue Code section 871(h)(4).
employer Portfolio interest includes any contingent
Government obligations. Interest on obli-
• Gain from sale of home gations of a state or political subdivision, the interest paid or accrued on any indebtedness
District of Columbia, or a U.S. possession, with a fixed term that was issued:
• Scholarships and fellowship grants
generally is not included in income. However,
interest on certain private activity bonds, 1) On or before April 7, 1993, or
arbitrage bonds, and certain bonds not in 2) After April 7, 1993, pursuant to a written
Useful Items registered form is included in income.
You may want to see: binding contract in effect on that date
and at all times thereafter before that
Portfolio interest. U.S. source interest in- indebtedness was issued.
Publication come that is not connected with a U.S. trade
or business and that is portfolio interest on
 54 Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and obligations issued after July 18, 1984, is ex- Services Performed
Resident Aliens Abroad cluded from income. Portfolio interest is in-
 523 Selling Your Home terest (including original issue discount) that for Foreign Employer
is paid on obligations: If you were paid by a foreign employer, your
See chapter 12 for information about get-
ting these publications. U.S. source income may be exempt from U.S.
1) Not in registered form (bearer obli- tax, but only if you meet one of the situations
gations) that are sold only to foreign in- discussed next.
vestors, and the interest on which is
payable only outside the United States
Resident Aliens and its possessions, and that has on its Employees of foreign persons, organiza-
tions, or offices. If three conditions exist,
Resident aliens may be able to exclude the face a statement that any U.S. person
holding the obligation will be subject to income for personal services performed in the
following items from their gross income. United States as a nonresident alien is not
limitations under the U.S. income tax
laws, considered to be from U.S. sources and is tax
exempt. If you do not meet all three condi-
Foreign Earned Income 2) In registered form that are targeted to tions, your income from personal services
and Housing Amount foreign markets and the interest on performed in the United States is U.S. source
If you are physically present in a foreign which is paid through financial insti- income and is taxed according to the rules in
country or countries for at least 330 full days tutions outside the United States, or chapter 4.
during any period of 12 consecutive months, The three conditions are:
3) In registered form that are not targeted
you may qualify for the foreign earned income to foreign markets, if you furnish the
exclusion. For tax years beginning in 1999, 1) You perform personal services as an
payer of the interest (or the withholding
the exclusion is $74,000. In addition, you employee of or under a contract with a
agent) a statement that you are not a
may be able to exclude or deduct certain for- nonresident alien individual, foreign
U.S. person. You can make this state-
eign housing amounts. You may also qualify partnership, or foreign corporation, not
ment on a Form W–8 or on a substitute
if you are a bona fide resident of a foreign engaged in a trade or business in the
form similar to Form W–8. In either case,
country and you are a citizen or national of a United States; or you work for an office
the statement must be signed under
country with which the United States has an or place of business maintained in a
penalties of perjury, must certify that you
income tax treaty. For more information, see foreign country or possession of the
are not a U.S. citizen or resident, and
Publication 54. United States by a U.S. corporation, a
must include your name and address.
U.S. partnership, or a U.S. citizen or
Foreign country. The term “foreign Portfolio interest does not include interest resident,
country” means any territory under the sov- that you receive on an obligation issued by a 2) You perform these services while you
ereignty of a government other than that of corporation of which you own, directly or in- are a nonresident alien temporarily
the United States. The term also includes directly, 10% or more of the total voting power present in the United States for a period
territorial waters of the foreign country, the of all classes of voting stock. Portfolio interest or periods of not more than a total of 90
airspace over the foreign country, and the does not include interest that you receive on days during the tax year, and
seabed and subsoil of submarine areas ad- an obligation issued by a partnership of which
jacent to the territorial waters of the foreign you own, directly or indirectly, 10% or more 3) Your pay for these services is not more
country. of the capital or profits interests. than $3,000.
Chapter 3 Exclusions From Gross Income Page 13
If your pay for these services is more than possession by a domestic corporation, all of the amounts you receive as a qualified
$3,000, the entire amount is income from a a domestic partnership, or an individual scholarship. The rules discussed here apply
trade or business within the United States. who is a citizen or resident of the United to both resident and nonresident aliens.
To find if your pay is more than $3,000, do States.
not include any amounts you get from your If a nonresident alien receives a grant
employer for advances or reimbursements of The term “foreign employer” does not in- TIP that is not from U.S. sources, it is not
business travel expenses, if you were re- clude a foreign government. Pay from a for- subject to U.S. tax. See Scholarships,
quired to and did account to your employer eign government that is exempt from U.S. in- Grants, Prizes, and Awards in chapter 2 to
for those expenses. If the advances or re- come tax is discussed in chapter 10. determine whether your grant is from U.S.
imbursements are more than your expenses, sources.
include the excess in your pay for these ser- Income from certain annuities. Do not in-
vices. clude in income any annuity received under
A day means a calendar day during any a qualified annuity plan or from a qualified Qualified scholarship. A qualified scholar-
part of which you are physically present in the trust exempt from U.S. income tax if: ship is any amount you receive as a scholar-
United States. ship or fellowship grant that you use accord-
1) You receive the annuity only because ing to the conditions of the grant for:
Example 1. During 1999, Henry Smythe, of personal services performed outside
a nonresident alien from a nontreaty country, the United States while you were a non-
worked for an overseas office of a domestic resident alien; or personal services per- 1) Tuition and fees required to enroll in, or
partnership. Henry, who uses the calendar formed inside the United States while to attend, an educational institution, or
year as his tax year, was temporarily present you were a nonresident alien that meets
in the United States for 60 days during 1999 the three conditions described in Em- 2) Fees, books, supplies, and equipment
performing personal services for the overseas ployees of foreign persons, organiza- that the educational institution requires
office of the partnership. That office paid him tions, or offices, earlier, and for the courses of instruction.
a total gross salary of $2,800 for those ser- 2) At the time the first amount is paid as
vices. During 1999, he was not engaged in a an annuity under the plan (or by the Amounts you receive from a scholarship or
trade or business in the United States. The trust), 90% or more of the employees for fellowship that you use for other expenses,
salary is not considered U.S. source income whom contributions or benefits are pro- such as room and board or travel, are not
and is exempt from U.S. tax. vided under the annuity plan (or under excludable from income.
the plan of which the trust is a part) are Terms of grant. Your scholarship or fel-
Example 2. The facts are the same as in citizens or residents of the United States. lowship can still qualify as tax free even if the
Example 1, except that Henry's total gross terms do not provide that it only be used for
salary for the services performed in the If the annuity qualifies under condition (1) tuition and course-related expenses. It will
United States during 1999 was $4,500. He but not condition (2) above, you do not have qualify if you use the grant proceeds for tuition
received $2,875 in 1999, and $1,625 in 2000. to include the amount in income if: and course-related expenses. However, if the
During 1999, he was engaged in a trade or terms of the grant require its use for other
business in the United States because the 1) You are a resident of a country that gives purposes, such as room and board, or specify
compensation for his personal services in the a substantially equal exclusion to U.S. that the grant cannot be used for tuition or
United States was more than $3,000. Henry's citizens and residents, or course-related expenses, the amounts re-
salary is U.S. source income and is taxed ceived under the grant cannot be excluded
under the rules in chapter 4. 2) You are a resident of a beneficiary de-
veloping country under the Trade Act of from income.
1974.
Crew members. Compensation for services
performed by a nonresident alien in con- If you are not sure whether the annuity is Candidate for a degree. The term candidate
nection with the individual's temporary pres- from a qualified annuity plan or qualified trust, for a degree means a student (whether full
ence in the United States as a regular crew ask the person who made the payment. or part-time) who:
member of a foreign vessel engaged in
transportation between the United States and Income affected by treaties. Income of any 1) Attends a primary or secondary school
a foreign country or U.S. possession is not kind that is exempt from U.S. tax under a or is pursuing a degree at a college or
U.S. source income and is exempt from U.S. treaty to which the United States is a party is university, or
tax. excluded from your gross income. Income on
which the tax is only limited by treaty, how- 2) Attends an educational institution that is
Students and exchange visitors. Nonres- ever, is included in gross income. See authorized and accredited to provide a
ident alien students and exchange visitors chapter 9. program that is acceptable for full credit
present in the United States under section toward a bachelor's or higher degree, or
101(a)(15)(F), (J), or (Q) of the Immigration to provide a program of training to pre-
and Nationality Act can exclude from gross pare students for gainful employment in
income pay received from a foreign employer. Gain From the Sale a recognized occupation.
This group includes bona fide students,
scholars, trainees, teachers, professors, re- of Your Main Home
search assistants, specialists, or leaders in a If you sold your main home, you may be able Payment for services. You cannot exclude
field of specialized knowledge or skill, or per- to exclude $250,000 of the gain on the sale from income the portion of any scholarship,
sons of similar description. It also includes the of your home. If you are married and file a fellowship, or tuition reduction, that repre-
alien's spouse and minor children if they joint return, you may be able to exclude sents payment for teaching, research, or
come with the alien or come later to join the $500,000. For information on the require- other services that the grantor requires as a
alien. ments for this exclusion, see Publication 523. condition for receiving the scholarship or fel-
A nonresident alien temporarily present in lowship. This is true even if all candidates for
the United States under section 101(a)(15)(J) This exclusion does not apply to a degree are required to perform the services
of the Immigration and Nationality Act in-
cludes an alien individual entering the United
! nonresident aliens who are subject to
CAUTION the expatriation tax rules discussed in
as a condition for receiving the degree.

States as an exchange visitor under the chapter 4. Example. On January 7, Maria Gomez is
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange notified of a scholarship of $2,500 for the
Act of 1961. spring semester. As a condition for receiving
Foreign employer. A foreign employer the scholarship, Maria must serve as a part-
is: time teaching assistant. Of the $2,500 schol-
1) A nonresident alien individual, foreign
Scholarships and arship, $1,000 represents payment for her
services. Assuming that Maria meets all other
partnership, or foreign corporation, or Fellowship Grants conditions, she can exclude no more than
2) An office or place of business main- If you are a candidate for a degree, you may $1,500 from income as a qualified scholar-
tained in a foreign country or in a U.S. be able to exclude from your income part or ship.

Page 14 Chapter 3 Exclusions From Gross Income


1) Income that is effectively connected with Beneficiary of an estate or trust. If you are
a trade or business in the United States, the beneficiary of an estate or trust that is
4. and
2) Income that is not effectively connected
engaged in a trade or business in the United
States, you are treated as being engaged in
the same trade or business.
with a trade or business in the United
How Income of States (discussed under The 30% Tax,
later). Trading in stocks, securities, and com-
Aliens Is Taxed The difference between these two cate-
modities. If your only U.S. business activity
is trading in stocks, securities, or commodities
gories is that effectively connected income, (including hedging transactions) through a
after allowable deductions, is taxed at grad- U.S. resident broker or other agent, you are
uated rates. These are the same rates that not engaged in a trade or business in the
apply to U.S. citizens and residents. Income United States.
Introduction that is not effectively connected is taxed at a For transactions in stocks or securities,
flat 30% (or lower treaty) rate. this applies to any nonresident alien, including
Resident and nonresident aliens are taxed in
a dealer or broker in stocks and securities.
different ways. Resident aliens are generally If you were formerly a U.S. citizen or For transactions in commodities, this ap-
taxed in the same way as U.S. citizens.
Nonresident aliens are taxed based on the
! resident alien, these rules may not
CAUTION apply. See Expatriation Tax, later, in
plies to commodities that are usually traded
on an organized commodity exchange and to
source of their income and whether or not this chapter. transactions that are usually carried out at
their income is effectively connected with a
such an exchange.
U.S. trade or business. The following dis-
This discussion does not apply if you have
cussions will help you determine if income Trade or Business a U.S. office or other fixed place of business
you receive during the tax year is effectively
connected with a U.S. trade or business and in the United States at any time during the tax year through which,
Generally, you must be engaged in a trade or by the direction of which, you carry out your
how it is taxed.
or business during the tax year to be able to transactions in stocks, securities, or com-
treat income received in that year as effec- modities.
Topics tively connected with that trade or business. Trading for a nonresident alien's own
This chapter discusses: Whether you are engaged in a trade or busi- account. You are not engaged in a trade or
ness in the United States depends on the business in the United States if trading for
• Income that is effectively connected with nature of your activities. The discussions that your own account in stocks, securities, or
a U.S. trade or business follow will help you determine whether you commodities is your only U.S. business ac-
are engaged in a trade or business in the tivity. This applies even if the trading takes
• Income that is not effectively connected place while you are present in the United
with a U.S. trade or business United States.
States or is done by your employee or your
broker or other agent.
Personal Services This does not apply to trading for your own
Useful Items If you perform personal services in the United account if you are a dealer in stocks, securi-
You may want to see: States at any time during the tax year, you ties, or commodities. This does not neces-
usually are considered engaged in a trade or sarily mean, however, that as a dealer you
Publication business in the United States. are considered to be engaged in a trade or
business in the United States. Determine that
Certain compensation paid to a non- based on the facts and circumstances in each
 544 Sales and Other Dispositions of TIP resident alien by a foreign employer
Assets case or under the rules given above in Trad-
is not included in gross income. For ing in stocks, securities, and commodities.
 1212 List of Original Issue Discount In- more information, see Services Performed for
struments Foreign Employer in chapter 3.
Effectively
Form (and Instructions) Other Trade or Business Connected Income
Activities
 6251 Alternative Minimum If you are engaged in a U.S. trade or busi-
Other examples of being engaged in a trade ness, all income, gain, or loss for the tax year
Tax—Individuals or business in the United States follow. that you get from sources within the United
 W–8 Certificate of Foreign Status States (other than certain investment income)
Students and trainees. You are considered is treated as effectively connected income.
 Schedule D (Form 1040) Capital Gains engaged in a trade or business in the United This applies whether or not there is any con-
and Losses States if you are temporarily present in the nection between the income and the trade or
See chapter 12 for information about get- United States as a nonimmigrant under sub- business being carried on in the United States
ting these publications and forms. paragraphs (F), (J), (M), or (Q) of section during the tax year.
101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Two tests, described later, determine
Act. Subparagraph (J) includes a nonresident whether certain items of investment income
alien individual admitted to the United States (such as interest, dividends, and royalties) are
as an exchange visitor under the Mutual
Resident Aliens Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of
treated as effectively connected with that
business.
Resident aliens are generally taxed in the 1961. The taxable part of any scholarship or In limited circumstances, some kinds of
same way as U.S. citizens. This means that fellowship grant that is U.S. source income foreign source income may be treated as ef-
their worldwide income is subject to U.S. tax is treated as effectively connected with a fectively connected with a trade or business
and must be reported on their U.S. tax return. trade or business in the United States. in the United States. For a discussion of these
Income of resident aliens is subject to the rules, see Foreign Income, later.
graduated tax rates that apply to U.S. citi- Business operations. If you own and oper-
zens. Resident aliens use the Tax Table and ate a business in the United States selling
Tax Rate Schedules located in the Form 1040 services, products, or merchandise, you are, Investment Income
instructions, which apply to U.S. citizens. with certain exceptions, engaged in a trade Investment income from U.S. sources that
or business in the United States. may or may not be treated as effectively
connected with a U.S. trade or business
Partnerships. If you are a member of a generally falls into the following three cate-
partnership that at any time during the tax gories.
Nonresident Aliens year is engaged in a trade or business in the
A nonresident alien's income that is subject United States, you are considered to be en- 1) Fixed or determinable income (interest,
to U.S. income tax must be divided into two gaged in a trade or business in the United dividends, rents, royalties, premiums,
categories: States. annuities, etc.).
Chapter 4 How Income of Aliens Is Taxed Page 15
2) Gains (some of which are considered Personal Service Income ship that is engaged in a trade or business in
capital gains) from the sale or exchange the United States is also effectively connected
You usually are engaged in a U.S. trade or
of the following types of property. with a trade or business in the United States.
business when you perform personal services
a) Timber, coal, or domestic iron ore in the United States. Personal service income
with a retained economic interest. you receive in a tax year in which you are Real Property Gain or Loss
engaged in a U.S. trade or business is effec- Gains and losses from the sale or exchange
b) Patents, copyrights, and similar tively connected with a U.S. trade or busi- of U.S. real property interests (whether or not
property on which you receive con- ness. Income received in a year other than they are capital assets) are taxed as if you
tingent payments after October 4, the year you performed the services is also are engaged in a trade or business in the
1966. effectively connected if it would have been United States. You must treat the gain or loss
effectively connected if received in the year as effectively connected with that trade or
c) Patents transferred before October you performed the services. Personal service business.
5, 1966. income includes wages, salaries, commis-
sions, fees, per diem allowances, and em- U.S. real property interest. This is any in-
d) Original issue discount obligations.
ployee allowances and bonuses. The income terest in real property located in the United
3) Capital gains (and losses). may be paid to you in the form of cash, ser- States or the Virgin Islands or any interest in
vices, or property. a domestic corporation that is a U.S. real
Use the two tests, described next, to de- If you engaged in a U.S. trade or business property holding corporation. Real property
termine whether an item of U.S. source in- only because you perform personal services includes:
come falling in one of the three categories in the United States during the tax year, in-
above and received during the tax year is ef- come and gains from assets, and gains and 1) Land and unsevered natural products of
fectively connected with your U.S. trade or losses from the sale or exchange of capital the land, such as growing crops and
business. If the tests indicate that the item of assets are generally not effectively connected timber, and mines, wells, and other na-
income is effectively connected, you must in- with your trade or business. However, if there tural deposits,
clude it with your other effectively connected is a direct economic relationship between
your holding of the asset and your trade or 2) Improvements on land, including
income. If the item of income is not effectively buildings, other permanent structures,
connected, include it with all other income business of performing personal services, the
income, gain, or loss is effectively connected. and their structural components, and
discussed under The 30% Tax, later, in this
chapter. 3) Personal property associated with the
Pensions. If you were engaged in a U.S. use of real property, such as equipment
trade or business in a tax year because you used in farming, mining, forestry, or
Asset-use test. This test usually applies to performed personal services in the United construction or property used in lodging
income that is not directly produced by trade States, and you later receive a pension or facilities or rented office space, unless
or business activities. Under this test, if an retirement pay as a result of these services, the personal property is:
item of income is from assets (property) used the retirement pay is effectively connected
in, or held for use in, the trade or business in income in each year you receive it. This is a) Disposed of more than one year
the United States, it is considered effectively true whether or not you are engaged in a U.S. before or after the disposition of the
connected. trade or business in the year you receive the real property, or
An asset is used in, or held for use in, the retirement pay. b) Separately sold to persons unre-
trade or business in the United States if the lated either to the seller or to the
asset is: buyer of the real property.
Transportation Income
1) Held for the principal purpose of pro- Transportation income is effectively con- U.S. real property holding corporation.
moting the conduct of a trade or busi- nected if you meet the following two condi- A corporation is a U.S. real property holding
ness in the United States, tions. corporation if the fair market value of the
corporation's U.S. real property interests are
2) Acquired and held in the ordinary course 1) You had a fixed place of business in the at least 50% of the total fair market value of:
of the trade or business conducted in the United States involved in earning the in-
United States (for example, an account come. 1) The corporation's U.S. real property in-
receivable or note receivable arising 2) At least 90% of your U.S. source trans- terests, plus
from that trade or business), or portation income is attributable to regu- 2) The corporation's interests in real prop-
3) Otherwise held to meet the present larly scheduled transportation. erty located outside the United States,
needs of the trade or business in the plus
“Fixed place of business” generally means a
United States and not its anticipated fu- place, site, structure, or other similar facility 3) The corporation's other assets that are
ture needs. through which you engage in a trade or busi- used in, or held for use in, a trade or
ness. “Regularly scheduled transportation” business.
Generally, stock of a corporation is not means that a ship or aircraft follows a pub-
treated as an asset used in, or held for use lished schedule with repeated sailings or You generally are subject to tax on the
in, a trade or business in the United States. flights at regular intervals between the same sale of the stock in any domestic corporation
points for voyages or flights that begin or end unless you establish that the corporation is
Business-activities test. This test usually in the United States. This definition applies to not a U.S. real property holding corporation.
applies when income, gain, or loss comes both scheduled and chartered air transporta- A U.S. real property interest does not in-
directly from the active conduct of the trade tion. clude a class of stock of a corporation that is
or business. The business-activities test is If you do not meet the two conditions regularly traded on an established securities
most important when: above, the income is not effectively con- market, unless you hold more than 5% of the
nected and different rules apply. See Trans- fair market value of that class of stock. An
portation Tax, later, in this chapter. interest in a foreign corporation owning U.S.
1) Dividends or interest are received by a
real property generally is not a U.S. real
dealer in stocks or securities,
property interest unless the corporation
Business Profits and Losses chooses to be treated as a domestic corpo-
2) Royalties are received in the trade or
business of licensing patents or similar and Sales Transactions ration.
property, or All profits or losses from U.S. sources that are
from the operation of a business in the United Alternative minimum tax. There may be a
3) Service fees are earned by a servicing States are effectively connected with a trade minimum tax on your net gain from the dis-
business. or business in the United States. For exam- position of U.S. real property interests. Figure
ple, profit from the sale in the United States the amount of this tax, if any, on Form 6251.
Under this test, if the conduct of the U.S. of inventory property purchased either in this
trade or business was a material factor in country or in a foreign country is effectively Withholding of tax. If you dispose of a U.S.
producing the income, the income is consid- connected trade or business income. A share real property interest, the buyer may have to
ered effectively connected. of U.S. source profits or losses of a partner- withhold tax. See the discussion of Tax
Page 16 Chapter 4 How Income of Aliens Is Taxed
Withheld on Real Property Sales, in chapter year is treated as effectively connected in that tax. The amount of OID is the difference be-
8. year if it would have been effectively con- tween the stated redemption price at maturity
nected in the year the transaction took place and the issue price of the debt instrument.
Foreign Income or you performed the services. The 30% tax applies in the following circum-
stances.
Under limited circumstances, you must treat Example. Ted Richards, a nonresident
three kinds of foreign source income as ef- alien, entered the United States in August 1) You received a payment on an obli-
fectively connected with a trade or business 1998, to perform personal services in the U.S. gation. In this case, the amount of OID
in the United States. These circumstances office of his overseas employer. He worked subject to tax is the OID that accrued
are: in the U.S. office until December 25, 1998, while you held the obligation minus the
but did not leave this country until January OID previously taken into account. But
1) You have an office or other fixed place 11, 1999. On January 7, 1999, he received the tax on the OID cannot be more than
of business in the United States to which his final paycheck for services performed in the payment minus the tax on the inter-
the income can be attributed, the United States during 1998. All of Ted's est payment on the obligation.
2) That office or place of business is a income during his stay here is U.S. source
income. 2) You sold or exchanged the obligation.
material factor in producing the income, The amount of OID subject to tax is the
and During 1998, Ted was engaged in the
trade or business of performing personal OID that accrued while you held the ob-
3) The income is produced in the ordinary services in the United States. Therefore, all ligation minus the amount already taxed
course of the trade or business carried amounts paid to him in 1998 for services in (1) above.
on through that office or other fixed place performed in the United States during 1998 Report on your return the amount of OID
of business. are effectively connected with that trade or shown on Form 1042–S, Foreign Person's
business during 1998. U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding,
An office or other fixed place of business The salary payment Ted received in Jan-
is a material factor if it significantly contrib- if you bought the debt instrument at original
uary 1999 is U.S. source income to him in issue. However, you must recompute your
utes to, and is an essential economic element 1999. It is effectively connected with a trade
in, the earning of the income. proper share of OID shown on Form 1042–S
or business in the United States because he if any of the following apply.
The three kinds of foreign source income was engaged in a trade or business in the
are: United States during 1998 when he per- 1) You bought the obligation at a premium
formed the services that earned the income. or paid an acquisition premium.
1) Rents and royalties for the use of, or for
the privilege of using, intangible personal 2) The obligation is a stripped bond or a
property located outside the United Real property income. You may be able to
choose to treat all income from real property stripped coupon (including zero coupon
States or from any interest in such instruments backed by U.S. Treasury
property. Included are rents or royalties as effectively connected. See Income From
Real Property, later, in this chapter. securities).
for the use, or for the privilege of using,
outside the United States, patents, 3) You receive a Form 1042–S as a nomi-
copyrights, secret processes and formu- nee recipient.
las, goodwill, trademarks, trade brands,
The 30% Tax
Tax at a 30% (or lower treaty) rate applies to For the definition of premium and acquisi-
franchises, and similar properties if the
certain items of income or gains from U.S. tion premium and instructions on how to re-
rents or royalties are from the active
sources but only if the items are not effec- compute OID, get Publication 1212.
conduct of a trade or business in the
tively connected with your U.S. trade or busi- If you held a bond or other debt instrument
United States.
ness. that was issued at a discount before April 1,
2) Dividends or interest from the active 1972, write to the IRS for further information.
conduct of a banking, financing, or simi- See chapter 12.
lar business in the United States. A
Fixed or Determinable Income
substitute dividend or interest payment The 30% (or lower treaty) rate applies to the
gross amount of U.S. source fixed or deter- Social Security Benefits
received under a securities lending
transaction or a sale-repurchase trans- minable annual or periodic gains, profits, or A nonresident alien must include 85% of any
action is treated the same as the income. U.S. social security benefit (and the social
amounts received on the transferred se- Income is fixed when it is paid in amounts security equivalent part of a tier 1 railroad
curity. known ahead of time. Income is determina- retirement benefit) in U.S. source fixed or
ble whenever there is a basis for figuring the determinable annual or periodic income. This
3) Income, gain, or loss from the sale out- amount to be paid. Income can be periodic income is exempt under some tax treaties.
side the United States, through the U.S. if it is paid from time to time. It does not have
office or other fixed place of business, to be paid annually or at regular intervals. In- Sales or Exchanges
of stock in trade, property that would be come can be determinable or periodic even
included in inventory if on hand at the if the length of time during which the pay-
of Capital Assets
end of the tax year, or property held pri- ments are made is increased or decreased. These rules apply only to those capital gains
marily for sale to customers in the ordi- Items specifically included as fixed or de- and losses from sources in the United States
nary course of business. This will not terminable income are interest (other than that are not effectively connected with a trade
apply if you sold the property for use, original issue discount), dividends, rents, or business in the United States. They apply
consumption, or disposition outside the premiums, annuities, salaries, wages, and even if you are engaged in a trade or busi-
United States and an office or other fixed other compensation. A substitute dividend ness in the United States. These rules do not
place of business in a foreign country or interest payment received under a securi- apply to the sale or exchange of a U.S. real
was a material factor in the sale. ties lending transaction or a sale-repurchase property interest or to the sale of any property
transaction is treated the same as the that is effectively connected with a trade or
amounts received on the transferred security. business in the United States. See Real
Tax on Effectively Property Gain or Loss, earlier, under Effec-
Other items of income, such as royalties, also
Connected Income may be subject to the 30% tax. tively Connected Income.
Income you receive during the tax year that A capital asset is everything you own
is effectively connected with your trade or Some fixed or determinable income except: inventory, business accounts or notes
business in the United States is, after allow- TIP may be exempt from U.S. tax. See receivable, depreciable property used in a
able deductions, taxed at the rates that apply chapter 3 if you are not sure whether trade or business, real property used in a
to U.S. citizens and residents. the income is taxable. trade or business, certain copyrights, literary
Generally, you can receive effectively or musical or artistic compositions, letters or
connected income only if you are a nonresi- Original issue discount. If you sold, ex- memoranda, or similar property, and certain
dent alien engaged in trade or business in the changed, or received a payment on a bond U.S. Government publications.
United States during the tax year. However, or other debt instrument that was issued at a A capital gain is a gain on the sale or
income you receive from the sale or ex- discount after March 31, 1972, all or part of exchange of a capital asset. A capital loss
change of property, the performance of ser- the original issue discount (OID) (other than is a loss on the sale or exchange of a capital
vices, or any other transaction in another tax portfolio interest) may be subject to the 30% asset.
Chapter 4 How Income of Aliens Is Taxed Page 17
You may want to read Publication 544. gains (other than gains listed earlier) are tax 1) Your name, taxpayer identification num-
However, use Publication 544 only to deter- exempt unless they are effectively connected ber, and tax year,
mine what is a sale or exchange of a capital with a trade or business in the United States
asset, or what is treated as such. Specific tax during your tax year. 2) A description of the types of services
treatment that applies to U.S. citizens or res- performed (whether on or off board),
idents generally does not apply to you. Reporting. Report your gains and losses 3) Names of vessels or registration num-
The following gains are subject to the 30% from the sales or exchanges of capital assets bers of aircraft on which you performed
(or lower treaty) rate without regard to the that are not connected with a trade or busi- the services,
183-day rule, discussed later. ness in the United States on page 4 of Form
1040NR. Report gains and losses from sales 4) Amount of U.S. source transportation
1) Gains on the disposal of timber, coal, or or exchanges of capital assets (including real income derived from each type of service
domestic iron ore with a retained eco- property) that are connected with a trade or for each vessel or aircraft for the calen-
nomic interest. business in the United States on a separate dar year, and
2) Gains on contingent payments received Schedule D (Form 1040) and attach it to Form 5) Total amount of U.S. source transporta-
from the sale or exchange of patents, 1040NR. tion income derived from all types of
copyrights, and similar property after services for the calendar year.
October 4, 1966.
Income From Real Property This 4% tax applies to your U.S. source
3) Gains on certain transfers of all sub- If you have income from real property located gross transportation income. This only in-
stantial rights to, or an undivided interest in the United States that you own or have an cludes transportation income that is treated
in, patents if the transfers were made interest in and hold for the production of in- as derived from sources in the United States
before October 5, 1966. come, you can choose to treat all income from if the transportation begins or ends in the
4) Gains on the sale or exchange of original that property as income effectively connected United States. For transportation income from
issue discount obligations. with a trade or business in the United States. personal services, the transportation must be
The choice applies to all income from real between the United States and a U.S. pos-
Gains in (1) are not subject to the 30% (or property located in the United States and held session. For personal services of a nonresi-
lower treaty) rate if you choose to treat the for the production of income and to all income dent alien, this only applies to income derived
gains as effectively connected with a U.S. from any interest in such property. This in- from, or in connection with, an aircraft.
trade or business. See Income From Real cludes income from rents, royalties from
Property, later. mines, oil or gas wells, or other natural re-
sources. It also includes gains from the sale Expatriation Tax
183-day rule. If you were in the United or exchange of real property and from the
The expatriation tax provisions apply to U.S.
States for 183 days or more during the tax sale or exchange of timber, coal, or domestic
citizens who have renounced their citizenship
year, your net gain from sales or exchanges iron ore with a retained economic interest.
and long-term residents who have ended their
of capital assets is taxed at a 30% (or lower You can make this choice only for real
residency, if one of the principal purposes of
treaty) rate. For purposes of the 30% (or property income that is not otherwise con-
the action is the avoidance of U.S. taxes. The
lower treaty) rate, net gain is the excess of nected with your U.S. trade or business.
expatriation tax applies to the 10-year period
your capital gains from U.S. sources over If you make the choice, you can claim
following the date of the action.
your capital losses from U.S. sources. This deductions attributable to the real property
If you expatriated in 1999, you are pre-
rule applies even if any of the transactions income and only your net income from real
sumed to have tax avoidance as a principal
occurred while you were not in the United property is taxed.
purpose if:
States. This choice does not treat a nonresident
To determine your net gain, consider the alien, who is not otherwise engaged in a U.S. 1) Your average annual net income tax for
amount of your gains and losses that would trade or business, as being engaged in a the last five tax years ending before the
be recognized and taken into account only if, trade or business in the United States during date of the action is more than $110,000,
and to the extent that, they would be recog- the year. or
nized and taken into account if you were in a
U.S. trade or business during the year and the Making the choice. Make the initial choice 2) Your net worth on the date of the action
gains and losses were effectively connected by attaching a statement to your return, or is $552,000 or more.
with that trade or business during the tax amended return, for the year of the choice.
year. Also take into account, in arriving at Include in your statement: Ruling request. If you are presumed to have
your net gain, all gains and losses treated tax avoidance as a principal purpose because
under U.S. tax laws as gains or losses from 1) A complete list of all your real property, you meet either of the previous tests, you may
the sales or exchanges of capital assets. or any interest in real property, located be eligible to request a ruling from the IRS
In arriving at your net gain, do not take the in the United States, that you did not expatriate to avoid U.S. taxes.
following into consideration. 2) The extent of your ownership in the You must request this ruling within one year
property, from the date of expatriation. For information
• The four types of gains listed earlier. that must be included in your ruling request,
3) The location of the property, see section IV of Notice 97–19 in Cumulative
• The deduction for a capital loss carry- Bulletin 1997–1 and Notice 98–34 in Internal
over. 4) A description of any major improvements
to the property, and Revenue Bulletin 1998–27.
• Capital losses in excess of capital gains. Former U.S. citizen. If you are a former
5) Details of any previous choices and re- U.S. citizen, you are eligible to request a rul-
• Exclusion for gain from the sale or ex- vocations of the real property income ing if you are in one of the following catego-
change of qualified small business stock choice. ries:
(section 1202 exclusion).
• Losses from the sale or exchange of This choice stays in effect for all later tax 1) You became at birth a U.S. citizen and
property held for personal use. However, years unless you revoke it with the consent a citizen of another country and continue
losses resulting from casualties or thefts of the Internal Revenue Service. to be a citizen of that other country,
may be deductible on Schedule A (Form
1040NR). See Itemized Deductions in 2) You become (within a reasonable period
chapter 5. Transportation Tax after loss of U.S. citizenship) a citizen
If you have transportation income that is not of the country in which you, your spouse,
If you are not engaged in a trade or busi- effectively connected (see Transportation In- or one of your parents were born,
ness in the United States and have not es- come, earlier in this chapter), a 4% tax rate 3) You were present in the United States
tablished a tax year for a prior period, your tax applies. If you receive transportation income for no more than 30 days during each
year will be the calendar year for purposes subject to the 4% tax, you should figure the year of the 10-year period ending on the
of the 183-day rule. Also, you must file your tax and show it on line 51 of Form 1040NR. date of expatriation, or
tax return on a calendar-year basis. Attach a statement to your return that in-
If you were in the United States for less cludes the following information (if applica- 4) You lost your U.S. citizenship before
than 183 days during the tax year, capital ble): reaching age 181/2.
Page 18 Chapter 4 How Income of Aliens Is Taxed
Former long-term resident. If you are a It also includes any income or gain derived and accurate return. You will not be entitled
former long-term resident, you are eligible to from stock in certain controlled foreign cor- to any tax deductions or credits if your tax
request a ruling if you are in one of the fol- porations if you owned, or were considered liability for that year is later adjusted.
lowing categories: to own, at any time during the 2-year period
ending on the date of expatriation, more than
1) You become (within a reasonable period 50% of: Interrupted Period
after your expatriation) a resident fully
liable to income tax in one of the follow- • The total combined voting power of all
of Residence
ing countries: classes of that corporation's stock, or You are subject to tax under a special rule if
you interrupt your period of U.S. residence
a) The country in which you were • The total value of the stock. with a period of nonresidence. The special
born, rule applies if you meet all of the following
The income or gain is considered U.S. source
b) The country where your spouse conditions.
income only to the extent of your share of
was born, or earnings and profits earned or accumulated 1) You were a U.S. resident for a period
c) The country where either of your before the date of expatriation. that includes at least 3 consecutive cal-
parents was born. Any exchange of property is treated as a endar years.
sale of the property at its fair market value
2) You were present in the United States on the date of the exchange and any gain is 2) You were a U.S. resident for at least 183
for no more than 30 days during each treated as U.S. source gross income in that days in each of those years.
year of the 10-year period prior to tax year unless you enter into a gain recog-
expatriation, or 3) You ceased to be treated as a U.S. res-
nition agreement under Notice 97–19. ident.
3) You ceased to be a long-term resident
before reaching age 181/2. Other information. For more information on 4) You then again became a U.S. resident
the expatriation tax provisions, including ex- before the end of the third calendar year
You will not qualify under category (1) if ceptions to the tax and special U.S. source after the period described in (1) above.
you are not domiciled in that country unless rules, see section 877 of the Internal Revenue
your income is taxed in the same manner as Code. Under this special rule, you are subject to
a resident domiciled in that country. tax on your U.S. source gross income and
gains on a net basis at the graduated rates
Long-term residents. You are a long-term
Reporting Requirements applicable to individuals (with allowable de-
resident if you were a lawful permanent resi- If you lost your U.S. citizenship, you must file ductions) for the period you were a nonresi-
dent of the United States in at least 8 of the Form 8854, Expatriation Information State- dent alien, unless you would be subject to a
last 15 tax years ending with the year your ment, with a consular office, or a federal court higher tax under the 30% tax (discussed
residency ends. In determining if you meet at the time of loss of citizenship. If you end earlier) on income not connected with a U.S.
the 8-year requirement, do not count any year your long-term residency, you must file Form trade or business.
that you are treated as a resident of a foreign 8854 with the Internal Revenue Service when
country under a tax treaty and do not waive you file your tax return for the year your resi- Example. John Willow, a citizen of New
treaty benefits. dency ends. Zealand, entered the United States on April
Your U.S. residency is considered to have 1, 1994, as a lawful permanent resident. On
ended when you cease to be a lawful per- Penalties. If you fail to file Form 8854, you August 1, 1996, John ceased to be a lawful
manent resident or you commence to be may have to pay a penalty equal to the permanent resident and returned to New
treated as a resident of another country under greater of 5% of the expatriation tax or Zealand. During his period of residence, he
a tax treaty and do not waive treaty benefits. $1,000. The penalty will be assessed for was present in the United States for at least
each year during which your failure to file 183 days in each of three consecutive years
Tax. If the expatriation tax applies to you, you continues for the 10-year period. The penalty (1994, 1995, and 1996). He returned to the
are generally subject to tax on your U.S. will not be imposed if you can show that the United States on October 5, 1999, as a lawful
source gross income and gains on a net basis failure is due to reasonable cause and not permanent resident. He became a resident
at the graduated rates applicable to individ- willful neglect. before the close of the third calendar year
uals (with allowable deductions), unless you (1999) beginning after the end of his first pe-
would be subject to a higher tax under the Expatriation tax return. If you are subject riod of residence (August 1, 1996). Therefore,
30% tax (discussed earlier) on income not to the expatriation tax, you must file Form he is subject to tax under the special rule for
connected with a U.S. trade or business. In 1040NR for each year of the 10-year period the period of nonresidence (August 2, 1996,
making this determination, you may not claim following expatriation. Complete line “P” on through October 4, 1999) if it is more than the
that an income tax treaty in effect on August page 5 of Form 1040NR. See Special Rules tax that would normally apply to him as a
21, 1996, reduces your tax liability under the for Former U.S. Citizens and Former Long- nonresident alien.
30% tax on any items of U.S. source income. Term U.S. Residents in the instructions for
For this purpose, U.S. source gross in- Form 1040NR. You must attach a statement Reporting requirements. If you are subject
come (defined in chapter 2) includes gains to Form 1040NR listing, by category (divi- to this tax for any year in the period you were
from the sale or exchange of: dends, interest, etc.), all items of U.S. and a nonresident alien, you must file Form
foreign source income, whether or not taxable 1040NR for that year. The return is due by the
• Property (other than stock or debt obli- in the United States. If you are a former citi- due date (including extensions) for filing your
gations) located in the United States, zen and you have not filed Form 8854 or a U.S. income tax return for the year that you
statement containing the information set forth again become a U.S. resident. If you already
• Stock issued by a U.S. domestic corpo- in Section IX of Notice 97–19, you should at- filed returns for that period, you must file
ration, and tach Form 8854 to your first Form 1040NR amended returns. You must attach a state-
• Debt obligations of U.S. persons or of the following expatriation. ment to your return that identifies the source
United States, a state or political subdi- If you do not attach a complete statement of all of your U.S. and foreign gross income
vision thereof, or the District of Columbia. in any year you are liable for any U.S. taxes, and the items of income subject to this special
you will not be considered to have filed a true rule.

Chapter 4 How Income of Aliens Is Taxed Page 19


See chapter 12 for information about get- Joint return. Generally, you cannot file a
ting these publications and forms. joint return if either spouse was a nonresident
5. alien at any time during the tax year.
However, nonresident aliens married to
U.S. citizens or residents can choose to be
Figuring Your Tax Year treated as U.S. residents and file joint returns.
For more information on these choices, see
You must figure your income and file a tax chapter 1.
Tax return on the basis of an annual accounting
period called a tax year. If you have not Qualifying widow(er). You may be eligible
previously established a fiscal tax year, your to file as a qualifying widow(er) and use the
tax year is the calendar year. A calendar year joint return tax rates if:
is 12 consecutive months ending on Decem-
Introduction ber 31. If you have previously established a
regular fiscal year (12 consecutive months
1) You were a resident of Canada, Mexico,
Japan, or South Korea, or a U.S. na-
The information in this chapter is not as ending on the last day of a month other than tional (defined below),
comprehensive for resident aliens as it is for December or a 52–53 week year) and are
nonresident aliens. Resident aliens should considered to be a U.S. resident for any cal- 2) Your spouse died in 1997 or 1998 and
get publications, forms, and instructions for endar year, you will be treated as a U.S. you have not remarried, and
U.S. citizens, because the information for fil- resident for any part of your fiscal year that 3) You have a dependent child living with
ing returns for resident aliens is generally the falls within that calendar year. you.
same as for U.S. citizens.
If you are both a nonresident alien and a See the instructions for Form 1040NR for the
resident alien in the same tax year, see rules for filing as a qualifying widow(er) with
chapter 6 for a discussion of dual-status al-
iens. Filing Status a dependent child.
A U.S. national is an individual who, al-
The rules for filing status are different for though not a U.S. citizen, owes his or her al-
resident aliens and nonresident aliens.
Topics legiance to the United States. U.S. nationals
This chapter discusses: include American Samoans and Northern
Mariana Islanders who chose to become U.S.
Resident Aliens nationals instead of U.S. citizens.
• Filing status
Resident aliens can use the same filing
• Identification numbers statuses available to U.S. citizens. See your Head of household. You cannot file as head
• Deductions form instructions or Publication 501 for more of household if you are a nonresident alien
information on filing status. at any time during the tax year. However, if
• Exemptions
you are married, your spouse can qualify as
• Tax credits and payments Joint return. Generally, you can file a joint a head of household if:
return only if both you and your spouse were
• Special rules for bona fide residents of resident aliens for the entire tax year, or if you 1) Your spouse is a resident alien or U.S.
American Samoa and Puerto Rico make one of the choices discussed in chapter citizen for the entire tax year,
1 to treat your spouse as a resident alien for
the entire tax year. 2) You do not choose to be treated as a
Useful Items resident alien, and
You may want to see: Qualifying widow(er). If your spouse died 3) Your spouse meets the other require-
in 1997 or 1998, you have not remarried, and ments for this filing status.
Publication you have a dependent child living with you,
you may qualify to file as a qualifying Note. Even if your spouse is considered
 463 Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and widow(er) and use the joint return tax rates. unmarried for head of household purposes
Car Expenses This applies only if you could have filed a joint because you are a nonresident alien, your
return with your spouse for the year your spouse may still be considered married for
 501 Exemptions, Standard Deduction, spouse died. purposes of the earned income credit. In that
and Filing Information case, your spouse will not be entitled to the
 521 Moving Expenses Head of household. You can qualify as head credit. See Publication 501 for more informa-
of household if you are unmarried or consid- tion.
 526 Charitable Contributions ered unmarried on the last day of the year
 535 Business Expenses and you pay more than half the cost of Married filing separately. Married nonresi-
keeping up a home for you and a qualifying dent aliens who are not married to U.S. citi-
 597 Information on the United person. You must be a resident alien for the zens or residents generally must use the Tax
States–Canada Income Tax entire tax year. Table column or the Tax Rate Schedule for
Treaty You are considered unmarried for this married filing separate returns when deter-
purpose if your spouse was a nonresident mining the tax on income effectively con-
Form (and Instructions) alien at any time during the year and you do nected with a U.S. trade or business. They
not make one of the choices discussed in normally cannot use the Tax Table column
 W–7 Application for IRS Individual chapter 1 to treat your spouse as a resident or the Tax Rate Schedule for single individ-
Taxpayer Identification Number alien for the entire tax year. uals. However, if you are a married resident
Note. Even if you are considered unmar- of Canada, Mexico, Japan, or South Korea,
 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
ried for head of household purposes because or are a married U.S. national, you may be
 1040NR U.S. Nonresident Alien Income you are married to a nonresident alien, you able to file as single if you lived apart from
Tax Return may still be considered married for purposes your spouse during the last 6 months of the
of the earned income credit. In that case, you year. See the instructions for Form 1040NR
 1040NR–EZ U.S. Income Tax Return for will not be entitled to the credit. See Publica- to see if you qualify. U.S. national was defined
Certain Nonresident Aliens With tion 501 for more information. earlier in this section under Qualifying
No Dependents widow(er).
 2106 Employee Business Expenses Nonresident aliens who are married to
Nonresident Aliens U.S. citizens or residents can choose to be
 2106–EZ Unreimbursed Employee Busi- If you are a nonresident alien filing Form treated as a resident and file a joint return.
ness Expenses 1040NR, you may be able to use one of the For information on these choices, see chapter
 3903 Moving Expenses filing statuses discussed below. If you are fil- 1. If you do not make the choice to file jointly,
ing Form 1040NR–EZ, you can only claim use the Tax Table column or the Tax Rate
 4563 Exclusion of Income for Bona Fide “Single nonresident alien” or “Married non- Schedule for married individuals filing sepa-
Residents of American Samoa resident alien” as your filing status. rately.
Page 20 Chapter 5 Figuring Your Tax
A nonresident alien estate or trust using • Alien individuals who are claimed as de- by insurance, etc., to the extent that they re-
Form 1040NR must use Tax Rate Schedule pendents and are not eligible for an SSN, late to income that is effectively connected
W in the Form 1040NR instructions when and with a trade or business in the United States.
determining the tax on income effectively
connected with a U.S. trade or business. • Alien individual spouses who are claimed
as exemptions and are not eligible for an Individual retirement arrangement (IRA).
SSN. You may qualify to establish a traditional IRA
Special rules for aliens from certain U.S. whether or not you are covered by a qualified
possessions. A nonresident alien who is a retirement plan at work. You can contribute
Employer identification number. An indi-
bona fide resident of American Samoa or the smaller of $2,000 or your taxable com-
vidual may use an SSN (or ITIN) for individual
Puerto Rico for the entire tax year and who pensation effectively connected with your
taxes and an EIN for business taxes. To apply
is temporarily working in the United States U.S. trade or business to an IRA each year.
for an EIN, file Form SS–4, Application for
should read Bona Fide Residents of American If you or your spouse are covered by a plan
Employer Identification Number, with the IRS.
Samoa or Puerto Rico, at the end of this at work, or you are self-employed and had a
chapter, for information about special rules. Keogh, SEP, or SIMPLE retirement plan, you
can only deduct these contributions subject
to certain limits.
Reporting Your For more information, see Publication 590,
Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
Identification Number Income (Including Roth IRAs and Education IRAs).
A taxpayer identification number must be fur- You must report each item of income that is
nished on returns, statements, and other tax- taxable according to the rules in chapters 2, Moving expenses. If you are a nonresident
related documents. For an individual, this is 3, and 4. For resident aliens, this includes alien temporarily in the United States earning
a social security number (SSN). If you do not income from sources both within and outside taxable income for performing personal ser-
have and are not eligible to get an SSN, the the United States. For nonresident aliens, this vices, you can deduct moving expenses to
IRS will issue you an individual taxpayer includes both income that is effectively con- the United States if you meet both of the fol-
identification number (ITIN). An employer nected with a trade or business in the United lowing tests.
identification number (EIN) is required if you States (subject to graduated tax rates) and
are an employer or are engaged in a trade income from U.S. sources that is not effec- 1) You are a full-time employee for at least
or business as a sole proprietor. tively connected (subject to a flat 30% tax rate 39 weeks during the 12 months right af-
You must furnish a taxpayer identification or lower tax treaty rate). ter you move, or if you are self-
number if you are: employed, you work full time for at least
39 weeks during the first 12 months and
1) An alien who has income effectively 78 weeks during the first 24 months right
connected with the conduct of a U.S. after you move.
trade or business at any time during the Deductions
year, Resident and nonresident aliens can claim 2) Your new job location is at least 50 miles
similar deductions on their U.S. tax returns. farther (by the shortest commonly trav-
2) An alien who has a U.S. office or place However, nonresident aliens generally can eled route) from your former home than
of business at any time during the year, claim only deductions related to income that your former job location was. If you had
is effectively connected with their U.S. trade no former job location, the new job lo-
or business. cation must be at least 50 miles from
3) A nonresident alien spouse treated as a your former home.
resident, as discussed in chapter 1, or
Resident Aliens You cannot deduct the moving expense
4) Any other alien who files a tax return, an
you have when returning to your home
amended return, or a refund claim (but You can claim the same deductions allowed abroad or moving to a foreign job site.
not information returns). to U.S. citizens if you are a resident alien for Figure your deductible moving expenses
the entire tax year. While the discussion that to the United States on Form 3903, and de-
Social security number. Generally, you can follows contains some of the same general duct them on line 27 of Form 1040NR.
get an SSN if you have been lawfully admitted rules and guidelines that apply to you, it is For more information on the moving ex-
to the United States for permanent residence specifically directed toward nonresident al- pense deduction, see Publication 521.
or under other immigration categories that iens. You should get Form 1040 and in- Reimbursements. If you were reim-
authorize U.S. employment. structions for more information on how to bursed by your employer for allowable moving
To apply for this number, get Form SS–5, claim your allowable deductions. expenses, your employer should have ex-
Application for a Social Security Card, from cluded these reimbursements from your in-
your local Social Security Administration of- come. You can only deduct allowable moving
fice or call the SSA at 1–800–772–1213. The Nonresident Aliens expenses that were not reimbursed by your
completed form should be returned to the You can claim deductions to figure your ef- employer or that were reimbursed but the re-
SSA. It usually takes about 2 weeks to get fectively connected taxable income. You imbursement was included in your income.
an SSN. generally cannot claim deductions related to For more information, see Publication 521.
income that is not connected with your U.S. Moving expense or travel expense. If
Individual taxpayer identification number. business activities. Except for personal ex- you deduct moving expenses to the United
If you are not eligible to obtain an SSN, you emptions, and certain itemized deductions, States, you cannot also deduct travel ex-
must get an ITIN. Enter your ITIN wherever discussed later, you can claim deductions penses (discussed, later, under Itemized De-
an SSN is required on your tax return. only to the extent they are connected with ductions) while temporarily away from your
your effectively connected income. tax home in a foreign country. Moving ex-
You cannot claim the earned income penses are based on a change in your prin-
! credit, discussed later, using an ITIN.
CAUTION You, your spouse if married, and any
Ordinary and necessary business ex- cipal place of business while travel expenses
are based on your temporary absence from
penses. You can deduct all ordinary and
qualifying child must have SSNs. necessary expenses in the operation of your your principal place of business.
U.S. trade or business to the extent they re-
ITINs are for tax use only. They do not late to income effectively connected with that Keogh and self-employed SEP and
affect your immigration status or your right to trade or business. The deduction for travel SIMPLE plans. If you are self-employed, you
be legally employed in the United States. expenses while in the United States is dis- may be able to deduct contributions to a
To apply for an ITIN, file Form W–7 with cussed, later, under Itemized Deductions. For qualified retirement plan that provides retire-
the IRS. It usually takes about 30 days to get information about other business expenses, ment benefits for yourself and your com-
an ITIN. see Publication 535. mon-law employees, if any. To make deduct-
In addition to those aliens who are re- ible contributions for yourself, you must have
quired to furnish a taxpayer identification Losses. You can deduct losses resulting net earnings from self-employment that are
number and are not eligible for an SSN, a from transactions that you entered into for effectively connected with your U.S. trade or
Form W–7 should be filed for: profit and that you were not reimbursed for business.
Chapter 5 Figuring Your Tax Page 21
Get Publication 560, Retirement Plans for filing status, your deduction for exemptions $9,000
Small Business (SEP, SIMPLE, and Keogh may be reduced or eliminated. Use the ⫻ $8,250* = $6,188
$12,000
Plans), for further information. worksheet in your income tax return in-
structions to figure the amount, if any, you can * 3 ⫻ $2,750
Penalty on early withdrawal of savings. deduct.
You must include in income all effectively
connected interest income you receive or that • $94,975 if married filing separately Students and business apprentices from
is credited to your account during the year. • $126,600 if single India. Students and business apprentices
Do not reduce it by any penalty you must pay who are eligible for the benefits of Article
on an early withdrawal from a time savings • $158,300 if head of household 21(2) of the United States–India Income Tax
account. However, if the interest income is Treaty may be able to claim exemptions for
• $189,950 if married filing jointly or a
effectively connected with your U.S. trade or their spouse and dependents.
qualifying widow(er) with dependent child
business during the year, you can deduct on You can claim an exemption for your
line 30 of Form 1040NR the amount of the spouse if he or she had no gross income
early withdrawal penalty that the banking in- during the year and is not the dependent of
stitution charged. Nonresident Aliens another taxpayer.
Generally, if you are a nonresident alien en- You can claim exemptions for each of your
Student loan interest. You may be able to gaged in a trade or business in the United dependents not admitted to the United States
deduct interest you pay on a qualified student States, you can claim only one personal ex- on “F–2,” “J–2,” or “M–2” visas if they meet
loan. You can deduct student loan interest if emption ($2,750 for 1999). You may be able the same rules that apply to U.S. citizens. See
all of the following apply. to claim an exemption for a spouse and a Publication 501 for these rules.
dependent if you are described in any of the List your spouse and dependents on line
1) You paid interest in 1999 on a qualified following discussions. 7c of Form 1040NR. Also enter the total on
student loan. the appropriate line to the right of line 7c.
Your spouse and each dependent
2) At least part of the interest paid in 1999 !
CAUTION
must have either an SSN or an ITIN.
See Identification Number, earlier.
Phase-out of exemptions. If the adjusted
was paid during the first 60 months that gross income shown on line 33 of Form
payments were required to be made. 1040NR is more than the amount shown be-
Residents of Mexico or Canada or U.S. low for your filing status, your deduction for
3) Your filing status is any status except
nationals. If you are a resident of Mexico or exemptions may be reduced or eliminated.
married filing separately.
Canada or a national of the United States Use the worksheet in the Form 1040NR in-
4) Your modified adjusted gross income is (defined earlier), you can also claim a per- structions to figure the amount, if any, you can
less than $55,000. sonal exemption for your spouse if your deduct.
spouse had no gross income for U.S. tax
5) You are not claimed as a dependent on purposes and was not the dependent of an- • $94,975 if married filing separately
someone's 1999 tax return. other taxpayer. In addition, you can claim • $126,600 if single
exemptions for your dependents who meet
For more information see Publication 970, certain tests. Residents of Mexico, Canada, • $189,950 if a qualifying widow(er) with
Tax Benefits for Higher Education. or nationals of the United States must use the dependent child
same rules as U.S. citizens to determine who
is a dependent and for which dependents
exemptions can be claimed. See Publication
Exemptions 501 for these rules. For purposes of these
rules, dependents who are U.S. nationals Itemized Deductions
While resident aliens can claim personal ex- meet the citizenship test discussed in Publi- Nonresident aliens can claim some of the
emptions and exemptions for dependents in cation 501. same itemized deductions that resident aliens
the same way as U.S. citizens, nonresident can claim. However, nonresident aliens can
aliens generally can claim only a personal claim itemized deductions only if they have
exemption for themselves on their U.S. tax Residents of Japan or South Korea. Non-
resident aliens who are residents of Japan income effectively connected with their U.S.
return. trade or business.
or South Korea may be able to claim ex-
emptions for a spouse and children. The tax Resident and nonresident aliens may not
treaties with Japan and Korea impose two be able to claim all of their itemized de-
Resident Aliens additional requirements on Japanese or ductions. If your adjusted gross income is
You can claim personal exemptions and ex- Korean residents: more than $126,600 ($63,300 if married filing
emptions for dependents according to the separately), use the worksheet in your income
dependency rules for U.S. citizens. You can 1) The spouse and all children claimed tax return instructions to figure the amount
claim an exemption for your spouse if your must live with the alien in the United you can deduct.
spouse had no gross income for U.S. tax States at some time during the tax year,
purposes and was not the dependent of an- and
other taxpayer. You can claim this exemption Resident Aliens
even if you do not choose to file a joint return, 2) The additional deduction for the ex- You can claim the same itemized deductions
and even if your spouse has not been a resi- emptions must be prorated based on the as U.S. citizens, using Schedule A of Form
dent alien for a full tax year or is an alien who ratio of the alien's U.S. source gross in- 1040. These deductions include certain med-
has not come to the United States. come effectively connected with a U.S. ical and dental expenses, state and local in-
You can claim an exemption for each trade or business for the tax year to the come taxes, real estate taxes, interest you
person who qualifies as a dependent accord- alien's entire income from all sources paid on a home mortgage, charitable contri-
ing to the rules for U.S. citizens. The de- during the tax year. butions, casualty and theft losses, and mis-
pendent must be a citizen or national (defined cellaneous deductions.
earlier) of the United States or be a resident Example. Mr. Sato, a nonresident alien If you do not itemize your deductions, you
of the United States, Canada, or Mexico for who is a resident of Japan, lives temporarily can claim the standard deduction for your
some part of the calendar year in which your in the United States with his wife and two particular filing status. For further information,
tax year begins. Get Publication 501 for more children. During the tax year he receives U.S. see Form 1040 and instructions.
information. compensation of $9,000. He also receives
$3,000 of income from sources outside the
Your spouse and each dependent United States that is not effectively connected Nonresident Aliens
!
CAUTION
must have either an SSN or an ITIN.
See Identification Number, earlier.
with his U.S. trade or business. Thus, his total You can deduct certain itemized deductions
income for the year is $12,000. Mr. Sato if you receive income effectively connected
meets all requirements for claiming ex- with your U.S. trade or business. These de-
Phase-out of exemptions. If the adjusted emptions for his spouse and two children. ductions include state and local income taxes,
gross income shown on your tax return is The additional deduction is $6,188 figured as charitable contributions to U.S. organizations,
more than the amount shown below for your follows: casualty and theft losses, and miscellaneous
Page 22 Chapter 5 Figuring Your Tax
deductions. Use Schedule A of Form 1040NR 2) Whether the organization did or did not • Union dues,
to claim itemized deductions. give you any goods or services in return
If you are filing Form 1040NR–EZ, you for your contribution. • Safety equipment and small tools needed
can only claim a deduction for state or local for your job,
income taxes. If you are claiming any other If you did receive any goods or services, a • Dues to professional organizations,
deduction, you must file Form 1040NR. description and estimate of the value must
• Subscriptions to professional journals,
be included. If you received only intangible
and
Standard deduction. Nonresident aliens religious benefits, the organization must state
cannot claim the standard deduction. How- this, but it does not have to describe or value • Tax return preparation fees.
ever, see Students and business apprentices the benefit.
Contributions of appreciated property. Most miscellaneous deductions are
from India, next. deductible only if they are more than 2% of
Students and business apprentices If you contribute property with a fair market
value that is more than your basis in it, you your adjusted gross income (line 33, Form
from India. A special rule applies to students 1040NR). For more information on miscella-
and business apprentices who are eligible for may have to reduce the fair market value by
the amount of appreciation (increase in value) neous deductions, see the instructions for
the benefits of Article 21(2) of the United Form 1040NR.
States–India Income Tax Treaty. You can when you figure your deduction. Your basis
claim the standard deduction provided you in the property is generally what you paid for
it. If you need more information about basis, Travel expenses. You may be able to de-
do not claim itemized deductions. duct your ordinary and necessary travel ex-
Use Table 7, 8, or 9 in Publication 501 to get Publication 551, Basis of Assets.
Different rules apply to figuring your de- penses while you are temporarily performing
figure your standard deduction. If you are personal services in the United States. Gen-
married and your spouse files a return and duction, depending on whether the property
is: erally, a temporary assignment in a single lo-
itemizes deductions, you cannot take the cation is one that is realistically expected to
standard deduction. last (and does in fact last) for one year or less.
If you are filing Form 1040NR, enter the 1) Ordinary income property, or
You must be able to show you were present
standard deduction on line 35 of Form 2) Capital gain property. in the United States on an activity that re-
1040NR. In the space to the left of line 35, quired your temporary absence from your
write, “Standard Deduction Allowed Under Limit. The amount you can deduct in a regular place of work.
U.S.–India Income Tax Treaty.” If you are fil- tax year is limited in the same way it is for a For example, if you have established a
ing Form 1040NR–EZ, enter the amount on citizen or resident of the United States. For “tax home” through regular employment in a
line 11. a discussion of limits on charitable contribu- foreign country, and intend to return to similar
tions and other information, get Publication employment in the same country at the end
State and local income taxes. If during the 526. of your temporary stay in the United States,
tax year, you receive income that is con- you can deduct reasonable travel expenses
nected with a trade or business in the United Casualty and theft losses. You can deduct you paid. You cannot deduct travel expenses
States, you can deduct state and local income your loss from fire, storm, shipwreck, or other for other members of your family or party.
taxes you paid on that income. casualty, or theft of property even though your Deductible travel expenses. If you
property is not connected with a U.S. trade qualify, you can deduct your expenses for:
Charitable contributions. You can deduct or business. The property can be personal
use property or income-producing property 1) Transportation—airfare, local transpor-
your charitable contributions or gifts to qual- tation, including train, bus, etc.,
ified organizations subject to certain limits. not connected with a U.S. trade or business.
Qualified organizations include organizations The property must be located in the United 2) Lodging—rent paid, utilities (do not in-
that are religious, charitable, educational, States at the time of the casualty or theft. You clude telephone), hotel or motel room
scientific, or literary in nature, or that work to can deduct theft losses only in the year in expenses, and
prevent cruelty to children or animals. Certain which you discover the loss.
The fair market value of the property im- 3) Meal expenses—actual expenses al-
organizations that promote national or inter-
mediately before the casualty or theft less its lowed if you keep records of the
national amateur sports competition are also
fair market value immediately after the casu- amounts, or, if you do not wish to keep
qualified organizations.
alty or theft (but not more than its cost or ad- detailed records, you are generally al-
Foreign organizations. Contributions
justed basis) less any insurance or other lowed a standard meal allowance
made directly to a foreign organization are not
compensation is the amount of the loss. The amount depending on the date and area
deductible. However, you can deduct contri-
fair market value of property immediately after of your travel. You can deduct only 50%
butions to a U.S. organization that transfers
a theft is considered zero, since you no longer of unreimbursed meal expenses. The
funds to a charitable foreign organization if
have the property. standard meal allowances rates are
the U.S. organization controls the use of the
If your property is covered by insurance, given in Publication 463.
funds or if the foreign organization is only an
administrative arm of the U.S. organization. you should file a timely insurance claim for
reimbursement. If you do not, you cannot Use Form 2106 or 2106–EZ to figure your
For more information about organizations allowable expenses that you claim on line 9
that qualify to receive charitable contributions, deduct this loss as a casualty or theft loss.
Figure your deductible casualty and theft of Schedule A (Form 1040NR).
see Publication 526, Charitable Expenses allocable to U.S. tax-exempt
Contributions. losses on Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts.
Losses from personal use property. income. You cannot deduct an expense, or
Contributions from which you benefit. part of an expense, that is allocable to U.S.
If you receive a benefit as a result of making You cannot deduct the first $100 of each
casualty or theft loss to property held for tax-exempt income, including income exempt
a contribution to a qualified organization, you by tax treaty.
can deduct only the amount of your contribu- personal use. You can deduct only the total
tion that is more than the value of the benefit of these losses for the year that is more than Example. Irina Oak, a citizen of Poland,
you receive. 10% of your adjusted gross income (line 33, resided in the United States for part of the
If you pay more than the fair market value Form 1040NR) for the year. year to acquire business experience from a
to a qualified organization for merchandise, Losses from income-producing prop- U.S. company. During her stay in the United
goods, or services, the amount you pay that erty. These losses are not subject to the States, she received a salary of $8,000 from
is more than the value of the item can be a limitations that apply to personal use property. her Polish employer. She received no other
charitable contribution. For the excess Use Section B of Form 4684 to figure your U.S. source income. She spent $3,000 on
amount to qualify, you must pay it with the deduction for these losses. travel expenses, of which $1,000 were for
intent to make a charitable contribution. meals. None of these expenses were reim-
Contributions of $250 or more. You Job expenses and other miscellaneous bursed. Under the tax treaty with Poland,
may deduct a contribution of $250 or more deductions. You can deduct job expenses, $5,000 of her salary is exempt from U.S. in-
only if you have a written statement from the such as allowable unreimbursed travel ex- come tax. In filling out Form 2106–EZ, she
charitable organization showing: penses (discussed next), and other miscella- must reduce her deductible meal expenses
neous deductions. Generally, the allowable by half ($500). She must reduce the remain-
1) The amount of any money contributed deductions must be related to effectively ing $2,500 of travel expenses by 62.5%
and a description (but not value) of any connected income. Deductible expenses in- ($1,563) because 62.5% ($5,000 ÷ $8,000)
property donated, and clude: of her salary is exempt from tax. She enters
Chapter 5 Figuring Your Tax Page 23
the remaining total of $937 on line 9 of earned income. To claim a credit for income you can work or look for work. Generally, you
Schedule A (Form 1040NR). She completes taxes paid or accrued to a foreign country, must be able to claim an exemption for your
the remaining lines according to the in- you generally will file Form 1116, Foreign Tax dependent.
structions for Schedule A. Credit (Individual, Estate, Trust or Nonresi- Married nonresident aliens can claim the
dent Alien Individual), with your Form 1040. credit only if they choose to file a joint return
More information. For more information For more information, get Publication 514, with a U.S. citizen or resident spouse as dis-
about deductible expenses, reimbursements, Foreign Tax Credit for Individuals. cussed in chapter 1, or if they qualify as cer-
and recordkeeping, get Publication 463. tain married individuals living apart (see Mar-
Earned income credit. You may qualify for ried Persons Who Live Apart under Filing
an earned income credit of up to $2,312 if Status in the Form 1040NR instructions).
your child lived with you in the United States The amount of your child and dependent
Tax Credits and your earned income and modified ad- care expense that qualifies for the credit in
any tax year cannot be more than your
justed gross income were each less than
and Payments $26,928. If two or more children lived with you earned income from the United States for that
This discussion covers tax credits and pay- in the United States and your earned income tax year. Earned income generally means
ments for resident aliens, followed by a dis- and modified adjusted gross income were wages, salaries, and professional fees for
cussion of the credits and payments for non- each less than $30,580, your credit could be personal services performed.
resident aliens. as much as $3,816. If you do not have a For more information, get Publication 503.
qualifying child and your earned income and
modified adjusted gross income were each Child tax credit. You may be able to take
Resident Aliens less than $10,200, your credit could be as this credit if you have a qualifying child. For
Resident aliens generally claim tax credits much as $347. If you are married, you must this credit a qualifying child:
and report tax payments, including withhold- file a joint return to qualify unless you lived
ing, using the same rules that apply to U.S. apart from your spouse during the last 6 • Is a U.S. citizen, national, or resident al-
citizens. months of the year and you are eligible to file ien,
The following items are some of the cred- as head of household.
• Is claimed as a dependent on your tax
its you may be able to claim. You, your spouse, and any qualifying return,

Child care credit. You may be able to take


! child must have SSNs. You cannot
CAUTION claim this credit using an ITIN. See
• Is your son, daughter, adopted child,
grandchild, stepchild, or foster child, and
this credit if you pay someone to care for your Identification Number, earlier.
dependent who is under age 13, or your dis- • Was under age 17 at the end of the year.
abled dependent or disabled spouse, so that Advance earned income credit. You
you can work or look for work. Generally, you Use the Child Tax Credit Worksheet in the
may be able to get advance payments of part
must be able to claim an exemption for your Form 1040 instructions to figure the amount
of the credit for one child in 2000 instead of
dependent. of your credit.
waiting until you file your 2000 tax return. Fill
For more information, get Publication 503, out the 2000 Form W–5, Earned Income
Child and Dependent Care Expenses, and Credit Advance Payment Certificate. If you Education credits. If you are a nonresident
Form 2441, Child and Dependent Care Ex- expect to qualify for the credit in 2000, give alien for any part of the year, you generally
penses. the bottom part of the form to your employer. cannot claim the education credits. However,
Your employer will include part of the credit if you are married and choose to file a joint
Credit for the elderly or the disabled. You regularly in your pay during 2000. return with a U.S. citizen or resident spouse
may qualify for this credit if you are 65 or over If you received advance payments of the as discussed in chapter 1, you may be eligible
or if you retired on permanent and total disa- earned income credit in 1999, you must file for these credits.
bility. For more information on this credit, get a 1999 tax return to report the payments.
Publication 524, Credit for the Elderly or the Your Form W–2 will show the amount you Foreign tax credit. If you receive income
Disabled, and Schedule R (Form 1040). received. from sources outside the United States that
Other information. There are other el- is effectively connected with a trade or busi-
Child tax credit. You may be able to take igibility rules that are not discussed here. For ness in the United States, you can claim a
this credit if you have a qualifying child. For more information, get Publication 596, Earned credit for any income taxes paid or accrued
this credit a qualifying child: Income Credit. to any foreign country or U.S. possession on
that income.
• Is a U.S. citizen, national, or resident al- Adoption credit. You may qualify to take a If you do not have foreign source income
ien, tax credit of up to $5,000 for qualifying ex- effectively connected with a U.S. trade or
• Is claimed as a dependent on your tax penses paid to adopt an eligible child. The business, you cannot claim credits against
return, credit can be as much as $6,000 if the ex- your U.S. tax for taxes paid or accrued to a
penses are for the adoption of a child with foreign country or U.S. possession.
• Is your son, daughter, adopted child, special needs. To claim the adoption credit, You cannot take any credit for taxes im-
grandchild, stepchild, or foster child, and file Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, posed by a foreign country or U.S. pos-
• Was under age 17 at the end of the year. with your Form 1040 or Form 1040A. For session on your U.S. source income if those
more information, get Publication 968, Tax taxes were imposed because you are a citi-
Use the Child Tax Credit Worksheet in your Benefits for Adoption. zen or resident of the foreign country or pos-
form instructions to figure the amount of your session.
credit. If you claim a foreign tax credit, you gen-
Nonresident Aliens erally will have to attach to your return a Form
Education credits. You may qualify for You can claim some of the same credits that 1116 which contains additional information
these credits if you paid qualified tuition and resident aliens can claim. You can also report about the credit and limits.
related expenses for yourself, your spouse, certain taxes you paid, are considered to
or your dependent. There are two education have paid, or that were withheld from your Credit for prior year minimum tax. If you
credits: the Hope credit and the lifetime income. paid alternative minimum tax in a prior year,
learning credit. You cannot claim these cred- get Form 8801, Credit for Prior Year Minimum
its if you are married filing separately. Use Tax—Individuals, Estates, and Trusts, to see
Form 8863, Education Credits (Hope and Credits if you qualify for this credit.
Lifetime Learning Credits), to figure the credit. Credits are allowed only if you receive effec-
For more information, see Publication 970. tively connected income. You may be able to Earned income credit. If you are a nonres-
claim some of the following credits. ident alien for any part of the tax year, you
Foreign tax credit. You can claim a credit, generally cannot get the earned income
subject to certain limits, for income tax you Child care credit. You may qualify for this credit. However, if you are married and
paid or accrued to a foreign country on foreign credit if you pay someone to care for your choose to file a joint return with a U.S. citizen
source income. You cannot claim a credit for dependent who is under age 13, or your dis- or resident spouse as discussed in chapter
taxes paid or accrued on excluded foreign abled dependent or disabled spouse, so that 1, you may be eligible for the credit.
Page 24 Chapter 5 Figuring Your Tax
You, your spouse, and any qualifying statement on Form 8805, Foreign Partner's agencies). For more information about this
! child must have SSNs. You cannot
CAUTION claim this credit using an ITIN. See
Information Statement of Section 1446 With-
holding Tax, showing the tax withheld. A
exclusion, get Publication 570, Tax Guide for
Individuals With Income From U.S. Pos-
Identification Number, earlier. partnership that is publicly traded may with- sessions.
hold on your actual distributions of effectively
See Publication 596 for more information connected income. In this case, the partner-
on the credit. ship will give you a statement on Form
1042–S. In either case, claim the tax withheld
Adoption credit. You may qualify to take a as a payment on line 61b of Form 1040NR.
tax credit of up to $5,000 for qualifying ex-
penses paid to adopt an eligible child. The Claiming tax withheld on your return.
6.
credit can be as much as $6,000 if the ex- When you fill out your tax return, take extra
penses are for the adoption of a child with
special needs. To claim the adoption credit,
care to enter the correct amount of any tax
withheld shown on your information docu-
Dual-Status
file Form 8839 with your Form 1040NR. For
more information, get Publication 968.
ments. The following table lists some of the
more common information documents and Tax Year
Married nonresident aliens can claim the shows where to find the amount of tax with-
credit only if they choose to file a joint return held.
with a U.S. citizen or resident spouse as dis-
cussed in chapter 1, or if they qualify as cer-
tain married individuals living apart (see Mar- Form Number
Location of
Tax Withheld
Introduction
ried Persons Who Live Apart under Filing You have a dual-status tax year when you
RRB–1042S .................................. Box 12
Status in the Form 1040NR instructions). SSA–1042S .................................. Box 9 have been both a resident alien and a non-
W–2 .............................................. Box 2 resident alien in the same year. Dual status
Tax Withheld W–2c ............................................. Line 2 does not refer to your citizenship, only to your
1042–S ......................................... Column (g) resident status in the United States. In deter-
You can claim the tax withheld during the year 8805 .............................................. Line 11 mining your U.S. income tax liability for a
as a payment against your U.S. tax. You 8288–A ......................................... Box 2 dual-status tax year, different rules apply for
claim it in the “Payments” section on page 2
the part of the year you are a resident of the
of Form 1040NR. The tax withheld reduces
United States and the part of the year you are
any tax you owe with Form 1040NR.
a nonresident.
Withholding from wages. Any federal in- Bona Fide Residents The most common dual-status tax years
are the years of arrival and departure. See
come tax withheld from your wages during the
tax year while you were a nonresident alien of American Samoa Dual Status Aliens in chapter 1.
If you are married and choose to be
is allowed as a payment against your U.S.
income tax liability for the same year. You can or Puerto Rico treated as a U.S. resident for the entire year,
as explained in chapter 1, the rules of this
claim the income tax withheld whether or not If you are a nonresident alien who is a bona chapter do not apply to you for that year.
you were engaged in a trade or business in fide resident of American Samoa or Puerto
the United States during the year, and Rico for the entire tax year, you generally are
whether or not the wages (or any other in- taxed the same as resident aliens. You Topics
come) were connected with a trade or busi- should file Form 1040 and report all income This chapter discusses:
ness in the United States. from sources both in and outside the United
States. • Income subject to tax
Excess social security tax withheld. If you • Restrictions for dual-status taxpayers
have two or more employers, you may be Residents of Puerto Rico. If you are a bona
able to claim a credit against your U.S. in-
• Exemptions
fide resident of Puerto Rico for the entire year,
come tax liability for social security tax with- you can exclude from gross income all in- • How to figure the tax
held in excess of the maximum required. See come from sources in Puerto Rico (other than • Forms to file
Social Security and Medicare Taxes in chap- amounts for services performed as an em-
ter 8 for more information. ployee of the United States or any of its • When and where to file
agencies). • How to fill out a dual-status return
Regulated investment company credit. If If you report income on a calendar year
you are a shareholder in a regulated invest- basis and you do not have wages subject to
ment company or mutual fund, you can claim withholding, file your return and pay your tax Useful Items
a credit for your share of any taxes paid by by June 15. You must also make your first You may want to see:
the company on its undistributed capital payment of estimated tax by June 15. You
gains. You will receive information on Form cannot file a joint income tax return or make
2439, Notice to Shareholder of Undistributed joint payments of estimated tax. However, if Publication
Long-Term Capital Gains, which you must you are married to a U.S. citizen or resident,  503 Child and Dependent Care Ex-
attach to your return. see Nonresident Spouse Treated as a Resi- penses
dent in chapter 1.
Tax withheld at the source. You can claim If you earn wages subject to the same  514 Foreign Tax Credit for Individuals
as a payment any tax withheld at the source withholding rules as U.S. citizens, your U.S.
on investment and other fixed or determinable income tax return is due on April 15. Your first  524 Credit for the Elderly or the Disa-
annual or periodic income paid to you. Fixed payment of estimated tax is also due by April bled
or determinable income includes interest, 15. For information on withholding and esti-
dividend, rental, and royalty income that you mated tax, see chapter 8.  575 Pension and Annuity Income
do not claim to be effectively connected in- You cannot claim exemptions for depen-
come. Wage or salary payments can be fixed dents who are residents of Puerto Rico unless Form (and Instructions)
or determinable income to you, but usually the dependents are citizens of the United
are subject to withholding as discussed States.  1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
above. Taxes on fixed or determinable in-  1040–C U.S. Departing Alien Income
come are withheld at a 30% rate or at a lower Residents of American Samoa. If you are Tax Return
treaty rate. a bona fide resident of American Samoa for
the entire year, you can exclude from gross  1040ES Estimated Tax for Individuals
Tax withheld on partnership income. If you income all income from sources in American  1040–ES(NR) U.S. Estimated Tax for
are a foreign partner in a partnership, the Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the
Nonresident Alien Individuals
partnership will withhold tax on your share of Northern Mariana Islands (other than
effectively connected taxable income from the amounts for services performed as an em-  1040NR U.S. Nonresident Alien Income
partnership. The partnership will give you a ployee of the United States or any of its Tax Return
Chapter 6 Dual-Status Tax Year Page 25
 1116 Foreign Tax Credit 1) Standard deduction. You cannot use the
standard deduction allowed on Form 1040.
Income
See chapter 12 for information about get- However, you can itemize any allowable de- All income for your period of residence and
ting these publications and forms. ductions. all income that is effectively connected with
a trade or business in the United States for
your period of nonresidence, after allowable
2) Exemptions. Your total deduction for the deductions, is added and taxed at the rates
exemptions for your spouse and allowable that apply to U.S. citizens and residents. In-
Tax Year dependents cannot be more than your taxa- come that is not connected with a trade or
ble income (figured without deducting per- business in the United States for your period
You must file your tax return on the basis of sonal exemptions) for the period you are a of nonresidence is subject to the flat 30% rate
an annual accounting period called a tax year. resident alien. or lower treaty rate. You cannot take any de-
If you have not previously established a fiscal
ductions against this income.
tax year, your tax year is the calendar year.
A calendar year is 12 consecutive months 3) Head of household. You cannot use the
ending on December 31. If you have previ- head of household Tax Table column or Tax Social security and railroad retirement
ously established a regular fiscal year (12 Rate Schedule. benefits. During the part of the year you are
consecutive months ending on the last day a nonresident alien, 85% of any U.S. social
of a month other than December, or a 52–53 security benefits (and the equivalent portion
week year) and are considered to be a U.S. 4) Joint return. You cannot file a joint re- of tier 1 railroad retirement benefits) you re-
resident for any calendar year, you will be turn. However, see Choosing Resident Alien ceive is subject to the flat 30% tax, unless
treated as a U.S. resident for any part of your Status under Dual Status Aliens in chapter exempt, or subject to a lower treaty rate. (See
fiscal year that falls within that calendar year. 1. The 30% Tax in chapter 4.)
During the part of the year you are a res-
ident alien, part of the social security and the
5) Tax rates. If you are married and a non- equivalent portion of tier 1 railroad retirement
resident of the United States for all or part of benefits will be taxed at graduated rates if
the tax year and you do not choose to file
Income Subject to Tax jointly as discussed in chapter 1, you must
your modified adjusted gross income plus half
these benefits is more than a certain base
use the Tax Table column or Tax Rate amount.
Schedule for married filing separately to figure Use the Social Security Benefits Work-
For the part of the year you are a resident your tax on income effectively connected with sheet in the Form 1040 instructions to help
alien, you are taxed on income from all a U.S. trade or business. You cannot use the you figure the taxable part of your social se-
sources. Income from sources outside the Tax Table column or Tax Rate Schedules for curity and equivalent tier 1 railroad retirement
United States is taxable if you receive it while married filing jointly or single. However, if you benefits for the part of the year you were a
you are a resident alien. The income is taxa- are a married resident of Canada, Mexico, resident alien.
ble even if you earned it while you were a Japan, or South Korea, or are a married U.S. If you received U.S. social security bene-
nonresident alien or if you became a nonres- national, you may be able to file as single if fits while you were a nonresident alien, the
ident alien after receiving it and before the you lived apart from your spouse during the Social Security Administration will send you
end of the year. last 6 months of the year. See the instructions a copy of Form SSA–1042S showing your
For the part of the year you are a non- for Form 1040NR to see if you qualify. combined benefits for the entire year and the
resident alien, you are taxed on income from A U.S. national is an individual who, al- amount of tax withheld. You will not receive
U.S. sources and on certain foreign source though not a U.S. citizen, owes his or her al- separate statements for the benefits received
income treated as effectively connected with legiance to the United States. U.S. nationals during your periods of U.S. residence and
a U.S. trade or business. (The rules for include American Samoans and Northern nonresidence. Therefore, it is important for
treating foreign source income as effectively Mariana Islanders who chose to become U.S. you to keep careful records of these amounts.
connected are discussed in chapter 4 under nationals instead of U.S. citizens. You will need this information to properly
Foreign Income.) complete your return and determine your tax
Income from sources outside the United liability.
States that is not effectively connected with If you received railroad retirement benefits
a trade or business in the United States is not while you were a nonresident alien, the U.S.
taxable if you receive it while you are a non- Exemptions Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will send
resident alien. The income is not taxable even you Form RRB–1042S, Statement for Non-
if you earned it while you were a resident al- As a dual-status taxpayer, you usually will be
resident Alien Recipients of Payments by the
ien or if you became a resident alien or a U.S. able to claim your own personal exemption.
Railroad Retirement Board, and/or Form
citizen after receiving it and before the end Subject to the general rules for qualification,
RRB–1099–R, Annuities or Pensions by the
of the year. you can claim exemptions for your spouse
Railroad Retirement Board. If your country of
Income from U.S. sources is taxable and dependents when you figure taxable in-
legal residence changed or your rate of tax
whether you receive it while a nonresident come for the part of the year you are a resi-
changed during the tax year, you may receive
alien or a resident alien unless specifically dent alien. The amount you can claim for
more than one form.
exempt under the Internal Revenue Code or these exemptions is limited to your taxable
a tax treaty provision. Generally, tax treaty income (figured before subtracting ex-
provisions apply only to the part of the year emptions) for the part of the year you are a Tax Credits and Payments
you were a nonresident. resident alien. You cannot use exemptions
(other than your own) to reduce taxable in- This discussion covers tax credits and pay-
When determining what income is taxed ments for dual status aliens.
in the United States, you must consider ex- come to less than zero for that period.
emptions under U.S. tax law as well as the Special rules apply to exemptions for the
reduced tax rates and exemptions provided part of the tax year you are a nonresident al- Credits
by tax treaties between the United States and ien if you are a resident of Canada, Mexico,
Japan, or Korea, are a U.S. national, or are As a dual-status alien, you generally can
certain foreign countries. For a further dis- claim tax credits using the same rules that
cussion of tax treaties, see chapter 9. a student or business apprentice from India.
For more information, see Exemptions in apply to resident aliens. There are certain
chapter 5. restrictions that may apply. These restrictions
are discussed here, along with a brief expla-
nation of credits often claimed by individuals.

Restrictions for Child care credit. You may qualify for this
Dual-Status Taxpayers How To Figure Tax credit if you pay someone to care for your
dependent who is under age 13, or your dis-
When you figure your U.S. tax for a dual- abled dependent or disabled spouse so that
status year, you are subject to different rules you can work or look for work. Generally, you
The following restrictions apply if you are filing for the part of the year you are a resident and must be able to claim an exemption for your
a tax return for a dual-status tax year. the part of the year you are a nonresident. dependent.
Page 26 Chapter 6 Dual-Status Tax Year
Married dual-status aliens can claim the 1) Tax withheld from wages earned in the 15th day of the 6th month following the close
credit only if they choose to file a joint return United States, of your tax year. In any case, file your return
as discussed in chapter 1, or if they qualify with the Internal Revenue Service Center,
as certain married individuals living apart. 2) Taxes withheld at the source from vari- Philadelphia, PA 19255.
The amount of your child and dependent ous items of income from U.S. sources
care expense that qualifies for the credit in other than wages, If the regular due date for filing falls
any tax year cannot be more than your 3) Tax paid with Form 1040–ES or Form TIP on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holi-
earned income for that tax year. 1040–ES(NR), and day, the due date is the next day that
For more information, get Publication 503 is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
and Form 2441. 4) Tax paid with Form 1040–C, at the time
of departure from the United States.
Credit for the elderly or the disabled. You
must be a U.S. citizen or resident to claim this
credit. You cannot claim the credit if you were
a nonresident alien at any time during your
Illustration of
tax year. However, the credit can be taken Forms To File Dual-Status Return
by a dual-status alien who is married to a U.S. The U.S. income tax return you must file as
citizen or resident and chooses to be treated a dual-status alien depends on whether you Sam R. Brown is single and a subject of the
as a U.S. resident for the entire year. For are a resident alien or a nonresident alien at United Kingdom (U.K.). He temporarily en-
further information about this credit, get Pub- the end of the tax year. tered the United States with an H–1 visa to
lication 524. develop a new product line for the Major
Resident at end of year. You must file Form Product Co. He arrived in the United States
Child tax credit. You may be able to take 1040 if you are a dual-status taxpayer who March 18, 1999, and left May 25, 1999, re-
this credit if you have a qualifying child. For becomes a resident during the year and who turning to his home in England.
this credit, a qualifying child: is a U.S. resident on the last day of the tax The Major Product Co. later offered Sam
year. Write “Dual-Status Return” across the a permanent job, and he returned to the
• Is a U.S. citizen, national, or resident al- top of the return. Attach a statement to your United States with a permanent visa on Sep-
ien, return to show the income for the part of the tember 10, 1999.
year you are a nonresident. You can use During Sam's temporary assignment in the
• Is claimed as a dependent on your tax Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR–EZ as the United States, the Major Product Co. paid him
return, statement, but be sure to mark “Dual-Status $6,500. He accounted to his employer for his
• Is your son, daughter, adopted child, Statement” across the top. expenses for travel, meals, and lodging while
grandchild, stepchild, or foster child, and on temporary assignment, and was reim-
bursed for his expenses. This amount was
• Was under age 17 at the end of the year. Nonresident at end of year. You must file
not included on his wage statement, Form
Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR–EZ if you are
W–2, given to him when he left the United
Use the Child Tax Credit Worksheet in the a dual-status taxpayer who gives up resi-
States.
Form 1040 instructions to figure the amount dence in the United States during the year
After Sam became permanently em-
of your credit. and who is not a U.S. resident on the last day
ployed, his wages for the rest of the year were
of the tax year. Write “Dual-Status Return”
$21,800, including reimbursement of his
across the top of the return. Attach a state-
Education credits. If you are a nonresident moving expenses. He received a separate
ment to your return to show the income for the
alien for any part of the year, you generally Form W–2 for this period. His other income
part of the year you are a resident. You can
cannot claim the education credits. However, received in 1999 was:
use Form 1040 as the statement, but be sure
if you are married and choose to file a joint Interest income paid by the U.S. Bank (not
to mark “Dual-Status Statement” across the
return with a U.S. citizen or resident spouse effectively connected):
top.
as discussed in chapter 1, you may be eligible
for these credits. March 31 ........................................................... $45
Statement. Any statement must have your June 30 ............................................................. $48
name, address, and taxpayer identification September 30 ................................................... $68
Foreign tax credit. If you have paid or are number on it. You do not need to sign a December 31 .................................................... $89
liable for the payment of income tax to a for- separate statement or schedule accompany-
eign country on income from foreign sources, Dividend income paid by Major Product
ing your return, since your signature on the Co. (not effectively connected):
you may be able to claim a credit for the for- return also applies to the supporting state-
eign taxes. ments and schedules. April 3 .............................................................. $120
If you claim the foreign tax credit, you July 3 .............................................................. $120
generally must file Form 1116 with your in- October 2 ........................................................ $120
come tax return. If you need more informa-
Interest income (in U.S. dollars) paid by
tion, see the instructions for Form 1116 or get
Publication 514. When and the U.K. Bank:

Adoption credit. You may qualify to take a


Where To File March 31 .........................................................
June 30 ...........................................................
$90
$110
tax credit of up to $5,000 for qualifying ex- If you are a resident alien on the last day of September 30 ................................................. $118
penses paid to adopt an eligible child. The your tax year and report your income on a December 31 .................................................. $120
credit can be as much as $6,000 if the ex- calendar year basis, you must file no later Sam paid the following expenses while he
penses are for the adoption of a child with than April 15 of the year following the close was in the United States:
special needs. To claim the adoption credit, of your tax year. If you report your income on
file Form 8839 with the U.S. income tax return other than a calendar year basis, file your Moving expenses incurred and paid in Sep-
that you file. For more information, get Publi- return no later than the 15th day of the 4th tember .......................................................... $8,300
month following the close of your tax year. In VA State income tax .................................... $612
cation 968. Contributions to U.S. charities ..................... $310
Married dual-status aliens can claim the either case, file your return with the Internal
credit only if they choose to file a joint return Revenue Service Center, Philadelphia, PA Before Sam left the United States in May,
with a U.S. citizen or resident spouse as dis- 19255. he filed Form 1040–C (see chapter 11). He
cussed in chapter 1, or if they qualify as cer- If you are a nonresident alien on the last owed no tax when he left the United States.
tain married individuals living apart. day of your tax year and report your income Sam fills in Form 1040 and the statement,
on a calendar year basis, you must file by the Form 1040NR, as follows.
15th day of the 4th month following the close Sam prints his name, social security
Payments of your tax year if you receive wages subject number, and address on page 1 of Form
You can report as payments against your to the same withholding rules as U.S. citizens. 1040. He checks “Yes” for the Presidential
U.S. income tax liability certain taxes you Otherwise, you must file no later than June Election Campaign Fund and “Single” under
paid, are considered to have paid, or that 15 following the close of your tax year. If you filing status. He also checks the exemption
were withheld from your income. These in- report your income on other than a calendar block for himself and prints “Dual-Status Re-
clude: year basis, file your return no later than the turn” across the top of the form.
Chapter 6 Dual-Status Tax Year Page 27
Sam prints his name, address, and social Sam also reports $36, the amount of tax the amount on line 38 from the amount on line
security number on page 1 of Form 1040NR. withheld at source by the Major Product Co. 37 to figure his taxable income, line 39.
He prints “Dual-Status Statement” across the on line 69a, Form 1040NR, and carries it for- Sam is now ready to figure the tax on his
top of the form. ward to line 61a. Later he will report the income taxed at the graduated rates. He uses
Sam reports on Form 1040 all income re- amount on Form 1040. the column in the Tax Table for single indi-
ceived during the period he was a resident Sam is not required to report the interest viduals. To this tax ($2,524), he must add the
of the United States and the income received credited to his account by the U.S. Bank tax on the income not effectively connected
during the period he was a nonresident alien during the period he was a nonresident alien. ($36), the income taxed at the 30% or lower
that was effectively connected with his U.S. Interest on deposits with U.S. banks that is treaty rate. Since there is no line on Form
trade or business. This income is taxed at the not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or 1040 for this computation, he reports the two
graduated rates. For information purposes, business generally is treated as income from amounts in the margin in the Tax and Credits
he also reports on Form 1040NR his salary sources in the United States but is not taxable area of Form 1040.
while he was a nonresident. to a nonresident alien. He checks the “Yes” Sam reports the total amount of tax with-
Sam reports on Form 1040 the interest box on page 5, item L, of Form 1040NR, and held ($2,700) from his wages on line 57, Form
income credited to his account by the U.S. explains why this income is not included on 1040. He includes in this amount the tax
Bank and the U.K. Bank in September and his return. withheld at source ($36 from line 61a, Form
December, while he was a U.S. resident. If The interest income received from the 1040NR) on dividends paid to him while he
any of the interest income received while he U.K. Bank while Sam was a nonresident alien was a nonresident alien. He also writes a
was a nonresident alien was effectively con- is foreign source income and not taxable on brief explanation.
nected with his U.S. trade or business, he his U.S. return. For information purposes, Sam also re-
would also report these amounts on Form Sam completes all applicable items on ports on line 54, Form 1040NR, the amount
1040. If he had paid foreign income tax on the page 5 of Form 1040NR. This provides the of tax withheld ($536) from wages earned
interest income received from the U.K. Bank, dates of arrival and departure, types of visas, while he was a nonresident alien.
he would claim a foreign tax credit. and information concerning tax treaty benefits Sam compares the total tax on line 56,
The dividend income includes only the that he has claimed. Form 1040, to the total payments on line 64,
October dividend, which was received while Sam completes Form 3903 (not illus- to see if he has overpaid his tax or if he owes
Sam was a U.S. resident. The dividend in- trated) to figure his moving expense de- an additional amount. Since the amount of tax
come received during his period of nonresi- duction and reports the total on line 26, Form withheld and the amount of tax paid at source
dence was not effectively connected with his 1040. are more than his total tax, he has overpaid
U.S. trade or business and, therefore, not Sam cannot claim the standard deduction his tax. He subtracts the amount on line 56
taxed at the graduated rates. because he has a dual-status tax year. He from the amount on line 64 to figure his re-
Sam reports on the attached statement, reports his itemized deductions on Schedule fund.
Form 1040NR, the not effectively connected A (Form 1040). The only itemized deduction Sam checks to be sure that he has com-
U.S. income received while he was a non- he had while he was a nonresident alien was pleted all parts of Form 1040 that apply to
resident alien. He reports the April and July the state income tax withheld from his pay. him. He also checks to see if he has com-
dividends from the Major Product Co. on line For information purposes, he lists this amount pleted the necessary parts of the Form
69a, page 4. He figures the tax on his divi- on line 1, Schedule A, Form 1040NR, in ad- 1040NR that he is attaching as a statement.
dend income and carries it forward to line 48 dition to including it on Schedule A, Form He then signs and dates the return and enters
on Form 1040NR. (The rate of tax on this in- 1040. his occupation.
come is limited to 15% by Article 10 of the Sam totals his itemized deductions on line
U.S.–U.K. income tax treaty. Treaty rates vary 28, Schedule A (Form 1040). He reports the Sam mails the return to the:
from country to country, so be sure to check amount from line 28 of Schedule A (Form
the provisions in the treaty you are claiming.) 1040) on line 36, Form 1040.
Sam enters $2,750 for one personal ex- Internal Revenue Service Center
emption on line 38, Form 1040. He subtracts Philadelphia, PA 19255.

Page 28 Chapter 6 Dual-Status Tax Year


Dual Status RETURN

Page 29
Form 1040 (1999) Page 2
1040
Department of the Treasury—Internal Revenue Service

1999
Form

U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (99) IRS Use Only—Do not write or staple in this space. 34 Amount from line 33 (adjusted gross income) 34 20,515
For the year Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 1999, or other tax year beginning , 1999, ending , OMB No. 1545-0074
Tax and
35a Check if: You were 65 or older, Blind; Spouse was 65 or older, Blind.
Label Your first name and initial Last name Your social security number Credits Add the number of boxes checked above and enter the total here  35a
(See L Sam R. Brown 000 00 0000 b If you are married filing separately and your spouse itemizes deductions or
A
instructions If a joint return, spouse’s first name and initial Last name Spouse’s social security number you were a dual-status alien, see page 30 and check here  35b

Chapter 6 Dual-Status Tax Year


B
on page 18.) E
Standard
Deduction 36 Enter your itemized deductions from Schedule A, line 28, OR standard deduction
L
Use the IRS for Most shown on the left. But see page 30 to find your standard deduction if you checked any
label. H
Home address (number and street). If you have a P.O. box, see page 18. Apt. no.
 IMPORTANT!  People box on line 35a or 35b or if someone can claim you as a dependent 36 922
Otherwise, E 2617 Pewter Place You must enter 37 Subtract line 36 from line 34 37 19,593
R Single:
please print City, town or post office, state, and ZIP code. If you have a foreign address, see page 18. your SSN(s) above.
E $4,300
or type. 38 If line 34 is $94,975 or less, multiply $2,750 by the total number of exemptions claimed on
Anytown, VA 22000 Yes No Note. Checking Head of 38 2,750
Presidential household: line 6d. If line 34 is over $94,975, see the worksheet on page 31 for the amount to enter


“Yes” will not
Election Campaign Do you want $3 to go to this fund? X change your tax or $6,350 39 Taxable income. Subtract line 38 from line 37. If line 38 is more than line 37, enter -0- 39 16,843
(See page 18.) If a joint return, does your spouse want $3 to go to this fund? reduce your refund. Married filing  40 2,560
40 Tax (see page 31). Check if any tax is from a Form(s) 8814 b Form 4972
jointly or
1 X Single Qualifying 41 Credit for child and dependent care expenses. Attach Form 2441 41
Filing Status 2 Married filing joint return (even if only one had income) widow(er): 42 Credit for the elderly or the disabled. Attach Schedule R 42
$7,200
3 Married filing separate return. Enter spouse’s social security no. above and full name here.  43 Child tax credit (see page 33) 43
Married
4 Head of household (with qualifying person). (See page 18.) If the qualifying person is a child but not your dependent, filing 44 Education credits. Attach Form 8863 44
Check only
enter this child’s name here.  separately: 45
one box. $3,600 45 Adoption credit. Attach Form 8839
5 Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child (year spouse died  19 ). (See page 18.) 46 Foreign tax credit. Attach Form 1116 if required 46


6a X Yourself. If your parent (or someone else) can claim you as a dependent on his or her tax No. of boxes
Line 40
47 Other. Check if from a Form 3800 b Form 8396
Exemptions return, do not check box 6a checked on Tax from
6a and 6b
1 Table-- $2,524; c Form 8801 d Form (specify) 47
b Spouse No. of your Tax from Form48 Add lines 41 through 47. These are your total credits 48
c Dependents: (3) Dependent’s (4) if qualifying 
(2) Dependent’s
relationship to child for child tax
children on 6c 1040NR $36 49 Subtract line 48 from line 40. If line 48 is more than line 40, enter -0- 49 2,560
social security number who:
(1) First name Last name you credit (see page 19) 50 Self-employment tax. Attach Schedule SE 50
● lived with you Other
● did not live with 51 Alternative minimum tax. Attach Form 6251 51
If more than six you due to divorce Taxes 52
dependents, 52 Social security and Medicare tax on tip income not reported to employer. Attach Form 4137
or separation
see page 19. (see page 19) 53 Tax on IRAs, other retirement plans, and MSAs. Attach Form 5329 if required 53
Dependents on 6c 54 Advance earned income credit payments from Form(s) W-2 54
not entered above
55 Household employment taxes. Attach Schedule H 55
Add numbers 
entered on
56 Add lines 49 through 55. This is your total tax 56 2,560
1
d Total number of exemptions claimed lines above  Payments 57 Federal income tax withheld from Forms W-2 and 1099 57 2,736
7 Wages, salaries, tips, etc. Attach Form(s) W-2 7 28,300 58 1999 estimated tax payments and amount applied from 1998 return 58
Income 8a Taxable interest. Attach Schedule B if required 8a 395 59a Earned income credit. Attach Sch. EIC if you have a qualifying child Line 57
Attach b Tax-exempt interest. DO NOT include on line 8a 8b b Nontaxable earned income: amount 

Copy B of your 9 Ordinary dividends. Attach Schedule B if required 9 120 and type  59a Includes
Forms W-2 and 10 60 $36 from
10 Taxable refunds, credits, or offsets of state and local income taxes (see page 21) 60 Additional child tax credit. Attach Form 8812
W-2G here. Form 1040NR
Also attach 11 Alimony received 11 61 Amount paid with request for extension to file (see page 48) 61
Form(s) 1099-R 12 Business income or (loss). Attach Schedule C or C-EZ 12 62 Excess social security and RRTA tax withheld (see page 48) 62
if tax was
13 Capital gain or (loss). Attach Schedule D if required. If not required, check here  13 63 Other payments. Check if from a Form 2439 b Form 4136 63
withheld. 
14 Other gains or (losses). Attach Form 4797 14 64 Add lines 57, 58, 59a, and 60 through 63. These are your total payments 64 2,736
If you did not 15a Total IRA distributions 15a b Taxable amount (see page 22) 15b
Refund 65 If line 64 is more than line 56, subtract line 56 from line 64. This is the amount you OVERPAID 65 176
get a W-2, 16a Total pensions and annuities 16a b Taxable amount (see page 22) 16b 66a Amount of line 65 you want REFUNDED TO YOU  66a 176
see page 20. Have it
17 Rental real estate, royalties, partnerships, S corporations, trusts, etc. Attach Schedule E 17
directly
18 deposited!  b Routing number  c Type: Checking Savings
Enclose, but do 18 Farm income or (loss). Attach Schedule F
not staple, any 19 See page 48
19 Unemployment compensation  d Account number
and fill in 66b,
payment. Also, 20a 20b 66c, and 66d. 67 Amount of line 65 you want APPLIED TO YOUR 2000 ESTIMATED TAX  67
please use 20a Social security benefits b Taxable amount (see page 24)
21 Other income. List type and amount (see page 24) 21
Form 1040-V. Amount 68 If line 56 is more than line 64, subtract line 64 from line 56. This is the AMOUNT YOU OWE.
22 Add the amounts in the far right column for lines 7 through 21. This is your total income  22 28,815 For details on how to pay, see page 49  68
You Owe 69 Estimated tax penalty. Also include on line 68
23 IRA deduction (see page 26) 23 69
Adjusted 24 Student loan interest deduction (see page 26) 24 Sign Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, they are true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than taxpayer) is based on all information of which preparer has any knowledge.
Gross 25 Medical savings account deduction. Attach Form 8853 25 Here


Your signature Date Your occupation Daytime telephone
Income 26 Moving expenses. Attach Form 3903 26 8,300 Joint return? number (optional)
27 One-half of self-employment tax. Attach Schedule SE 27 See page 18. Sam R. Brown 3-16-2000 R&D Specialist ( )
Keep a copy Spouse’s signature. If a joint return, BOTH must sign. Date Spouse’s occupation
28 Self-employed health insurance deduction (see page 28) 28 for your
29 Keogh and self-employed SEP and SIMPLE plans 29 records.
30 Penalty on early withdrawal of savings
31a Alimony paid b Recipient’s SSN 
30
31a
Paid Preparer’s
signature  Date
Check if
self-employed
Preparer’s SSN or PTIN

Preparer’s
32 Add lines 23 through 31a
33 Subtract line 32 from line 22. This is your adjusted gross income 
32
33
8,300
20,515 Use Only
Firm’s name (or yours
if self-employed) and
address
 EIN
ZIP code
For Disclosure, Privacy Act, and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see page 54. Cat. No. 11320B Form 1040 (1999) Form 1040 (1999)
Dual Status STATEMENT

1040NR
SCHEDULES A&B OMB No. 1545-0074 OMB No. 1545-0089
Schedule A—Itemized Deductions U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return
Form
(Form 1040)
Department of the Treasury
(Schedule B is on back) 1999
Attachment
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service beginning
For the year January 1–December 31, 1999, or other tax year
, 1999, and ending , 1999
Internal Revenue Service (99)  Attach to Form 1040.  See Instructions for Schedules A and B (Form 1040). Sequence No. 07 Your first name and initial Last name Identifying number (see page 5 of inst.)
Name(s) shown on Form 1040 Your social security number Sam R. Brown 000-00-0000

Please print or type.


Sam R. Brown 000 00 0000 Present home address (number, street, and apt. no., or rural route). If a P.O. box, see page 5 of instructions. Check if: X Individual
2617 Pewter Place Estate or Trust
Medical Caution. Do not include expenses reimbursed or paid by others.
and 1 Medical and dental expenses (see page A-1) 1 City, town or post office, state, and ZIP code. If a foreign address, see page 5 of instructions. For Paperwork Reduction Act
2 Anytown, VA 22000 Notice, see page 17 of instructions.
Dental 2 Enter amount from Form 1040, line 34
Expenses 3 Multiply line 2 above by 7.5% (.075) 3 Country  USA
4 Subtract line 3 from line 1. If line 3 is more than line 1, enter -0- 4 Of what country were you a citizen or national during the tax year?  United Kingdom
5 612 Give address outside the United States to which you want any Give address in the country where you are a permanent resident.
Taxes You 5 State and local income taxes refund check mailed. If same as above, write “Same.” If same as above, write “Same.”
Paid 6 Real estate taxes (see page A-2) 6
7 Personal property taxes 7 N/A Same
(See
page A-2.) 8 Other taxes. List type and amount  Filing Status and Exemptions for Individuals (See pages 5 and 6 of instructions.) 7a 7b
8 Filing status. Check only one box. Yourself Spouse

Attach Copy B of your Forms W-2 and W-2G here.


9 Add lines 5 through 8 9 612 1 Single resident of Canada or Mexico, or a single U.S. national

Also attach Form(s) 1099-R if tax was withheld.


Interest 10 Home mortgage interest and points reported to you on Form 1098 10 2 Other single nonresident alien
You Paid
(See
11 Home mortgage interest not reported to you on Form 1098. If paid
to the person from whom you bought the home, see page A-3
3
4
Married resident of Canada or Mexico, or a married U.S. national
Married resident of Japan or the Republic of (South) Korea 其 If you check box 7b, enter your spouse’s
identifying number 

page A-3.) and show that person’s name, identifying no., and address  5 Other married nonresident alien
6

o f 99
Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child (year spouse died
Caution: Do not check box 7a if your parent (or someone else) can claim you as a dependent.
 19 ). (See page 5 of inst.)
No. of boxes

s 19
checked on
Note. 11 Do not check box 7b if your spouse had any U.S. gross income. 7a and 7b 
Personal
interest is
not
12 Points not reported to you on Form 1098. See page A-3
for special rules 12
7c Dependents:*
(1) First name
a
f 2, e)
Last name
(2) Dependent’s
identifying number
(3) Dependent’s
relationship
to you
(4) if qualifying
child for child tax
credit (see page 6)
No. of your
children on 7c
who:

o
.. ..
deductible. 13 Investment interest. Attach Form 4952 if required. (See . . *lived with you 

Pro ber 1 chan


.. ..
page A-3.) 13

Gifts to
14
15
Add lines 10 through 13
Gifts by cash or check. If you made any gift of $250 or
14 g .
..
.
..
.
.
..
.
..
.
**did not live
with you due
to divorce or
separation 
310 .. .. **Dependents
Charity more, see page A-4 15 . . on 7c not
entered above 

to
*Applies generally only to residents of Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the Republic of (South) Korea and to U.S. nationals. (See page 6 of inst.)
If you made a
gift and got a
benefit for it,
16 Other than by cash or check. If any gift of $250 or more,
see page A-4. You MUST attach Form 8283 if over $500 16
m
**Applies generally only to residents of Canada and Mexico and to U.S. nationals. (See page 6 of instructions.)

e jec t
Add numbers
entered on

v
17 Carryover from prior year 17 d Total number of exemptions claimed lines above 
see page A-4.

o b
18 Add lines 15 through 17 18 310 8 Wages, salaries, tips, etc. Attach Form(s) W-2 8 6,500

Income Effectively Connected With U.S. Trade/Business


Casualty and

N
9a Taxable interest 9a

(su
Theft Losses 19 Casualty or theft loss(es). Attach Form 4684. (See page A-5.) 19 b Tax-exempt interest. DO NOT include on line 9a 9b
10

Enclose, but do not staple, any payment with your return.


Job Expenses 20 Unreimbursed employee expenses—job travel, union 10 Ordinary dividends
and Most dues, job education, etc. You MUST attach Form 2106 11 Taxable refunds, credits, or offsets of state and local income taxes (see page 7) 11
Other or 2106-EZ if required. (See page A-5.)  12 Scholarship and fellowship grants. Attach explanation (see page 7) 12
Miscellaneous 13 Business income or (loss). Attach Schedule C or C-EZ (Form 1040) 13
Deductions 20 14 Capital gain or (loss). Attach Schedule D (Form 1040), if required. If not required, check here 14
21 15

Chapter 6 Dual-Status Tax Year


21 Tax preparation fees 15 Other gains or (losses). Attach Form 4797
(See 22 Other expenses—investment, safe deposit box, etc. List 16a Total IRA distributions 16a 16b Taxable amount (see page 7) 16b
page A-5 for type and amount  17a Total pensions and annuities 17a 17b Taxable amount (see page 7) 17b
expenses to 22 18
deduct here.) 18 Rental real estate, royalties, partnerships, trusts, etc. Attach Schedule E (Form 1040)
23 Add lines 20 through 22 23 19 Farm income or (loss). Attach Schedule F (Form 1040) 19
24 Enter amount from Form 1040, line 34 24 20 Unemployment compensation 20
25 Multiply line 24 above by 2% (.02) 25 21 Other income. List type and amount—see page 9 21
26 Subtract line 25 from line 23. If line 25 is more than line 23, enter -0- 26 22 Total income exempt by a treaty from page 5, Item M 22
Other 27 Other—from list on page A-6. List type and amount  23 Add lines 8, 9a, 10–15, 16b, and 17b–21. This is your total effectively connected income  23 6,500
Miscellaneous 24 IRA deduction (see page 9) 24
Deductions 27 25 Student loan interest deduction (see page 9) 25
Total 28 Is Form 1040, line 34, over $126,600 (over $63,300 if married filing separately)? 26 Medical savings account deduction. Attach Form 8853 26
Adjustments


Itemized No. Your deduction is not limited. Add the amounts in the far right column 27 Moving expenses. Attach Form 3903 27
Deductions for lines 4 through 27. Also, enter this amount on Form 1040, line 36.  28 922 28 Self-employed health insurance deduction (see page 10) 28
Yes. Your deduction may be limited. See page A-6 for the amount to enter. 29 Keogh and self-employed SEP and SIMPLE plans 29
30 Penalty on early withdrawal of savings 30
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see Form 1040 instructions. Cat. No. 11330X Schedule A (Form 1040) 1999 31 Scholarship and fellowship grants excluded 31
32 Add lines 24 through 31. These are your total adjustments 32 -0-

Page 30
33 Subtract line 32 from line 23. Enter here and on line 34. This is your adjusted gross income  33
Cat. No. 11364D Form 1040NR (1999)
Form 1040NR (1999) Page 2 Form 1040NR (1999) Page 3

Page 31
Tax Computation 34 Amount from line 33 (adjusted gross income) 34
Schedule A—Itemized Deductions (See pages 13, 14, and 15.) 07
35 Itemized deductions from page 3, Schedule A, line 17 35 195
36 Subtract line 35 from line 34. If line 35 is more than line 34, enter -0- 36
37 Exemptions (see page 10) 37 State and 1 State income taxes 1 195
38 Taxable income. Subtract line 37 from line 36. If line 37 is more than line 36, enter -0- 38 Local
39 Tax. See page 10. Check if any tax from a Form(s) 8814 b Form 4972  39 Income 2

Chapter 6 Dual-Status Tax Year


2 Local income taxes
40 Credit for child and dependent care expenses. Attach Form 2441 40 Taxes
41 Child tax credit (see page 10) 41 3 Add lines 1 and 2 3 195
42 Adoption credit. Attach Form 8839 42
Credits

Gifts to Caution: If you made a gift and received a benefit in return,


43 Foreign tax credit. Attach Form 1116 if required 43 U.S. see page 14.
44 Other. Check if from a Form 3800 b Form 8396 Charities 4 Gifts by cash or check. If you made any gift of $250 or
c Form 8801 d Form (specify) 44 more, see page 14 4
45 Add lines 40 through 44 45 5 Other than by cash or check. If you made any gift of $250
46 Subtract line 45 from line 39. If line 45 is more than line 39, enter -0-  46 or more, see page 14. You MUST attach Form 8283 if
47 Alternative minimum tax (see page 11). Attach Form 6251 47 over $500 5
Other Taxes

48 Tax on income not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business from page 4, line 82 48 36
49
50 f 99
Social security and Medicare tax on tip income not reported to employer. Attach Form 4137

o
Tax on IRAs, other retirement plans, and MSAs. Attach Form 5329 if required
49
50
6 Carryover from prior year

of 99 6

51
52
Transportation tax (see page 12)

a s 19
Household employment taxes. Attach Schedule H (Form 1040)
51
52 Casualty and
7 Add lines 4 through 6

a s 19 7

53
54
o f 2, e)
Add lines 46 through 52. This is your total tax
Federal income tax withheld from Forms W-2, 1099, 1042-S, etc. 54 536
 53 Theft Losses
Job
8

o f 2, e)
Casualty or theft loss(es). Attach Form 4684
9 Unreimbursed employee expenses—job travel, union
8

55
56
57
o 1
Additional child tax credit. Attach Form 8812

P be ch a
Amount paid with Form 4868 (request for extension)
g
1999 estimated tax payments and amount applied from 1998 return

r r n
55
56
57
58
Expenses
and Most
Other
Miscellaneous
r o
P be ch 1 a n
or Form 2106-EZ if required. See page 14 g
dues, job education, etc. You MUST attach Form 2106

r 9
58 Excess social security and RRTA tax withheld (see page 12)
Deductions 10 Tax preparation fees
to to
59 10

m m
59 Other payments. Check if from a Form 2439 b Form 4136
Payments

60
60

e
Credit for amount paid with Form 1040-C
t 11

e
Other expenses. See page 15 for expenses to deduct
t
ov bjec ov bjec
61 U.S. tax withheld at source: here. List type and amount 
a From page 4, line 79 61a 36

N N
b By partnerships under section 1446 (from Form(s) 8805 or 1042-S) 61b

(su (su
62 U.S. tax withheld on dispositions of U.S. real property interests:
a From Form(s) 8288-A 62a 11
b From Form(s) 1042-S 62b
12 Add lines 9 through 11 12
63 Add lines 54 through 62b. These are your total payments  63 572 13 Enter the amount from Form
64 If line 63 is more than line 53, subtract line 53 from line 63. This is the amount you 1040NR, line 34 13
OVERPAID 64
65a Amount of line 64 you want REFUNDED TO YOU. If you want it directly deposited, see 14 Multiply line 13 by 2% (.02) 14
Refund

page 13 and fill in 65b, c, and d  65a


15 Subtract line 14 from line 12. If line 14 is more than line 12, enter -0- 15
b Routing number c Type: Checking Savings
Other 16 Other—certain expenses of disabled employees, estate tax on income of decedent,
d Account number Miscellaneous etc. List type and amount 
66 Amount of line 64 you want APPLIED TO YOUR 2000 Deductions
ESTIMATED TAX  66
You Owe
Amount

67 If line 53 is more than line 63, subtract line 63 from line 53. This is the AMOUNT YOU
OWE. For details on how to pay, including what to write on your payment, see page 13  67

68 Estimated tax penalty (see page 13). Also include on line 67 68


Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return and accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and 16
Sign belief, they are true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than taxpayer) is based on all information of which preparer has any knowledge.
Here Your signature Date Your occupation in the United States
Total 17 Is Form 1040NR, line 34, over $126,600 (over $63,300 if you checked filing status



Keep a copy Itemized box 3, 4, or 5 on page 1 of Form 1040NR)?
of this
return for Deductions No. Your deduction is not limited. Add the amounts in the far right column
your records. for lines 3 through 16. Enter the total here and on Form 1040NR, line 35.  17 195


Date Preparer’s SSN or PTIN
Paid Preparer’s
Check if Yes. Your deduction may be limited. See page 15 for the amount to enter
signature
Pre- self-employed here and on Form 1040NR, line 35.
parer’s
Use Only
Firm’s name (or
yours if self-employed)
and address
 EIN
ZIP code
4
Form 1040NR (1999) Page 5

than (e), subtract (e)


%
Page

If (d) is more
Other Information (If an item does not apply to you, enter “N/A.”)

(g) GAIN

from (d)
(e) Other (specify)

36
A What country issued your passport? United Kingdom
M If you are claiming the benefits of a U.S. income tax treaty
with a foreign country, give the following information. See

)
than (d), subtract (d)
B Were you ever a U.S. citizen? Yes X No page 16 for additional information.

82

85
%
Enter amount of income under the appropriate rate of tax (see page 15)
● Country  United Kingdom

If (e) is more
(f) LOSS

from (e)
C Give the purpose of your visit to the United States 

Tax on income not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. Add columns (b)–(e) of line 81. Enter the total here and on Form



● Type and amount of effectively connected income exempt

Capital gain. Combine columns (f) and (g) of line 84. Enter the net gain here and on line 77 above (if a loss, enter -0-)
from tax. Also, identify the applicable tax treaty article. Do
Temporary assignment
not enter exempt income on lines 8–15, 16b, and 17b–21

Capital Gains and Losses From Sales or Exchanges of Property


of Form 1040NR:

84 (
D Type of entry visa and visa number  H-1 For 1999 (also, include this exempt income on

(e) Cost or other


and type of current visa and date line 22 of Form 1040NR) 

(d) 30%
of change  Permanent

basis
Tax on Income Not Effectively Connected With a U.S. Trade or Business

f 99
E Date you first entered the United States  3-18-99
For 1998 

f 2, ge)
Attach Forms 1042-S, SSA-1042S, RRB-1042S, 1001 or similar form.
F Did you give up your permanent

f 99

(d) Sales price


s 19
residence as an immigrant in the United

(c) 15%
States this year? Yes No ● Type and amount of income not effectively connected that

s 19

Pro ber 1 chan


is exempt from or subject to a reduced rate of tax. Also,

240

240

36
G Dates you entered and left the United States during the

a
year. Residents of Canada or Mexico entering and leaving

f 2, e)
the United States at frequent intervals, give name of country
identify the applicable tax treaty article:
For 1999 
only.  Entered -- March 18, 1999
o Additional income of $240 taxed at 15% under Article 10

o
o 1

(mo., day, yr.)


Departed -- May 25, 1999 Entered -- Sept. 10, 1999

r g

(b) 10%

(c) Date
r n  N/A

sold
H Give number of days (including vacation and nonwork For 1998

to
1997 , 1998 P be c h
, and 1999
a
days) you were present in the United States during:
0 0 182 .

a
to

t
m
I If you are a resident of Canada, Mexico, ● Were you subject to tax in that country

v ubjec
e je c

80

81
on any of the income you claim is entitled
Japan, or the Republic of (South) Korea,
t

(mo., day, yr.)


(a) U.S. tax
v to the treaty benefits? X Yes No

at source
withheld
or a U.S. national, did your spouse

acquired
(b) Date
o b

o
contribute to the support of any child ● Did you have a permanent establishment

N
claimed on Form 1040NR, line 7c? Yes No

(su
or fixed base (as defined by the tax treaty)

36

m 36
If “Yes,” enter amount  $ N/A in the United States at any time during
X No

N (s
If you were a resident of Japan or the Republic of (South) 1999? Yes

Add columns (f) and (g) of line 83


69b

70b
69a

70a

70c

e
71
72
73
74
75
76
77

78

79
Korea for any part of the tax year, enter in the space below N If you file this return to report community income, give your
your total foreign source income not effectively connected spouse’s name, address, and identifying number.

descriptive details not shown below)


(a) Kind of property and description
with a U.S. trade or business. This information is needed

Multiply line 80 by rate of tax at top of each column

(if necessary, attach statement of



Other royalties (copyrights, recording, publishing, etc.)

Total U.S. tax withheld at source. Add column (a) of


lines 69a through 78. Enter the total here and on Form
Real property income and natural resources royalties
so that the exemption for your spouse and dependents N/A

o
residing in the United States (if applicable) may be allowed
in accordance with Article 4 of the income tax treaties O If you file this return for a trust, does the

Gains (include capital gain from line 85 below)


between the United States and Japan or the United States trust have a U.S. business? Yes No

Industrial royalties (patents, trademarks, etc.)

Chapter 6 Dual-Status Tax Year


Add lines 69a through 78 in columns (b)–(e)
and the Republic of (South) Korea. If “Yes,” give name and address 

Motion picture or T.V. copyright royalties


Total foreign source income not effectively connected
with a U.S. trade or business  $ N/A N/A
J Did you file a U.S. income tax return for P Is this an “expatriation return” (see Nature of income
any year before 1999? Yes X No page 16)? Yes X No
If “Yes,” give the latest year and form number 

Paid by foreign corporations


If “Yes,” you must attach Form 8854 OR

83

84

85
attach an explanation as to why you are

Social security benefits


Pensions and annuities
K To which Internal Revenue office did you pay any amounts not submitting that statement. Foreign corporations

and losses from property sales


or exchanges that are from
sources within the United
States and not effectively
U.S.
business. Do not include a gain
or loss on disposing of a U.S.
real property interest; report
these gains and losses on

exchanges that are effectively


U.S.
business on Schedule D (Form
Enter only the capital gains

Report property sales or


claimed on Form 1040NR, lines 55, 57, and 60?
Dividends paid by:
U.S. corporations

1040NR, line 61a


Other (specify) 
N/A Q During 1999, did you apply for, or take

1040), Form 4797, or both.


1040NR, line 48

Schedule D (Form 1040).


other affirmative steps to apply for, lawful

a
L Have you excluded any gross income other
permanent resident status in the United
Form 1040NR (1999)

than foreign source income not effectively

with

with
Mortgage

States or have an application pending to


Interest:

connected with a U.S. trade or business? X Yes No adjust your status to that of a lawful
Other

If “Yes,” show the amount, nature, and source of the permanent resident of the United States? Yes No

connected

connected
excluded income. Also, give the reason it was excluded.
(Do not include amounts shown in item M.)  
c
b

b
a

If “Yes,” explain
70

71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78

79

80

81
82
69

Page 32
$93 U.S. bank interest not effectively connected with
a U.S. trade or business
If the due date for filing falls on a Form 1040NR–EZ
TIP Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday,
You can use Form 1040NR–EZ if all of the
7. the due date is the next day which is
not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. following conditions are met.
You may be able to file your return elec-
1) You do not claim any dependents.
What, When, and tronically. See IRS e-file in your form in-
structions. 2) You cannot be claimed as a dependent
on someone else's return.
Where To File 3) If you were married, you cannot claim
an exemption for your spouse.
4) Your taxable income is less than
Nonresident Aliens $50,000.
Introduction Nonresident aliens who are required to file 5) You do not claim any itemized de-
an income tax return should use Form ductions (other than for state and local
What return you must file, as well as when
1040NR or, if qualified, Form 1040NR–EZ. income taxes).
and where you file that return, depends on
If you are any of the following you must file
your status at the end of the tax year as a 6) You had only wages, salaries, tips, tax-
a return.
resident or a nonresident alien. able refunds of state and local income
1) A nonresident alien individual engaged taxes, and scholarship or fellowship
or considered to be engaged in a trade grants. (If you had taxable interest or
Topics dividend income, you cannot use this
This chapter discusses: or business in the United States during
1999. form.)
You must file even if: 7) You are not claiming any adjustments to
• Forms aliens must file income other than the student loan in-
a) Your income did not come from a terest deduction or scholarship and fel-
• When and where to file trade or business conducted in the lowship grants excluded.
• Amended returns and claims for refund United States,
8) You are not claiming any credits.
• Transportation of currency or monetary b) You have no income from U.S.
instruments sources, or 9) You do not have any “other taxes” (other
than social security and Medicare tax on
c) Your income is exempt from income tip income not reported to employer or
tax. household employment taxes).
Useful Items 2) A nonresident alien individual not en- If you do not qualify to file Form
You may want to see: gaged in a trade or business in the 1040NR–EZ, you must file Form 1040NR.
United States with U.S. income on which
Forms (and Instructions) the tax liability was not satisfied by the
withholding of tax at the source. When and Where To File
 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return If you are an employee and you receive
3) A representative or agent responsible for
filing the return of an individual described wages subject to U.S. income tax withholding,
 1040AU.S. Individual Income Tax Return
in (1) or (2). you will generally file by the 15th day of the
 1040EZ Income Tax Return for Single 4th month after your tax year ends. If you file
and Joint Filers With No Depen- 4) A fiduciary for a nonresident alien estate for the 1999 calendar year, your return is due
dents or trust. April 17, 2000, because April 15, 2000, falls
on a Saturday.
 1040NR U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Note. If you were a nonresident alien stu- If you are not an employee who receives
Tax Return dent or trainee who was temporarily present wages subject to U.S. income tax withholding,
in the United States under an “F,” “J,” “M,” or you must file by the 15th day of the 6th month
 1040NR–EZ U.S. Income Tax Return for “Q” visa, you are considered engaged in a after your tax year ends. For the 1999 calen-
Certain Nonresident Aliens With trade or business in the United States. You dar year, file your return by June 15, 2000.
No Dependents must file Form 1040NR (or Form For information on when and where to make
1040NR–EZ) only if you have income that is estimated tax payments, see chapter 8.
 4868 Application for Automatic Exten- subject to tax, such as wages, tips, scholar-
sion of Time To File U.S. Indi- ship and fellowship grants, dividends, etc. File Form 1040NR–EZ and Form
vidual Income Tax Return 1040NR at the following address.
See chapter 12 for information about get- You must also file if you want to:
ting these forms. Internal Revenue Service Center
1) Claim a refund of overwithheld or over- Philadelphia, PA 19255
paid tax, or
2) Claim the benefit of any deductions or
credits. For example, if you have no U.S.
Resident Aliens business activities but have income from When to file for deductions and credits.
Resident aliens should file Form 1040EZ, real property that you choose to treat as To get the benefit of any allowable deductions
1040A, or 1040 at the address shown in the effectively connected income (discussed or credits, you must timely file a true and ac-
instructions for that form. The due date for in chapter 4), you must timely file a true curate return. For this purpose, a return is
filing the return and paying any tax due is and accurate return to take any allow- timely if it is filed within 16 months of the due
April 15 of the year following the year for able deductions against that income. For date just discussed. However, if you did not
which you are filing a return (but see the information on what is timely, see When file a 1998 tax return and 1999 is not the first
TIP, below). to file for deductions and credits, later, year for which you are required to file one,
You are allowed an automatic extension under When and Where To File. your 1999 return is timely for this purpose if
to June 15 to file if your main place of busi- it is filed by the earlier of:
ness and the home you live in are outside the Even if you have left the United States 1) The date that is 16 months after the due
United States and Puerto Rico on April 15.
You can get an extension of time to August
! and filed a Form 1040–C, U.S. De-
CAUTION parting Alien Income Tax Return, on
date for filing your 1999 return, or
15 to file your return if you get an extension departure, you still must file an annual U.S. 2) The date the IRS notifies you that your
by April 15 (June 15 if you qualify for the June income tax return. If you are married and both 1999 return has not been filed and that
15 extension). See the instructions for the you and your spouse are required to file, you you cannot claim certain deductions and
form you are filing for more information. must each file a separate return. credits.
Chapter 7 What, When, and Where To File Page 33
The allowance of the following credits is not Department of Revenue and Taxation such form that title to them passes upon de-
affected by this time requirement. Government of Guam livery. The term includes bank checks and
P.O. Box 23607 money orders which are signed but on which
1) Credit for withheld taxes. GMF, GU 96921 the name of the payee has been omitted.
However, the term does not include bank
2) Credit for excise tax on certain uses of Residents of the CNMI should file their CNMI checks, travelers' checks, or money orders
gasoline and special fuels. income tax returns at the following address. made payable to the order of a named person
which have not been endorsed or which con-
3) Credit for tax paid by a regulated in- Division of Revenue and Taxation tain restrictive endorsements.
vestment company on capital gains. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana A transfer of funds through normal bank-
Islands ing procedures (wire transfer) that does not
Protective return. If your activities in the P.O. Box 5234 CHRB involve the physical transportation of currency
United States were limited and you do not Saipan, MP 96950 or bearer monetary instruments is not re-
believe that you had any gross income effec- quired to be reported on Customs Form 4790.
tively connected with a U.S. trade or business
during the year, you can file a protective re- Filing requirements. Customs Form 4790
turn (Form 1040NR) by the deadline ex- If you are a resident of the United States filing requirements follow.
plained above. By filing a protective return, on the last day of your tax year, you should Recipients. Each person who receives
you protect your right to receive the benefit file your return with, and pay any balance of currency or other monetary instruments from
of deductions and credits in the event it is your tax due on income derived from all a place outside the United States must file
later determined that some or all of your in- sources to the Internal Revenue Service Customs Form 4790 within 15 days after re-
come is effectively connected. You are not Center, Philadelphia, PA 19255. ceipt, with the Customs officer in charge at
required to report any effectively connected any port of entry or departure, or by mail to
income or any deductions on the protective Penalties. The law imposes penalties for fil- the following address.
return, but you must give the reason the re- ing your tax return late or for late payment of
turn is being filed. any tax due. However, a penalty is not Commissioner of Customs
If you believe some of your activities re- charged if you can show that there was rea- Attention: Currency Transportation
sulted in effectively connected income, file sonable cause for your filing or paying late. Reports
your return reporting that income and related You may be subject to additional penalties 1301 Constitution Ave., N.W.
deductions by the regular due date. To pro- for: Washington, DC 20229
tect your right to claim deductions or credits
resulting from other activities, attach a state- 1) Not supplying a taxpayer identification Shippers or mailers. If the currency or
ment to that return explaining that you wish number when required, other monetary instrument does not accom-
to protect your right to claim deductions and pany the person entering or departing the
2) Filing a frivolous income tax return, or United States, Customs Form 4790 can be
credits if it is later determined that the other
activities produced effectively connected in- 3) Not including a tax shelter identification filed by mail with the Commissioner of Cus-
come. number on a return when required. toms at the above address, on or before the
You can follow the same procedure if you date of entry, departure, mailing, or shipping.
believe you have no U.S. tax liability because Travelers. Travelers must file Customs
of a U.S. tax treaty. Be sure to also complete Amended Returns Form 4790 with the Customs officer in charge
items L and M on page 5 of Form 1040NR. at any Customs port of entry or departure,
and Claims for Refund when entering or departing the United States.
If you find changes in your income, de-
Aliens from the Virgin Islands. ductions, or credits after you mail your return, Penalties. Civil and criminal penalties are
file Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual provided for failure to file a report, or if the
If you are a bona fide resident of the Income Tax Return. Attach Form 1040NR report contains material omissions or mis-
Virgin Islands on the last day of your showing the changes to your original return statements and for structuring the transpor-
tax year and work temporarily in the and write “Amended” across the top. Ordi- tation of currency or monetary instruments to
United States, you must pay your income narily, an amended return claiming a refund avoid filing a report. Also, the entire amount
taxes to the Virgin Islands and file your in- must be filed within 3 years from the date your of the currency or monetary instrument may
come tax returns at the following address. return was filed or within 2 years from the time be subject to seizure and forfeiture.
the tax was paid, whichever is later. A return More information regarding the filing of
Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue filed before the final due date is considered Customs Form 4790 can be found in the in-
9601 Estate Thomas to have been filed on the due date. structions on the back of the form.
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
U.S. Virgin Islands 00802
Transportation of Currency
or Monetary Instruments
Report all income from U.S. sources, as
well as income from other sources, on your
return. For information on filing Virgin Islands
Customs Form 4790, Report of International
Transportation of Currency or Monetary In- 8.
struments, must be filed by each person who
returns, contact the Virgin Islands Bureau of physically transports, mails, or ships, or
Internal Revenue.
Chapter 8 discusses withholding from U.S.
causes to be physically transported, mailed, Paying Tax
or shipped, currency or other monetary in-
wages of Virgin Islanders. struments in a total amount of more than
$10,000 at one time from the United States
Through
Aliens from Guam or the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands. If you are
to any place outside the United States, or into
the United States from any place outside the
Withholding or
a resident of Guam or the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) on the
United States. The filing requirement also
applies to each person who attempts to Estimated Tax
last day of your tax year, you must file your transport, mail, or ship the currency or mon-
return and pay any tax due to Guam or the etary instruments or attempts to cause them
CNMI. Report all income, including income to be transported, mailed, or shipped.
from U.S. sources, on your return. It is not The term “monetary instruments” means
necessary to file a separate U.S. income tax coin or currency of the United States or of any Important Change
return. other country, travelers' checks in any form,
money orders, investment securities in bearer New forms. If your withholding agent is in
Guam residents should file their form or otherwise in such form that title to compliance with the new withholding regu-
Guam returns at the following ad- them passes upon delivery, and negotiable lations, you may be asked to complete new
dress. instruments (except warehouse receipts or forms. For information, see Important
bills of lading) in bearer form or otherwise in Changes at the beginning of this publication.
Page 34 Chapter 8 Paying Tax Through Withholding or Estimated Tax
sonal Services of a Nonresident 3) Request that your employer withhold an
Alien Individual additional amount of $7.60 per week on
Introduction line 6. If your wages are paid based on
 8288–B Application for Withholding Cer-
This chapter discusses how to pay your U.S. a 2-week pay period, the additional
income tax as you earn or receive income tificate for Dispositions by Foreign amount will be $15.30. For other payroll
during the year. In general, the federal in- Persons of U.S. Real Property periods, ask your employer for the
come tax is a pay as you go tax. There are Interests amount to enter.
two ways to pay as you go. See chapter 12 for information about get-
ting these publications and forms. 4) Do not claim “Exempt” withholding sta-
1) Withholding. If you are an employee, tus on line 7.
your employer probably withholds in-
come tax from your pay. Tax may also A U.S. national is an individual who, al-
be withheld from certain other though not a U.S. citizen, owes his or her al-
income—including pensions, bonuses, Notification of legiance to the United States. U.S. nationals
commissions, and gambling winnings. In include American Samoans, and Northern
each case, the amount withheld is paid Alien Status Mariana Islanders who chose to become U.S.
to the U.S. Treasury in your name. You must let your employer know whether nationals instead of U.S. citizens.
you are a resident or a nonresident alien so See Reduced Withholding on Scholar-
2) Estimated tax. If you do not pay your your employer can withhold the correct ships and Fellowship Grants, later, for how to
tax through withholding, or do not pay amount of tax from your wages. fill out Form W–4 if you receive a U.S. source
enough tax that way, you might have to If you are a resident alien under the rules scholarship or fellowship grant.
pay estimated tax. People who are in discussed in chapter 1, you should file Form
business for themselves generally will 1078 with your employer. If you are a non- Students and business apprentices from
have to pay their tax this way. You may resident alien under those rules, you do not India. If you are eligible for the benefits of
have to pay estimated tax if you receive have to file a form, but it would be helpful if Article 21(2) of the United States-India In-
income such as dividends, interest, rent, you told your employer that you are a non- come Tax Treaty, you may claim additional
and royalties. Estimated tax is used to resident alien. withholding allowances for the standard de-
pay not only income tax, but self- If you are a resident alien and you receive duction and your spouse. You may also claim
employment tax and alternative mini- income other than wages (such as dividends an additional withholding allowance for each
mum tax as well. and royalties) from sources within the United of your dependents not admitted to the United
States, you should file Form 1078 with the States on “F–2,” “J–2,” or “M–2” visas if they
withholding agent (generally, the payer of the meet the same rules that apply to U.S. citi-
income) so the agent will not withhold tax on zens. You do not have to request additional
Topics the income at the 30% (or lower treaty) rate. withholding on line 6.
This chapter discusses: If you receive this type of income as a non-
resident alien, it is usually subject to with-
• How to notify your employer of your alien holding at the 30% (or lower treaty) rate. Withholding on Pensions
status If you receive a pension as a result of per-
• Income subject to withholding of income sonal services performed in the United
tax States, the pension income is treated as ef-
• Exemptions from withholding Withholding From fectively connected with a U.S. trade or busi-
ness. This income will be subject to gradu-
• Social security and Medicare taxes Compensation ated withholding under the pension with-
holding rules that apply to U.S. citizens and
• Estimated tax rules The following discussion generally applies resident aliens.
only to nonresident aliens. Tax is withheld You must fill out a Form W–4P using the
from resident aliens in the same manner as following guidelines. On line 2, check only
Useful Items U.S. citizens. “Single” marital status, and claim only one
You may want to see: Wages and other compensation paid to a withholding allowance unless you are a resi-
nonresident alien for services performed as dent of Canada, Mexico, Japan, or South
Publication an employee are usually subject to graduated Korea, or a U.S. national.
withholding at the same rates as resident al- A nonresident alien who receives periodic
 515 Withholding of Tax on Nonresi- iens and U.S. citizens. Therefore, your com- pension payments or nonperiodic pension
dent Aliens and Foreign Corpo- pensation, unless it is specifically excluded distributions outside of the United States can
rations from the term “wages” by law, or is exempt choose to not have tax withheld under the
from tax by treaty, is subject to graduated graduated withholding rules. However, if you
 533 Self-Employment Tax withholding. make this choice, the 30% (or lower treaty
 901 U.S. Tax Treaties rate) withholding tax will apply.

Form (and Instructions)


Withholding on Wages
If you are an employee and you receive Withholding on Tip Income
 W–4 Employee's Withholding Allow- wages subject to graduated withholding, you Tips you receive during the year for services
ance Certificate will be required to fill out a Form W–4. Non- performed in the United States are subject to
resident aliens should use the following in- U.S. income tax. Include them in taxable in-
 W–4P Withholding Certificate for Pen- structions instead of the instructions on the
sion or Annuity Payments come. In addition, tips received while working
Form W–4. for one employer, amounting to $20 or more
 W–8 Certificate of Foreign Status Because of the restrictions on a nonresi- in a month, are subject to graduated with-
dent alien's filing status, the limited number holding.
 1040–ES(NR) U.S. Estimated Tax for of personal exemptions a nonresident alien is
Nonresident Alien Individuals allowed, and the fact that a nonresident alien
 1078 Certificate of Alien Claiming Resi- cannot claim the standard deduction, you Independent Contractors
dence in the United States should fill out Form W–4 following these in-
If there is no employee-employer relationship
structions.
 4224 Exemption From Withholding of between you and the person for whom you
Tax on Income Effectively Con- 1) Check only “Single” marital status on line perform services, your compensation is sub-
nected With the Conduct of a 3 (regardless of your actual marital sta- ject to the 30% (or lower treaty) rate of with-
Trade or Business in the United tus). holding. However, if you are engaged in a
States trade or business in the United States during
2) Claim only one allowance on line 5, un- the tax year, your compensation for personal
 8233 Exemption From Withholding on less you are a resident of Canada, services as an independent contractor (inde-
Compensation for Independent Mexico, Japan, or South Korea, or a U.S. pendent personal services) may be entirely
(and Certain Dependent) Per- national. or partly exempt from withholding if you reach
Chapter 8 Paying Tax Through Withholding or Estimated Tax Page 35
an agreement with the Internal Revenue (International) will prepare a withholding 5) The amount of your outstanding tax li-
Service on the amount of withholding re- agreement. The agreement must be signed abilities, if any, including interest and
quired. Also, the final payment to you during by each withholding agent, each nonresident penalties, from the current tax year or
the tax year for independent personal ser- alien covered by the agreement, and the As- prior tax periods.
vices may be entirely or partly exempt from sistant Commissioner (International).
6) Any provision of an income tax treaty
withholding if you are engaged in a trade or Generally, each withholding agent must
under which a partial or complete ex-
business in the United States during the year agree to withhold income tax from payments
emption from withholding may be
and you file the forms and provide the infor- made to the nonresident alien, to pay over the
claimed, the country of your residence,
mation required by the IRS. withheld tax to the IRS on the dates and in the
and a statement of sufficient facts to
amounts specified in the agreement, and to
justify an exemption under the treaty.
Withholding Agreement have the IRS apply the payments of withheld
tax to the withholding agent's Form 1042 ac- 7) A statement signed by you, and verified
An agreement that you reach with the IRS count. Each withholding agent will be required by a declaration that it is made under
regarding withholding from your compen- to file Form 1042 and Form 1042–S for each penalties of perjury, that all the informa-
sation for independent personal services is tax year in which income is paid to a nonres- tion given is true and that to your
effective for payments covered by the agree- ident alien covered by the withholding agree- knowledge no relevant information has
ment after it is agreed to by all parties. You ment. The IRS will credit the withheld tax been omitted.
must agree to timely file an income tax return payments, posted to the withholding agent's
for the current tax year. Form 1042 account, in accordance with the If satisfied with the information, the IRS
Form 1042–S. Each nonresident alien cov- will determine the amount of your tentative
Central withholding agreements. If you are ered by the withholding agreement must income tax for the tax year on gross income
a nonresident alien entertainer or athlete agree to file Form 1040NR or Form effectively connected with your trade or busi-
performing or participating in athletic events 1040NR–EZ. ness in the United States. Ordinary and nec-
in the United States, you may be able to enter essary business expenses can be taken into
into a withholding agreement with the IRS for A request for a central withholding account if proven to the satisfaction of the
reduced withholding provided certain require- agreement should be sent to the fol- Assistant Commissioner (International).
ments are met. Under no circumstances will lowing address at least 90 days be- The IRS will send you a letter, directed to
such a withholding agreement reduce taxes fore the agreement is to take effect. the withholding agent, showing the amount
withheld to less than the anticipated amount of the final payment of compensation that is
of income tax liability. Internal Revenue Service exempt from withholding and the amount that
Nonresident alien entertainers or athletes Chief, Special Procedures Section can be paid to you because of the exemption.
requesting a central withholding agreement OP:IN:D:C:SS:TS You must give two copies of the letter to the
must submit the following information. Room 4417 withholding agent and must also attach a
950 L'Enfant Plaza South, S.W. copy of the letter to your income tax return for
1) A list of the names and addresses of the Washington, DC 20024 the tax year for which the exemption is ef-
nonresident aliens to be covered by the fective.
agreement.
Final payment exemption. Your final pay-
2) Copies of all contracts that the aliens or ment of compensation during the tax year for Allowance for
their agents and representatives have independent personal services may be en- Personal Exemption
entered into regarding the time period tirely or partly exempt from withholding. This Withholding on payments for independent
and performances or events to be cov- exemption is available only once during your personal services is generally based on the
ered by the agreement including, but not tax year and applies to a maximum of $5,000 amount of your compensation payment minus
limited to, contracts with: of compensation. To obtain this exemption, the value of one exemption ($2,800 for 2000).
a) Employers, agents, and promoters, you or your agent must give the following To determine the income for independent
statements and information to the Assistant personal services performed in the United
b) Exhibition halls, Commissioner (International). States to which the 30% (or lower treaty) rate
c) Persons providing lodging, trans- will apply, one personal exemption is allowed
portation, and advertising, and 1) A statement by each withholding agent a nonresident alien who is not a U.S. national
from whom you have received gross in- and is not a resident of Canada, Mexico,
d) Accompanying personnel, such as come effectively connected with a trade Japan, or South Korea. For purposes of 30%
band members or trainers. or business in the United States during withholding, the exemption is prorated at
3) An itinerary of dates and locations of all the tax year, showing the amount of in- $7.65 a day in 2000 for the period that labor
events or performances scheduled dur- come paid and the tax withheld. Each or personal services are performed in the
ing the period to be covered by the statement must be signed by the with- United States. To claim an exemption from
agreement. holding agent and verified by a declara- withholding on the personal exemption
tion that it is made under penalties of amount, fill out the applicable parts of Form
4) A proposed budget containing itemized perjury. 8233 and give it to the withholding agent.
estimates of all gross income and ex-
penses for the period covered by the 2) A statement by the withholding agent Example. Eric Schmidt, who is a resident
agreement, including any documents to from whom you expect to receive the of Germany, worked under a contract with a
support these estimates. final payment of compensation, showing U.S. firm (not as an employee) in the United
the amount of the payment and the States for 100 days during 2000 before re-
5) The name, address, and telephone amount of tax that would be withheld if turning to his country. He earned $6,000 for
number of the person the IRS should a final payment exemption were not the services performed (not considered
contact if additional information or doc- granted. This statement must also be wages) in the United States. Eric is married
umentation is needed. signed by the withholding agent and and has three dependent children. His wife is
6) The name, address, and employer iden- verified by a declaration that it is made not employed and has no income subject to
tification number of the agent or agents under penalties of perjury. U.S. tax. The amount of the personal ex-
who will be the central withholding 3) A statement by you that you do not in- emption to be allowed against the income for
agents for the aliens and who will enter tend to receive any other income effec- his personal services performed within the
into a contract with the IRS. A central tively connected with a trade or business United States in 2000 is $765 (100 days ×
withholding agent ordinarily receives in the United States during the current $7.65), and withholding at 30% is applied
contract payments, keeps books of ac- tax year. against the balance. Thus, $1,570.50 in tax
count for the aliens covered by the is withheld from Eric's earnings (30% of
agreement, and pays expenses (includ- 4) The amount of tax that has been with- $5,235).
ing tax liabilities) for the aliens during the held or paid under any other provision
period covered by the agreement. of the Internal Revenue Code or regu- U.S. nationals or residents of Canada,
lations for any income effectively con- Mexico, Japan, or South Korea. If you are
When the IRS approves the estimated nected with your trade or business in the a nonresident alien who is a resident of
budget and the designated central withhold- United States during the current tax Canada, Mexico, Japan, or South Korea, or
ing agents, the Associate Chief Counsel year. who is a national of the United States, you
Page 36 Chapter 8 Paying Tax Through Withholding or Estimated Tax
are subject to the same 30% withholding on and must include a written declaration that it
your compensation for independent personal is made under the penalties of perjury.
Reduced Withholding
services performed in the United States. on Scholarships
However, if you are a U.S. national or a resi-
dent of Canada or Mexico, you are allowed
and Fellowship Grants
the same personal exemptions as U.S. citi- Certain Residents There is no withholding on a qualified
zens. For the 30% (or lower treaty rate) with- of Puerto Rico scholarship received by a candidate for a
holding, you can take $7.65 per day for each degree. See chapter 3.
If you are a nonresident alien employee who If you are a nonresident alien student or
allowable exemption in 2000. If you are a
is a resident of Puerto Rico, wages for ser- grantee with an “F,” “J,” “M,” or “Q” visa and
resident of Japan or Korea, you are allowed
vices performed in Puerto Rico are generally you receive a U.S. source grant or scholar-
personal exemptions for yourself and for your
not subject to withholding unless you are an ship that is not fully exempt, the withholding
spouse and children who live with you in the
employee of the United States or any of its agent (usually the payer of the scholarship)
United States at any time during the tax year.
agencies in Puerto Rico. withholds tax at 14% (or lower treaty rate) of
However, the additional exemptions for your
spouse and children must be further prorated the taxable part of the grant or scholarship.
as explained in chapter 5 under Exemptions. However, if you are not a candidate for a de-
Residents of the gree and the grant does not meet certain re-
quirements, tax will be withheld at the 30%
U.S. Virgin Islands (or lower treaty) rate.
Students and business apprentices from Nonresident aliens who are bona fide resi- To reduce the amount subject to the 14%
India. If you are eligible for the benefits of dents of the Virgin Islands are not subject to rate, you should fill out Form W–4 and the
Article 21(2) of the United States-India In- withholding of U.S. tax on income earned Personal Allowances Worksheet (attached to
come Tax Treaty, you are allowed an ex- while temporarily employed in the United Form W–4) every year and give it to the
emption for your spouse. You are also al- States. This is because those persons pay withholding agent. Use the following proce-
lowed an exemption for each dependent not their income tax to the Virgin Islands. To dures instead of the Form W–4 instructions
admitted to the United States on “F–2,” avoid having tax withheld on income earned to complete the worksheet.
“J–2,” or “M–2” visas if they meet the same in the United States, bona fide residents of
rules that apply to U.S. citizens. For the 30% the Virgin Islands should write a letter, in du- Line A. Enter the total of the following
(or lower treaty rate) withholding on compen- plicate, to their employers, stating that they amounts on line A.
sation for independent personal services are bona fide residents of the Virgin Islands Personal exemption. Include the pro-
performed in the United States, you are al- and expect to pay tax on all income to the rated part of your allowable personal ex-
lowed $7.65 per day for each allowable ex- Virgin Islands. emption. Figure the amount by multiplying
emption in 2000. the number of days you expect to be in the
United States in 2000 by the daily exemption
amount ($7.65).
Residents of Canada or Expenses. Include expenses that will be
Mexico Engaged in Withholding From deductible on your return. These include
away-from-home expenses (meals, lodging,
Transportation-Related Other Income and transportation), certain state and local
Employment income taxes, charitable contributions, and
Other income subject to 30% withholding casualty losses, discussed earlier under
Certain residents of Canada or Mexico who generally includes fixed or determinable in- Itemized Deductions in chapter 5. They also
enter or leave the United States at frequent come such as interest (other than portfolio include business expenses, moving ex-
intervals are not subject to withholding on interest), dividends, pensions and annuities, penses, and the IRA deduction discussed
their wages. These persons either: and gains from certain sales and exchanges, under Deductions in chapter 5.
discussed in chapter 4. It also includes 85% The amount of away-from-home expenses
1) Perform duties in transportation service of social security benefits paid to nonresident should be the anticipated actual amount, if
between the United States and Canada aliens. known. If you do not know the amount of ac-
or Mexico, or Income (other than compensation) that is tual expenses at the time you complete Form
effectively connected with your U.S. trade or W-4, you can claim the current per diem al-
2) Perform duties connected to the con- business is not subject to withholding at the lowance for participants in the Career Edu-
struction, maintenance, or operation of 30% (or lower treaty) rate. You must file Form cation Program under the Federal Travel
a waterway, viaduct, dam, or bridge 4224 with the payer of the income. Regulations. The current per diem allowance
crossed by, or crossing, the boundary Special rules for withholding on partner- is $18 per day.
between the United States and Canada ship income, scholarships, and fellowships Nontaxable grant or scholarship. In-
or the boundary between the United are explained next. clude the part of your grant or scholarship that
States and Mexico. is not taxable under U.S. law or under a tax
treaty.
This employment is subject to with-
Tax Withheld on
! holding of social security and Medi-
CAUTION care taxes unless the services are Partnership Income
Line B. Enter –0– unless the following par-
agraph applies to you.
performed for a railroad. If you are a foreign partner in a U.S. or foreign If you are a student who qualifies under
partnership, the partnership will withhold tax Article 21(2) of the United States-India in-
To qualify for the exemption from with- on your share of effectively connected taxable come tax treaty, and you are not claiming
holding during a tax year, a Canadian or income from the partnership. The partnership deductions for away-from-home expenses or
Mexican resident must give the employer a will give you a statement on Form 8805, For- other itemized deductions (discussed earlier),
statement in duplicate with name, address, eign Partner's Information Statement of Sec- enter the standard deduction on line B. The
and identification number, certifying that the tion 1446 Withholding Tax, showing the tax standard deduction amount for 2000 is $4,400
resident: withheld. A partnership that is publicly traded if you are single or $3,675 if you are married.
may withhold on your actual distributions of
1) Is not a U.S. citizen or resident, effectively connected income. In this case the Lines C and D. Enter –0– on both lines un-
partnership will give you a statement on Form less the following paragraphs apply to you.
2) Is a resident of Canada or Mexico, 1042–S, Foreign Person's U.S. Source In- If you are a resident of Canada, Mexico,
whichever applies, and come Subject to Withholding. In either case, Japan, South Korea, or a U.S. national, an
the withholding rate is 39.6%. Claim the tax additional daily exemption amount may be
3) Expects to perform duties previously withheld as a credit on line 61b of Form allowed for your spouse and each of your
described during the tax year in ques- 1040NR. dependents.
tion. If you are a foreign partner responsible for If you are a resident of India who is eligible
withholding, see Partnership Withholding on for the benefits of Article 21(2) of the United
The statement can be in any form, but it Effectively Connected Income in Publication States-India income tax treaty, you can claim
must be dated and signed by the employee 515. an additional daily exemption amount for your
Chapter 8 Paying Tax Through Withholding or Estimated Tax Page 37
spouse. You can also claim an additional employees) can also use Form 8233 to claim
amount for each of your dependents not ad- exemption from withholding of tax on com-
mitted to the United States on “F–2,” “J–2,” pensation for services that is exempt from Tax Withheld on
or “M–2” visas if they meet the same rules U.S. tax under a U.S. tax treaty.
that apply to U.S. citizens. Attach the appropriate statement shown Real Property Sales
Enter any additional amount for your in Appendix A (for students) or Appendix B If you are a nonresident alien and you dispose
spouse on line C. Enter any additional (for teachers and researchers) at the end of of a U.S. real property interest, the transferee
amount for your dependents on line D. this publication to the Form 8233 and give it (buyer) of the property generally must with-
to the withholding agent. For treaties not hold a tax equal to 10% of the amount real-
listed in the appendices, attach a statement ized on the disposition. Withholding is also
Line H. No entries should be made on lines
in a format similar to those for other treaties. required on certain distributions and other
E, F, and G. Add the amounts on lines A
through G and enter the total on line H. transactions by domestic or foreign corpo-
Employees. If you are not a student, rations, partnerships, trusts, and estates.
teacher, or researcher, but you perform ser- These rules are covered in Publication 515
Form W–4. Complete lines 1 through 4 of under U.S. Real Property Interest.
vices as an employee and your pay is exempt
Form W–4. Sign and date the form and give If you are a partner in a domestic part-
from U.S. income tax under a tax treaty, you
it with the Personal Allowances Worksheet to nership, and the partnership disposes of a
can avoid having tax withheld from your
your withholding agent. U.S. real property interest at a gain, tax will
wages. Give a statement to your employer, in
If you file a Form W–4 to reduce or elimi- be withheld by the partnership on the amount
duplicate, for the tax year giving your name,
nate the withholding on your scholarship or of gain allocable to its foreign partners. Your
address, taxpayer identification number, and
grant, you must file an annual U.S. income share of the income and tax withheld will be
country of which you are a resident, and cer-
tax return to be allowed the exemptions and reported to you on Form 8805, Foreign Part-
tifying that:
deductions you claimed on that form. If you ner's Information Statement of Section 1446
are in the United States during more than one Withholding Tax, or Form 1042–S, Foreign
tax year, you must attach a statement to your 1) You are not a citizen or resident of the
United States, and Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to
yearly Form W–4 indicating that you have Withholding (in the case of a publicly traded
filed a U.S. income tax return for the previous 2) Your compensation is exempt from U.S. partnership).
year. If you have not been in the United income tax and why it is exempt. Withholding is not required in the following
States long enough to be required to file a situations.
return, you must attach a statement to your
The statement should indicate the tax
Form W–4 saying you will file a U.S. income
treaty and provision under which you claim 1) The property is acquired by the buyer for
tax return when required.
the exemption and should show the facts you use as a residence and the amount re-
After the withholding agent has accepted
rely on to prove you meet the requirements alized (purchase price) is not more than
your Form W–4, tax will be withheld on your
of a treaty provision. These can be found in $300,000.
scholarship or grant as if it were wages. The
the applicable tax treaty article.
gross amount of the income is reduced by the 2) The property disposed of is an interest
Date and sign the statement. Identify the
amount on line H of the worksheet and the in a domestic corporation if any class of
tax year to which it applies and the compen-
withholding tax is figured on the remainder. stock of the corporation is regularly
sation to which it relates. Include a declara-
You will receive a Form 1042–S from the traded on an established securities mar-
tion that you make the statement under the
withholding agent (usually the payer of your ket.
penalties of perjury.
grant) showing the gross amount of your
scholarship or fellowship grant less the with- 3) The property disposed of is an interest
holding allowance amount, the tax rate, and Special events and promotions. Withhold- in a corporation that is not regularly
the amount of tax withheld. Use this form to ing at the full 30% rate is required for pay- traded on an established market if you
file your annual U.S. income tax return. ments made to a nonresident alien or foreign give the buyer a copy of a statement is-
corporation for gate receipts (or television or sued by the corporation certifying that
other receipts) from rock music festivals, the interest is not a U.S. real property
boxing promotions, and other entertainment interest.
or sporting events, unless the withholding
Income Entitled to agent has been specifically advised otherwise 4) You (the seller) give the buyer a certif-
by letter from the IRS. This is true even if the ication stating, under penalties of per-
Tax Treaty Benefits income may be exempt from taxation by pro- jury, that you are not a foreign person,
If a tax treaty between the United States and visions of a tax treaty. One reason for this is and containing your name, U.S. taxpayer
your country provides an exemption from, or that the partial or complete exemption is identification number, and home ad-
a reduced rate of, withholding for certain usually based on factors that cannot be de- dress.
items of income, you should notify the payer termined until after the close of the tax year.
5) The buyer receives a withholding certif-
of the income (the withholding agent) of your icate from the Internal Revenue Service.
foreign status to claim the benefits of the The required letter should be re-
treaty. Generally, you do this by filing Form quested from the:
6) You give the buyer written notice that
1001, Ownership, Exemption, or Reduced you are not required to recognize any
Rate Certificate, with the withholding agent. gain or loss on the transfer because of
However, do not use Form 1001 for dividends Internal Revenue Service
Assistant Commissioner (International) a nonrecognition provision in the Internal
or compensation for personal services. For Revenue Code or a provision in a U.S.
dividends, the payor can rely on your address Attn: OP:IN:D:C:SS:TS
950 L'Enfant Plaza South, S.W. tax treaty. The buyer must file a copy of
of record as the basis for allowing you the the notice with the: Director, Philadelphia
benefit of the treaty. The rules that apply to Washington, DC 20024.
Service Center, 11601 Roosevelt Blvd.,
compensation for personal services are dis- Philadelphia, PA 19255 Attn: Drop Point
cussed next. 543X.
Entertainers and athletes can also apply
for reduced withholding on the basis of their 7) The amount you realize on the transfer
Independent contractors. If you perform
net income after expenses. See Central of a U.S. real property interest is zero.
personal services as an independent con-
tractor (rather than an employee) and you can withholding agreements, earlier, under With-
holding from Compensation. 8) The property is acquired by the United
claim an exemption from withholding on that States, a U.S. state or possession, a
personal service income because of a tax political subdivision, or the District of
You will be required to pay U.S. tax,
treaty, submit Form 8233 to each withholding
agent from whom amounts will be received. ! at the time of your departure from the
CAUTION United States, on any income for
Columbia.

which you incorrectly claimed a treaty ex- The certifications in (3) and (4) must be
Students, teachers, and researchers. Alien emption. For more details on treaty provisions disregarded by the buyer if the buyer has
students, teachers, and researchers who that apply to compensation, see Publication actual knowledge, or receives notice from a
perform dependent personal services (as 901. seller's or buyer's agent, that they are false.
Page 38 Chapter 8 Paying Tax Through Withholding or Estimated Tax
The tax required to be withheld on a dis- United States, regardless of the citizenship for this work unless the student is considered
position can be reduced or eliminated under or residence of either the employee or the a resident alien.
a withholding certificate issued by the IRS. employer. In limited situations, these taxes Students in “M–1” status who have com-
Either you or the buyer can request a with- apply to wages for services performed outside pleted a course of study can accept employ-
holding certificate. the United States. Your employer should be ment or practical training for up to six months
A withholding certificate can be issued due able to tell you if social security and Medicare and must have a Form I–688B or Form I–766
to any of the following. taxes apply to your wages. You cannot make issued by INS. Social security and Medicare
voluntary payments if no taxes are due. taxes are not withheld from “M–1” students'
1) A determination by the IRS that reduced pay for these services unless the student is
withholding is appropriate because ei- considered a resident alien.
ther: Students and In all other cases, any services performed
a) The amount required to be withheld Exchange Visitors by a nonresident alien student are not con-
would be more than the transferor's sidered as performed to carry out the purpose
Generally, services performed by you as a for which the student was admitted to the
maximum tax liability, or nonresident alien temporarily in the United United States. Social security and Medicare
b) Withholding of the reduced amount States as a nonimmigrant under subpara- taxes will be withheld from pay for the ser-
would not jeopardize collection of graph (F), (J), (M), or (Q) of section vices unless the pay is exempt under the
the tax. 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Internal Revenue Code.
Act are not covered under the social security
2) The exemption from U.S. tax of all gain program if the services are performed to carry
realized by the transferor. out the purpose for which you were admitted Exchange Visitors
3) An agreement for the payment of tax to the United States. This means that there Nonresident aliens are admitted to the United
providing security for the tax liability, will be no withholding of social security or States as nonimmigrant exchange visitors
entered into by the transferee or trans- Medicare taxes from the pay you receive for under section 101(a)(15)(J) of the Immi-
feror. these services. These types of services are gration and Nationality Act through the spon-
very limited, and generally include only on- sorship of approved organizations and insti-
Get Publication 515 and Form 8288–B for campus work, practical training, and eco- tutions that are responsible for establishing a
information on procedures to request a with- nomic hardship employment. program for the exchange visitor and for any
holding certificate. However, you are covered under the so- later modification of that program. Generally,
cial security program for these services if you an exchange visitor who has the permission
Credit for tax withheld. The buyer must are considered a resident alien as discussed of the sponsor can work for the same reasons
report and pay over the withheld tax within in chapter 1, even though your nonimmigrant as the students discussed above. In these
20 days after the transfer using Form 8288, classification (“F,” “J,” “M,” or “Q”) remains the cases, permission is granted by a letter from
U.S. Withholding Tax Return for Dispositions same. Social security and Medicare taxes will the exchange visitor's sponsor or by
by Foreign Persons of U.S. Real Property In- be withheld from your pay. endorsement from the program sponsor on
terests. This form is filed with the IRS with two Form IAP–66, Certificate of Eligibility.
copies of Form 8288–A, Statement of With- Social security and Medicare taxes are not
holding on Dispositions by Foreign Persons
Nonresident Alien Students withheld on pay for services of an exchange
of U.S. Real Property Interests. Copy B of If you are a nonresident alien admitted to the visitor who has been given permission to work
this statement will be stamped received by United States as a student, you generally are and who possesses or obtains a letter of au-
the IRS and returned to you (the seller). You not permitted to work for a wage or salary or thorization from the sponsor unless the ex-
must file Copy B with your tax return to take to engage in business while you are in the change visitor is considered a resident alien.
credit for the tax withheld. United States. In some cases, a student, ad- In all other cases, services performed by
mitted to the United States in “F–1,” “M–1,” an exchange visitor are not considered as
or “J–1” status, is granted permission to work performed to carry out the purpose for which
and it is so noted on the student's copy of the visitor was admitted to the United States.
Immigration Form I–94, Arrival-Departure
Social Security and Record. Social security and Medicare taxes
Social security and Medicare taxes are with-
held from pay for the services unless the pay
Medicare Taxes are not withheld from pay for the work unless
the student is considered a resident alien.
is exempt under the Internal Revenue Code.
If you are a “J–1” visa holder, your spouse
If you work as an employee in the United or child may be permitted to work in the
States, you must pay social security and Any student who is enrolled and reg-
United States with the prior approval of the
Medicare taxes in most cases. Your pay- TIP ularly attending classes at a school
INS and issuance of Form I–688B or Form
ments of these taxes contribute to your cov- may be exempt from social security
I–766.
erage under the U.S. social security system. and Medicare taxes on pay for services per-
Nonresident aliens admitted to the United
Social security coverage provides retirement formed for that school.
States as participants in cultural exchange
benefits and medical insurance (Medicare) programs under section 101(a)(15)(Q) of the
benefits to individuals who meet certain eligi- The Immigration and Naturalization Ser- Immigration and Nationality Act may be ex-
bility requirements. vice (INS) permits on-campus work for stu- empt from social security and Medicare taxes.
In most cases, the first $72,600 of taxable dents in “F–1” status if it does not displace a Aliens with “Q” visas are aliens whose em-
wages received in 1999 for services per- U.S. resident. On-campus work means work ployment or training affords the opportunity
formed in the United States is subject to so- performed on the school's premises. On- for culture-sharing with the American public.
cial security tax. All taxable wages are subject campus employment includes work per- They are allowed to work in the United States
to Medicare tax. Your employer deducts these formed at an off-campus location that is edu- for a specific employer in an approved cultural
taxes from each wage payment. Your em- cationally affiliated with the school. exchange program. The employer must be
ployer must deduct these taxes even if you On-campus work under the terms of a schol- the petitioner through whom the alien ob-
do not expect to qualify for social security or arship, fellowship, or assistantship is consid- tained the “Q” visa. Social security and
Medicare benefits. You can claim a credit for ered part of the academic program of a stu- Medicare taxes are not withheld from pay for
excess social security tax on your income tax dent taking a full course of study and is this work unless the alien is considered a
return if you have more than one employer permitted by the INS. In this case, the edu- resident alien. Aliens with “Q” visas are not
and the amount deducted from your com- cational institution endorses the Form I–20. permitted to engage in employment outside
bined wages for 1999 is more than $4,501.20. Social security and Medicare taxes are not the exchange program activities.
Use the worksheet in chapter 3 of Publication withheld from pay for this work unless the
505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, to student is considered a resident alien.
figure your credit. Employment due to severe economic ne- Refund of Taxes Withheld in Error
If any one employer deducted more than cessity and for optional practical training is If social security or Medicare taxes were
$4,501.20, you cannot claim a credit for that sometimes permitted for students in “F–1” withheld in error from pay you receive that is
amount. Ask your employer to refund the ex- status. Students granted permission to work not subject to these taxes, contact the em-
cess. due to severe economic necessity or for op- ployer who withheld the taxes for reimburse-
In general, U.S. social security and Medi- tional practical training will be issued Form ment. If you are unable to get a full refund
care taxes apply to payments of wages for I–688B or Form I–766 by INS. Social security of the amount from your employer, file a claim
services performed as an employee in the and Medicare taxes are not withheld from pay for refund with the Internal Revenue Service
Chapter 8 Paying Tax Through Withholding or Estimated Tax Page 39
on Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request If the foreign agency refuses to issue tax paid in figuring your adjusted gross in-
for Abatement, and attach a copy of your the necessary statement, either you come.
Form W–2 to prove the amount of social se- or your employer should request a
curity and Medicare taxes withheld. Also at- statement that your wages are not covered More information. Get Publication 533 for
tach a copy of your visa (if not stamped on by the U.S. social security system. Request more information about self-employment tax.
Form I–94), INS Form I–94 and INS Form the statement from the following address.
I–538, Certification by Designated School
Official. You must also attach a statement U.S. Social Security Administration
from your employer indicating the amount of Office of International Programs
the reimbursement your employer provided P.O. Box 17741 Estimated Tax
and the amount of the credit or refund your Baltimore, MD 21235
employer claimed or you authorized your Form 1040–ES(NR)
employer to claim. If you cannot obtain this You may have income from which no U.S.
statement from your employer, you must Only wages paid on or after the ef- income tax is withheld. Or the amount of tax
provide this information on your own state-
ment and explain why you are not attaching
!
CAUTION
fective date of the agreement can be
exempt from U.S. social security
withheld may not equal the income tax you
estimate you will owe at the end of the year.
a statement from your employer. taxes. If so, you may have to pay estimated tax.
File the claim for refund (with attachments) Generally, you must make estimated tax
with the IRS office where your employer's payments for 2000 if you expect to owe at
returns were filed. If you do not know where Self-Employment Tax least $1,000 in tax and you expect your with-
your employer's returns were filed, file your Nonresident aliens are not subject to self- holding and credits to be less than the smaller
claim with the Internal Revenue Service employment tax. Self-employment tax is the of:
Center, Philadelphia, PA 19255. social security and Medicare taxes for indi-
viduals who are self-employed. Residents of 1) 90% of the tax to be shown on your 2000
the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, the income tax return, or
International Social Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Is-
2) 100% of the tax shown on your 1999
lands, or American Samoa are considered
Security Agreements U.S. residents for this purpose and are sub- income tax return (if your 1999 return
The United States has entered into social ject to the self-employment tax. covered all 12 months of the year).
security agreements with foreign countries to Resident aliens must pay self-employment
coordinate social security coverage and tax- tax under the same rules that apply to U.S. If your adjusted gross income for 1999 was
ation of workers employed for part or all of citizens. However, although a U.S. citizen more than $150,000 ($75,000 if your filing
their working careers in one of the countries. employed by an international organization, a status for 2000 is married filing separately),
These agreements are commonly referred to foreign government, or a wholly-owned in- substitute 108.6% for 100% in (2) above if you
as totalization agreements. Agreements with strumentality of a foreign government is sub- are not a farmer or a fisherman.
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, ject to the self-employment tax on income A nonresident alien should use Form
Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, earned in the United States, a resident alien 1040–ES(NR) to figure and pay estimated
the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, employed by such an organization or gov- tax. Checks should be made payable to the
Sweden, Switzerland, and the United ernment does not have to pay self-employ- "United States Treasury."
Kingdom are in effect. Other agreements are ment tax.
also expected to enter into force in the future. If you are self-employed in both the United
Under these agreements dual coverage and States and in a country with which the United How to estimate your tax for 2000. If you
dual contributions (taxes) for the same work States has a social security agreement (as filed a 1999 return on Form 1040NR or Form
are eliminated. The agreements will generally discussed above), or you temporarily transfer 1040NR–EZ and expect your income, number
make sure that social security taxes are paid your business activity to or from one of these of exemptions, and total deductions for 1999
only to one country. countries, you may be exempt from self- to be nearly the same, you should use your
Generally, under these agreements, you employment tax as a result of the agreement. 1999 return as a guide to complete the Esti-
will be subject to social security taxes only in To establish your exemption, you should write mated Tax Worksheet in the Form 1040–
the country where you are working. However, to the foreign agency to which you pay your ES(NR) instructions. If you did not file a return
if you are temporarily sent to work in another foreign social security tax if you are in the for 1999, or if your income, exemptions, de-
country and your pay would normally be foreign country. If you are in the United ductions, or credits will be different for 2000,
subject to social security taxes in both coun- States, write to the Social Security Adminis- you must estimate these amounts. Figure
tries, the agreement may provide that you can tration, Office of International Programs, P.O. your estimated tax liability using the Tax Rate
remain covered only by the social security Box 17741, Baltimore, MD 21235, for a de- Schedule in the 2000 Form 1040–ES(NR) in-
system of the country from which you were termination of your social security tax liability structions for your filing status.
sent. More information on any specific under the agreement.
agreement can be obtained by contacting the Self-employment income you receive Note. If you expect to be a resident of
U.S. Social Security Administration. while you are a resident alien is subject to Puerto Rico during the entire year, use Form
To establish that your pay is subject only self-employment tax even if it was paid for 1040–ES.
to foreign social security taxes and is exempt services you performed as a nonresident al-
from U.S. social security taxes (including the ien. When to pay estimated tax. Make your first
Medicare tax) as a result of an agreement, estimated tax payment by the due date for
you or your employer should request a state- Example. Bill Jones is an author engaged filing the previous year's Form 1040NR or
ment from the appropriate agency of the for- in the business of writing books. Bill had Form 1040NR–EZ. If you have wages sub-
eign country. This will usually be the same several books published in a foreign country ject to the same withholding rules that apply
agency to which you or your employer pay while he was a citizen and resident of that to U.S. citizens, you must file Form 1040NR
your foreign social security taxes. The foreign country. During 1999, Bill entered the United or Form 1040NR–EZ and make your first es-
agency will be able to tell you what informa- States as a resident alien. After becoming a timated tax payment by April 17, 2000. If you
tion is needed for them to issue the state- U.S. resident, he continued to receive royal- do not have wages subject to withholding, file
ment. Your employer should keep a copy of ties from his foreign publisher. Bill reports his your income tax return and make your first
the statement because it may be needed to income and expenses on the cash basis (he estimated tax payment by June 15, 2000.
show why you are exempt from U.S. social reports income on his tax return when re- If your first estimated tax payment is due
security taxes. ceived and deducts expenses when paid). April 17, 2000, you can pay your estimated
You or your employer will need to request Bill's 1999 self-employment income includes tax in full at that time, or in equal installments
a statement from the foreign agency if you the royalties received after he became a U.S. by April 17, 2000, June 15, 2000, September
are working in a foreign country and would resident even though the books were pub- 15, 2000, and January 16, 2001. If your first
normally be subject to U.S. social security lished while he was a nonresident alien. payment is not due until June 15, 2000, you
taxes, but are exempt as a result of an can pay your estimated tax in full at that time,
agreement. However, some of the countries Deduction for one-half of self-employment or 1/2 of your estimated tax by June 15, 2000,
with which the United States has agreements tax. If you must pay self-employment tax, you 1/4 of the tax by September 15, 2000, and 1/4

will not issue statements in these cases. can deduct one-half of the self-employment by January 16, 2001.
Page 40 Chapter 8 Paying Tax Through Withholding or Estimated Tax
Fiscal year. If your return is not on a Useful Items Total compensation ................................... $24,100
calendar year basis, your due dates are the You may want to see: Less: Personal exemption ......................... 2,750
15th day of the 4th, 6th, and 9th months of
your fiscal year, and the 1st month of the fol- Taxable income ....................................... $21,350
lowing fiscal year. If any date falls on a Sat-
urday, Sunday, or legal holiday, use the next Publication Tax determined by graduated rate ( Tax
day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal Table column for single taxpayers) ........... $3,206
holiday.  901 U.S. Tax Treaties Plus: Tax on gross dividends ($1,400 ×
30%) ........................................................... 420
Changes in income, deductions, or ex- Tax determined as though treaty had
emptions. Even if you are not required to Form (and Instructions) not come into effect ............................... $3,626
make an estimated tax payment in April or
June, your circumstances may change such Arthur's tax liability, figured by taking into
 1040NR U.S. Nonresident Alien Income account the reduced rate on dividend income
that you will have to make estimated tax
payments later. This can happen if you re- Tax Return as provided by the tax treaty, is $3,416, de-
ceive additional income or if any of your de- termined as follows:
 1040NR–EZ U.S. Income Tax Return for
ductions are reduced or eliminated. If so, see
the instructions for Form 1040–ES(NR) and Certain Nonresident Aliens With Tax determined by graduated rate (same
Publication 505 for information on figuring No Dependents as figured above) ....................................... $3,206
your estimated tax. Plus: Tax on gross dividends ($1,400 ×
 8833 Treaty-Based Return Position
Disclosure Under Section 6114 15%) ........................................................... 210
Amended estimated tax. If, after you have or 7701(b) Tax on compensation and dividends ... $3,416
made estimated tax payments, you find your
estimated tax is substantially increased or See chapter 12 for information about get- His tax liability, therefore, is limited to
decreased because of a change in your in- ting these publications and forms. $3,416, the tax liability figured using the tax
come or exemptions, you should adjust your treaty rate on the dividends.
remaining estimated tax payments. To do
this, see the instructions for Form
1040–ES(NR) and Publication 505.
Treaty Income
Penalty for failure to pay estimated income
tax. You will be subject to a penalty for A nonresident alien's treaty income is the
gross income on which the tax is limited by
Some Typical Tax
underpayment of installments of estimated
tax except in certain situations. These situ- a tax treaty. Treaty income includes, for ex-
ample, dividends from sources in the United
Treaty Benefits
ations are explained on Form 2210, Under-
payment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, States that are subject to tax at a tax treaty Some general information follows concerning
Estates, and Trusts. rate not to exceed 15%. Nontreaty income is possible tax treaty benefits for income from
the gross income other than treaty income of certain activities in the United States. How-
a nonresident alien. ever, tax treaty benefits also cover such in-
Figure the tax on treaty income on each come as dividends, interest, rentals, royalties,
separate item of income at the reduced rate pensions, and annuities. If you are a resident
that applies to that item under the terms of the of a treaty country and receive this type of
treaty. income, you should consult the applicable
To determine tax on nontreaty income, treaty. See Table 9–1, Table of Tax Treaties,
9. figure a partial tax on nontreaty income either
at the flat 30% rate or the graduated rate,
for a list of treaty countries. Get Publication
901 for more information on tax treaties.
depending upon whether or not the income is The following provisions give a general
Tax Treaty effectively connected with your trade or busi-
ness in the United States.
explanation of some benefits found in many
tax treaties. The conditions for claiming the
exemptions vary under each tax treaty. You
Benefits Your tax liability is the sum of the tax on
treaty income plus the partial tax on nontreaty should read the treaty for your country of
income, but cannot be more than the tax li- residence to find out what the conditions are.
ability figured as if the tax treaty had not come
into effect.
Personal Services
Introduction Example. Arthur Banks is a nonresident
alien who is single and a resident of a foreign Nonresident aliens from treaty countries who
If you are a nonresident alien from a country country that has a tax treaty with the United are in the United States for a short stay and
with which the United States has an income States. He received gross income of $25,500 also meet certain other requirements may be
tax treaty, you may qualify for certain benefits. during the tax year from sources within the exempt from tax on their compensation re-
Most treaties require that the alien be a resi- United States, consisting of the following ceived for personal services performed in the
dent of the treaty country to qualify. However, items: United States. Many tax treaties require that
some treaties require that the alien be a na- the nonresident alien claiming this exemption
tional or a citizen of the treaty country. be present in the United States for a total of
Dividends on which the tax is limited to a
You can generally arrange to have with- 15% rate by the tax treaty ......................... $1,400 not more than 183 days during the tax year.
holding tax reduced or eliminated on wages Other tax treaties specify different periods of
and other income that is eligible for tax treaty Compensation for personal services on maximum presence in the United States, such
benefits. See Income Entitled to Tax Treaty which the tax is not limited as 180 days or 90 days. Spending part of a
Benefits in chapter 8. by the tax treaty ......................................... 24,100 day in the United States counts as a day of
Total gross income $25,500 presence.
Tax treaties may also require that:
Topics Arthur was engaged in business in the
This chapter discusses: United States during the tax year. His divi-
dends are not effectively connected with that 1) The compensation cannot be more than
business. He has no deductions other than a specific amount (frequently $3,000),
• Typical tax treaty benefits and
his own personal exemption.
• How to obtain copies of tax treaties His tax liability, figured as though the tax
treaty had not come into effect, is $3,626, 2) The individual have a foreign employer;
• How to claim tax treaty benefits on your determined as follows: that is, an individual, corporation, or en-
tax return tity of a foreign country.
Chapter 9 Tax Treaty Benefits Page 41
1) A reduction or modification in the taxa- to get exemption of their governmental wages
For Teachers tion of gain or loss from the disposition from U.S. income tax:
and Professors of a U.S. real property interest based on
Nonresident alien teachers or professors who a treaty. 1) By a provision in a tax treaty or consular
are residents of certain treaty countries and convention between the United States
2) A change to the source of an item of in- and their country, or
who temporarily visit the United States for the come or a deduction based on a treaty.
primary purpose of teaching at a university 2) By meeting the requirements of U.S. tax
or other accredited educational institution are law.
not subject to U.S. income tax on compen- 3) A credit for a specific foreign tax for
sation received for teaching for the first 2 or which foreign tax credit would not be al-
Employees of international organizations
3 years after their arrival in the United States. lowed by the Internal Revenue Code.
can only exempt their wages by meeting the
Many treaties also provide exemption for en- requirements of U.S. tax law.
gaging in research. You must also file Form 8833 if you re-
ceive payments or income items totaling more The exemption discussed in this chapter
Generally, the teacher or professor must applies only to pay received for services per-
be in the United States primarily to teach, than $100,000 and you determine your
country of residence under a treaty and not formed for a foreign government or interna-
lecture, instruct, or engage in research. A tional organization. Other U.S. income re-
substantial part of that person's time must be under the rules for residency discussed ear-
lier in this publication. ceived by persons who qualify for this
devoted to those duties. The normal duties exemption may be fully taxable or given fa-
of a teacher or professor include not only These are the more common situations for
which Form 8833 is required. vorable treatment under an applicable tax
formal classroom work involving regularly treaty provision. The proper treatment of this
scheduled lectures, demonstrations, or other kind of income (interest, dividends, etc.) is
student-participation activities, but also the Exceptions. You do not have to file Form discussed, earlier, in this publication.
less formal method of presenting ideas in 8833 for any of the following situations.
seminars or other informal groups and in joint
efforts in the laboratory. 1) You claim a reduced rate of withholding
tax under a treaty on interest, dividends,
rent, royalties, or other fixed or determi- Exemption
For Employees of nable annual or periodic income ordi-
Foreign Governments narily subject to the 30% rate. Under Tax Treaty
All treaties have provisions for the exemption 2) You claim a treaty reduces or modifies If you are from a country that has a tax treaty
of income earned by certain employees of the taxation of income from dependent with the United States, you should first look
foreign governments. However, a difference personal services, pensions, annuities, at the treaty to see if there is a provision that
exists among treaties as to who qualifies for social security and other public pen- exempts your income. The income of U.S.
this benefit. Under many treaties, aliens ad- sions, or income of artists, athletes, stu- citizens and resident aliens working for for-
mitted to the United States for permanent dents, trainees, or teachers. This in- eign governments usually is not exempt.
residence do not qualify. Under most treaties, cludes taxable scholarship and However, in a few instances, the income of
aliens who are not nationals or subjects of the fellowship grants. a U.S. citizen with dual citizenship may qual-
foreign country do not qualify. Employees of ify. Often the exemption is limited to the in-
3) You claim a reduction or modification of come of persons who also are nationals of the
foreign governments should read the perti- taxation of income under an International
nent treaty carefully to determine whether foreign country involved.
Social Security Agreement or a Diplo-
they qualify for benefits. Chapter 10 of this matic or Consular Agreement.
publication also has information for employ- Resident aliens from France. The United
ees of foreign governments. 4) You are a partner in a partnership or a States and France have come to an agree-
beneficiary of an estate or trust and the ment to relieve double taxation of U.S. per-
partnership, estate, or trust reports the manent residents who receive wages and
For Students, Apprentices, required information on its return. pensions for governmental services per-
formed for the government of France. Gen-
and Trainees 5) The payments or items of income that erally, this income is taxable in the United
Students, apprentices, and trainees generally are otherwise required to be disclosed States and France. However, the United
are exempt from tax on remittances (including total no more than $10,000. States will allow a credit for taxes paid to
scholarship and fellowship grants) received France on this income.
from abroad for study and maintenance. Penalty for failure to provide required in-
Also, under certain circumstances, a limited formation on Form 8833. If you are required
amount of compensation received by stu- to report the treaty benefits but do not, you
dents, apprentices, and trainees may be ex- are subject to a penalty of $1,000 for each
empt from tax. failure. Exemption Under
U.S. Tax Law
Capital Gains Employees of foreign governments who do
Most treaties provide for the exemption of not qualify under a tax treaty provision and
gains from the sale or exchange of personal employees of international organizations may
property. Generally, gains from the sale or
exchange of real property located in the 10. qualify for exemption by meeting the following
requirements of U.S. tax law.
United States is taxable.
The exemption under U.S. tax law
Employees ! applies only to current employees and
CAUTION not to former employees. Pensions

Reporting Treaty of Foreign received by former employees living in this


country do not qualify for exemption.

Benefits Claimed Governments Employees of foreign governments. If you


If you claim treaty benefits that override or
modify any provision of the Internal Revenue
and are not a U.S. citizen, or if you are a U.S.
citizen but also a citizen of the Philippines,
Code, and by claiming these benefits your tax
is, or might be, reduced, you must attach a International and you work for a foreign government in the
United States, your foreign government salary
fully completed Form 8833 to your tax return. is exempt from U.S. tax if you perform ser-
See Exceptions, below, for the situations Organizations vices similar to those performed by U.S.
where you are not required to file Form 8833. Government employees in that foreign coun-
You must file a U.S. tax return and Form Employees of foreign governments (in- try and that foreign government grants an
8833 if you claim the following treaty benefits. cluding foreign municipalities) have two ways equivalent exemption.
Page 42 Chapter 10 Employees of Foreign Governments and International Organizations
Table 9-1. Table of Tax Treaties (Updated through December 31, 1999)
Applicable Treasury
Official Text General Explanations or
Country Symbol1 Effective Date Citation Treasury Decision (T.D.)

Australia TIAS 10773 Dec. 1, 1983 1986-2 C.B. 220 1986-2 C.B. 246
Austria TIAS Jan. 1, 1999
Barbados TIAS 11090 Jan. 1, 1984 1991-2 C.B. 436 1991-2 C.B. 466
Protocol TIAS Jan. 1, 1994
Belgium TIAS 7463 Jan. 1, 1971 1973-1 C.B. 619
Protocol TIAS 11254 Jan. 1, 1988
2
Canada TIAS 11087 Jan. 1, 1985 1986-2 C.B. 258 1987-2 C.B. 298
Protocol TIAS Jan. 1, 1996
China, People’s Republic of TIAS Jan. 1, 1987 1988-1 C.B. 414 1988-1 C.B. 447
Commonwealth of
3
Independent States TIAS 8225 Jan. 1, 1976 1976-2 C.B. 463 1976-2 C.B. 475
Cyprus TIAS 10965 Jan. 1, 1986 1989-2 C.B. 280 1989-2 C.B. 314
Czech Republic TIAS Jan. 1, 1993
Denmark TIAS 1854 Jan. 1, 1948 1950-1 C.B. 77 T.D. 5692, 1949-1 C.B. 104;
T.D. 5777, 1950-1 C.B. 76
Egypt TIAS 10149 Jan. 1, 1982 1982-1 C.B. 219 1982-1 C.B. 243
Finland TIAS Jan. 1, 1991
France TIAS Jan. 1, 1996
Germany TIAS Jan. 1, 19904
Greece TIAS 2902 Jan. 1, 1953 1958-2 C.B. 1054 T.D. 6109, 1954-2 C.B. 638
Hungary TIAS 9560 Jan. 1, 1980 1980-1 C.B. 333 1980-1 C.B. 354
Iceland TIAS 8151 Jan. 1, 1976 1976-1 C.B. 442 1976-1 C.B. 456
India TIAS Jan. 1, 1991
Indonesia TIAS 11593 Jan. 1, 1990
Ireland TIAS Jan. 1, 1998
Israel TIAS Jan. 1, 1995
Italy TIAS 11064 Jan. 1, 1985 1992-1 C.B. 442 1992-1 C.B. 473
Jamaica TIAS 10207 Jan. 1, 1982 1982-1 C.B. 257 1982-1 C.B. 291
Japan TIAS 7365 Jan. 1, 1973 1973-1 C.B. 630 1973-1 C.B. 653
Kazakstan TIAS Jan. 1, 1996
Korea, Republic of TIAS 9506 Jan. 1, 1980 1979-2 C.B. 435 1979-2 C.B. 458
Luxembourg TIAS 5726 Jan. 1, 1964 1965-1 C.B. 615 1965-1 C.B. 642
Mexico TIAS Jan. 1, 1994 1994-2 C.B. 424 1994-2 C.B. 489
Protocol TIAS Oct. 26, 1995
Morocco TIAS 10195 Jan. 1, 1981 1982-2 C.B. 405 1982-2 C.B. 427
Netherlands TIAS Jan. 1, 1994
New Zealand TIAS 10772 Nov. 2, 1983 1990-2 C.B. 274 1990-2 C.B. 303
Norway TIAS 7474 Jan. 1, 1971 1973-1 C.B. 669 1973-1 C.B. 693
Protocol TIAS 10205 Jan. 1, 1982 1982-2 C.B. 440 1982-2 C.B. 454
Pakistan TIAS 4232 Jan. 1, 1959 1960-2 C.B. 646 T.D. 6431, 1960-1 C.B. 755
Philippines TIAS 10417 Jan. 1, 1983 1984-2 C.B. 384 1984-2 C.B. 412
Poland TIAS 8486 Jan. 1, 1974 1977-1 C.B. 416 1977-1 C.B. 427
Portugal TIAS Jan. 1, 1996
Romania TIAS 8228 Jan. 1, 1974 1976-2 C.B. 492 1976-2 C.B. 504
Russia TIAS Jan. 1, 1994
Slovak Republic TIAS Jan. 1, 1993
South Africa TIAS Jan. 1, 1998
Spain TIAS Jan. 1, 1991
Sweden TIAS Jan. 1, 1996
Switzerland TIAS Jan. 1, 1998
Thailand TIAS Jan. 1, 1998
Trinidad and Tobago TIAS 7047 Jan. 1, 1970 1971-2 C.B. 479
Tunisia TIAS Jan. 1, 1990
Turkey TIAS Jan. 1, 1998
United Kingdom TIAS 9682 Jan. 1, 1975 1980-1 C.B. 394 1980-1 C.B. 455

1
(TIAS)—Treaties and Other International Act Series.
2
Information on the treaty can be found in Publication 597, Information on the United States—Canada Income Tax Treaty.
3
The U.S.—U.S.S.R. income tax treaty applies to the countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,
Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
4
The general effective date for the area that was the German Democratic Republic is January 1, 1991.

Chapter 10 Employees of Foreign Governments and International Organizations Page 43


Certification. To qualify for the ex-
emption under U.S. tax law, the foreign gov-
ernment for which you work must certify to the
11. Aliens Not Required
Department of State that you are their em-
ployee and that you perform services similar To Obtain Sailing
to those performed by employees of the
United States in your country. However, see Departing Aliens or Departure Permits
Aliens who keep immigrant status, later, for If you are included in one of the following
a special rule that may affect your qualifying
for this exemption.
and the Sailing categories, you do not have to get a sailing
or departure permit before leaving the United
or Departure States.
(1) Representatives of foreign govern-
Employees of international organizations.
If you work for an international organization
Permit ments with diplomatic passports, whether ac-
credited to the United States or other coun-
in the United States and your are not a U.S. tries, members of their households, and
citizen (or you are a U.S. citizen but are also servants accompanying them.
a citizen of the Philippines), your salary from Servants who are leaving, but not with a
that organization is exempt from U.S. tax. person with a diplomatic passport, must get
An international organization is an or- Introduction a sailing or departure permit. However, they
ganization designated by the President of the Before leaving the United States, all aliens can get a sailing or departure permit on Form
United States through Executive Order to (except those listed under Aliens Not Re- 2063 without examination of their income tax
qualify for the privileges, exemptions, and quired To Obtain Sailing or Departure Per- liability by presenting a letter from the chief
immunities provided in the International Or- mits) must obtain a certificate of compliance. of their diplomatic mission certifying that:
ganizations Immunities Act. This document, also popularly known as the
Aliens should find out if they have been sailing permit or departure permit, is part 1) Their name appears on the “White List”
made known to, and have been accepted by, of the income tax form you must file before (a list of employees of diplomatic
the Secretary of State as officers or employ- leaving. You will receive a sailing or departure missions), and
ees of that organization, or if they have been permit after filing a Form 1040–C or Form
designated by the Secretary of State, before 2063. These forms are discussed in this 2) They do not owe to the United States
formal notification and acceptance, as pro- chapter. any income tax, and will not owe any tax
spective officers or employees. up to and including the intended date of
Employees of an international organiza- departure.
tion claiming exemption should know the Topics
number of the Executive Order covering their This chapter discusses:
The statement must be presented to an
organization and should have some written IRS office.
evidence of their acceptance or designation • Who needs a sailing permit (2) Employees of international organiza-
by the Secretary of State. • How to get a sailing permit tions and foreign governments (other than
The exemption is denied when, because diplomatic representatives exempt under cat-
the Secretary of State determines the alien's • Forms you file to get a sailing permit egory (1)) and members of their households:
presence in the United States is no longer
desirable, an employee leaves the United
1) Whose compensation for official services
States (or after a reasonable time allowed for Useful Items is exempt from U.S. tax under U.S. tax
leaving the United States). The exemption is You may want to see: laws (described in chapter 10), and
also denied when a foreign country does not
allow similar exemptions to U.S. citizens. 2) Who receive no other income from U.S.
Then the Secretary of State can withdraw the Form (and Instructions)
sources.
privileges, exemptions, and immunities from  1040–C U.S. Departing Alien Income
the nationals of that foreign country. (3) Alien students, industrial trainees, and
Tax Return
exchange visitors, including their spouses
 2063 U.S. Departing Alien Income Tax and children, who enter on an “F–1,” “F–2,”
Aliens who keep immigrant status. Aliens Statement “H–3,” “H–4,” “J–1,” “J–2,” or “Q” visa only
who file the waiver provided by section 247(b) and who receive no income from U.S.
See chapter 12 for information about get-
of the Immigration and Nationality Act to keep sources while in the United States under
ting these forms.
their immigrant status no longer qualify for the those visas other than:
exemption from U.S. tax under U.S. tax law
from the date of filing the waiver with the At-
torney General. 1) Allowances to cover expenses incident
However, the following aliens do not lose Aliens Required To to study or training in the United States,
such as expenses for travel, mainte-
the exemption if they file the waiver.
Obtain Sailing or nance, and tuition,

• Aliens who are exempt from U.S. tax by


an income tax treaty, consular agree-
Departure Permits 2) The value of any services or food and
lodging connected with this study or
ment, or international agreement be- You generally must pay all U.S. income tax training,
tween the United States and their coun- due on your income subject to U.S. tax during
the tax year up to the date you leave when 3) Income from employment authorized by
try.
you file for your sailing or departure permit. the Immigration and Naturalization Ser-
• Aliens who work for an international or- Any taxes due for past years will also have vice (INS), or
ganization if the international agreement to be paid. However, in some situations, if
creating the international organization you can demonstrate to the Internal Revenue 4) Certain interest income that is not effec-
provides that alien employees are exempt Service that your departure does not endan- tively connected with a U.S. trade or
from U.S. income tax. Two international ger the collection of tax, you can receive a business. (See Interest in chapter 3.)
organizations that have such a provision sailing or departure permit without paying tax
are the International Monetary Fund at that time. (4) Alien students, including their spouses
(IMF) and the International Bank for Re- If you try to leave the United States with- and children, who enter on an “M–1” or
construction and Development (World out a sailing or departure permit, and cannot “M–2” visa only and who receive no income
Bank). show that you qualify to leave without it, you from U.S. sources while in the United States
may be subject to an income tax examination on those visas, other than:
by an IRS employee at the point of departure.
You must then complete the necessary in- 1) Income from employment authorized by
come tax returns and statements and, ordi- the Immigration and Naturalization Ser-
narily, pay any taxes due. vice (INS), or
Page 44 Chapter 11 Departing Aliens and the Sailing or Departure Permit
2) Certain interest income that is not effec- When to get a sailing or departure permit. the period for filing the income tax return
tively connected with a U.S. trade or You should get your sailing or departure per- for that year has not expired.
business. (See Interest in chapter 3.) mit at least 2 weeks before you plan to leave.
You cannot apply earlier than 30 days before 2) Resident aliens who have received tax-
(5) Certain other aliens temporarily in the your planned departure date. Do not wait until able income during the tax year or pre-
United States who have received no taxable the last minute in case there are unexpected ceding year and whose departure will not
income during the tax year up to and including problems. hinder the collection of any tax. How-
the date of departure or during the preceding ever, if the IRS has information indicating
tax year. If the IRS has reason to believe that Papers to submit. Getting your sailing or that the aliens are leaving to avoid pay-
an alien has received income subject to tax departure permit will go faster if you bring to ing their income tax, they must file a
and that the collection of income tax is jeop- the IRS office papers and documents related Form 1040–C.
ardized by departure, it may then require the to your income and your stay in the United
alien to obtain a sailing or departure permit. States. Bring the following records with you Aliens in either of these categories who
Aliens covered by this paragraph are: if they apply. have not filed an income tax return or paid
income tax for any tax year must file the re-
1) Alien military trainees who enter the 1) Your passport and alien registration card turn and pay the income tax before they can
United States for training under the or visa. be issued a sailing or departure permit on
sponsorship of the Department of De- Form 2063.
fense and who leave the United States 2) Copies of your U.S. income tax returns The sailing or departure permit detached
on official military travel orders, filed for the past 2 years. If you were in from Form 2063 can be used for all depar-
the United States for less than 2 years, tures during the current year. However, the
2) Alien visitors for business on a “B–1” bring the income tax returns you filed for
visa, or on both a “B–1” visa and a“ IRS may cancel the sailing or departure per-
that period. mit for any later departure if they believe the
B–2” visa, who do not remain in the
United States or a U.S. possession for 3) Receipts for income taxes paid on these collection of income tax is jeopardized by that
more than 90 days during the tax year, returns. later departure.

3) Alien visitors for pleasure on a “B–2” 4) Receipts, bank records, canceled


visa, checks, and other documents that prove Form 1040–C. If you must get a sailing or
your deductions, business expenses, departure permit and you do not qualify to file
4) Aliens in transit through the United Form 2063, you must file Form 1040–C.
and dependents claimed on your returns.
States or any of its possessions on a Ordinarily, all income received or reason-
“C–1” visa, or under a contract, such as ably expected to be received during the tax
a bond agreement, between a transpor- 5) A statement from each employer show- year up to and including the date of departure
tation line and the Attorney General, and ing wages paid and tax withheld from must be reported on Form 1040–C and the
5) Aliens who enter the United States on a January 1 of the current year to the date tax on it must be paid. When you pay any tax
border-crossing identification card; or for of departure if you were an employee. If shown as due on the Form 1040–C, and you
whom passports, visas, and border- you were self-employed, you must bring file all returns and pay all tax due for previous
crossing identification cards are not re- a statement of income and expenses up years, you will receive a sailing or departure
quired, if they are visitors for pleasure, to the date you plan to leave. permit. However, the IRS may permit you to
or visitors for business who do not re- furnish a bond or an employer letter guaran-
6) Proof of estimated tax payments for the
main in the United States or a U.S. pos- teeing payment instead of paying the taxes
past year and this year.
session for more than 90 days during the for certain years. See Bond or Employer Let-
tax year; or if they are in transit through 7) Documents showing any gain or loss ter To Ensure Payment, discussed later. The
the United States or any of its pos- from the sale of personal property, in- sailing or departure permit issued under the
sessions. cluding capital assets and merchandise. conditions in this paragraph is only for the
specific departure for which it is issued.
(6) Alien residents of Canada or Mexico If you submit an employer letter guaran-
8) Documents relating to scholarship or teeing payment of tax with your Form
who frequently commute between that coun-
fellowship grants including verification of 1040–C, you do not need to fill out the form
try and the United States for employment, and
the grantor, source, and purpose of the in detail. Just fill out the identifying information
whose wages are subject to the withholding
grant. on the form, check the “Yes” box on line A,
of U.S. tax.
If you are in one of these categories and 9) Documents indicating you qualify for any sign it, and attach the letter. The IRS office
do not have to get a sailing or departure per- special tax treaty benefits claimed. where you submit the form will then issue
mit, you must be able to support your claim your sailing or departure permit.
for exemption with proper identification or give
the authority for the exemption. Returning to the United States. If you fur-
nish the IRS with information showing, to the
Exceptions. If you are an alien in category
(1) or (2), above, who filed the waiver under
Forms To File satisfaction of the IRS, that you intend to re-
turn to the United States and that your de-
section 247(b) of the Immigration and If you must get a sailing or departure permit,
parture does not jeopardize the collection of
Nationality Act, you must get a sailing or de- you must file Form 2063 or Form 1040–C.
income tax, you can get a sailing or departure
parture permit. This is true even though you Employees in the IRS office can assist in filing
permit by filing Form 1040–C without having
filed the waiver and your income is exempt these forms. Both forms have a “certificate
to pay the tax shown on it. You must, how-
from U.S. tax because of an income tax of compliance” section. When the certificate
ever, file all income tax returns that have not
treaty, consular agreement, or international of compliance is signed by an agent of the
yet been filed as required, and pay all income
agreement. District Director, it certifies that your U.S. tax
tax that is due on these returns.
obligations have been satisfied according to
Your Form 1040–C must include all in-
available information. Your Form 1040–C
come received and reasonably expected to
copy of the signed certificate, or the one de-
be received during the entire year of depar-
tached from Form 2063, is your sailing or
Getting a Sailing departure permit.
ture. The sailing or departure permit issued
with this Form 1040–C can be used for all
or Departure Permit Form 2063. This is a short form that asks for
departures during the current year. However,
The following discussion covers when and the Service may cancel the sailing or depar-
certain information but does not include a tax ture permit for any later departure if the pay-
where to get your sailing permit. computation. The following departing aliens ment of income tax appears to be in jeopardy.
can get their sailing or departure permits by
Where to get a sailing or departure permit. filing Form 2063.
It is advisable for aliens who have been Joint return on Form 1040–C. Departing
working in the United States to get the permit 1) Aliens, whether resident or nonresident, husbands and wives who are nonresident al-
from an IRS office in the area of their em- who have had no taxable income for the iens cannot file joint returns. However, if both
ployment, but it also can be obtained from an tax year up to and including the date of spouses are resident aliens, they can file a
IRS office in the area of their departure. departure and for the preceding year, if joint return on Form 1040–C if:
Chapter 11 Departing Aliens and the Sailing or Departure Permit Page 45
1) Both spouses can reasonably be ex- • Asking tax questions. Call the IRS with
pected to qualify to file a joint return at You can order free publications and forms, your tax questions at 1–800–829–1040.
the normal close of their tax year, and ask tax questions, and get more information
from the IRS in several ways. By selecting the • TTY/TDD equipment. If you have access
2) The tax years of the spouses end at the to TTY/TDD equipment, call 1–800–829–
same time. method that is best for you, you will have
quick and easy access to tax help. 4059 to ask tax questions or to order
forms and publications.
Free tax services. To find out what services • TeleTax topics. Call 1–800–829–4477 to
are available, get Publication 910, Guide to listen to pre-recorded messages covering
Bond or Employer Free Tax Services. It contains a list of free tax various tax topics.
publications and an index of tax topics. It also
Letter To Ensure describes other free tax information services, Evaluating the quality of our telephone
including tax education and assistance pro- services. To ensure that IRS representatives
Payment grams and a list of TeleTax topics. give accurate, courteous, and professional
Usually, you must pay the tax shown as due answers, we evaluate the quality of our tele-
on Form 1040–C when you file it. However, Personal computer. With your per- phone services in several ways.
if you pay all taxes due that you owe for prior sonal computer and modem, you can
years, you can furnish a bond or an employer access the IRS on the Internet at • A second IRS representative sometimes
letter guaranteeing payment instead of paying www.irs.gov. While visiting our web site, you monitors live telephone calls. That person
the income taxes shown as due on the Form can select: only evaluates the IRS assistor and does
1040–C or the tax return for the preceding not keep a record of any taxpayer's name
year if the period for filing that return has not • Frequently Asked Tax Questions (located or tax identification number.
expired. under Taxpayer Help & Ed) to find an- • We sometimes record telephone calls to
The bond must equal the tax due plus in- swers to questions you may have. evaluate IRS assistors objectively. We
terest to the date of payment as figured by the hold these recordings no longer than one
• Forms & Pubs to download forms and
IRS. Information about the form of bond and week and use them only to measure the
publications or search for forms and
security on it can be obtained from your IRS quality of assistance.
publications by topic or keyword.
office.
• Fill-in Forms (located under Forms & • We value our customers' opinions.
Pubs) to enter information while the form Throughout this year, we will be survey-
is displayed and then print the completed ing our customers for their opinions on
Paying Taxes and form. our service.

Obtaining Refunds • Tax Info For You to view Internal Reve-


nue Bulletins published in the last few
Except when a bond or an employer letter is years.
furnished, or the IRS is satisfied that your Walk-in. You can walk in to many
departure does not jeopardize the collection • Tax Regs in English to search regulations post offices, libraries, and IRS offices
of income tax, you must pay all tax shown as and the Internal Revenue Code (under to pick up certain forms, instructions,
due on the Form 1040–C at the time of filing United States Code (USC)). and publications. Also, some libraries and IRS
it. If the tax computation on Form 1040–C • Digital Dispatch and IRS Local News Net offices have:
results in an overpayment, there is no tax to (both located under Tax Info For Busi-
pay at the time you file that return. However, ness) to receive our electronic newslet- • An extensive collection of products avail-
the IRS cannot provide a refund at the time ters on hot tax issues and news. able to print from a CD-ROM or photo-
of departure. If you are due a refund, you copy from reproducible proofs.
must file either Form 1040NR or Form • Small Business Corner (located under
1040NR–EZ at the end of the tax year. Tax Info For Business) to get information • The Internal Revenue Code, regulations,
on starting and operating a small busi- Internal Revenue Bulletins, and Cumula-
ness. tive Bulletins available for research pur-
poses.
Filing Annual U.S. You can also reach us with your computer
using File Transfer Protocol at ftp.irs.gov.
Income Tax Returns
Form 1040–C is not an annual U.S. income
tax return. If an income tax return is required
by law, that return must be filed even though Mail. You can send your order for
a Form 1040–C has already been filed. TaxFax Service. Using the phone forms, instructions, and publications
Chapters 5 and 7 discuss filing an annual attached to your fax machine, you can to the Distribution Center nearest to
U.S. income tax return. The tax paid with receive forms and instructions by you and receive a response within 10 work-
Form 1040–C should be taken as a credit calling 703–368–9694. Follow the directions days after your request is received. Find the
against the tax liability for the entire tax year from the prompts. When you order forms, address that applies to your part of the
on your annual U.S. income tax return. enter the catalog number for the form you country.
need. The items you request will be faxed to
you. • Western part of U.S.:
Western Area Distribution Center
Rancho Cordova, CA 95743–0001
• Central part of U.S.:
12. Phone. Many services are available Central Area Distribution Center
by phone. P.O. Box 8903
Bloomington, IL 61702–8903
How To Get • Eastern part of U.S. and foreign ad-
• Ordering forms, instructions, and publi-
More cations. Call 1–800–829–3676 to order
dresses:
Eastern Area Distribution Center
current and prior year forms, instructions, P.O. Box 85074
Information and publications. Richmond, VA 23261–5074

Page 46 Chapter 12 How To Get More Information


Appendix A

This appendix contains the postgraduate or professional de- States as a recipient of a grant,
statements nonresident alien
People's Republic gree from a recognized educa- allowance, or award from
students must file with Form of China tional institution. [insert the name of the
8233, Exemption From With- I was a resident of the People's nonprofit organization or govern-
holding on Compensation for In- Republic of China on the date of ment institution providing the
dependent (and Certain De- my arrival in the United States. I Egypt grant, allowance, or award].
pendent) Personal Services of a am not a U.S. citizen. I have not I was a resident of Egypt on the I will receive compensation
Nonresident Alien Individual, to been lawfully accorded the privi- date of my arrival in the United for dependent personal services
claim a tax treaty exemption from lege of residing permanently in States. I am not a U.S. citizen. I performed in the United States.
withholding of tax on compen- the United States as an immi- have not been lawfully accorded This compensation qualifies for
sation for dependent personal grant. the privilege of residing perma- exemption from withholding of
services. For treaty countries not I am present in the United nently in the United States as an federal income tax under the tax
listed, attach a statement in a States solely for the purpose of immigrant. treaty between the United States
format similar to those for other my education or training. I am temporarily present in and the Federal Republic of
treaties. See chapter 8 for more I will receive compensation the United States for the primary Germany in an amount not in
information on withholding. for personal services performed purpose of studying at excess of $5,000 for any tax
in the United States. This com- [insert the name of the university year, provided that such services
pensation qualifies for exemption or other recognized educational are performed for the purpose
from withholding of federal in- institution at which you study]. of supplementing funds other-
Belgium, Iceland, come tax under the tax treaty I will receive compensation wise available for my mainte-
Japan, Korea, between the United States and for personal services performed nance, education, or training.
the People's Republic of China in the United States. This com- I arrived in the United States
Norway, Poland, in an amount not in excess of pensation qualifies for exemption on [insert the date of
and Romania $5,000 for any tax year. from withholding of federal in- your last arrival in the United
I arrived in the United States come tax under the tax treaty States before beginning study at
I was a resident of [insert on [insert the date of between the United States and the U.S. educational institution].
the name of the country under your last arrival in the United Egypt in an amount not in excess The treaty exemption is available
whose treaty you claim States before beginning study or of $3,000 for any tax year. I have only for compensation paid dur-
exemption] on the date of my training]. I am claiming this ex- not previously claimed an in- ing a period of four tax years
arrival in the United States. I am emption only for such period of come tax exemption under that beginning with the tax year that
not a U.S. citizen. I have not time as is reasonably necessary treaty for income received as a includes my arrival date.
been lawfully accorded the privi- to complete the education or teacher, researcher, or student
lege of residing permanently in training. before the date of my arrival in
the United States as an immi- the United States. Indonesia
grant. I will be present in the United I was a resident of Indonesia on
I am temporarily present in Cyprus States only for such period of the date of my arrival in the
the United States for the primary time as may be reasonably or
purpose of studying at I was a resident of Cyprus on the United States. I am not a U.S.
date of my arrival in the United customarily required to citizen. I have not been lawfully
[insert the name of the university effectuate the purpose of this
or other recognized educational States. I am not a U.S. citizen. I accorded the privilege of residing
have not been lawfully accorded visit. permanently in the United States
institution at which you study]. I arrived in the United States
I will receive compensation the privilege of residing perma- as an immigrant.
nently in the United States as an on [insert the date of I am temporarily present in
for personal services performed your last arrival in the United
in the United States. This com- immigrant. the United States solely for the
I am temporarily present in States before beginning study at purpose of study at
pensation qualifies for exemption the U.S. educational institution].
from withholding of federal in- the United States for the primary [insert the name of the university
purpose of studying at The treaty exemption is available or other accredited educational
come tax under the tax treaty only for compensation paid dur-
between the United States and [insert the name of the university institution at which you study];
or other recognized educational ing a period of five tax years be- or, I am temporarily present in
[insert the name of the ginning with the tax year that in-
country under whose treaty you institution at which you study]. the United States as a recipient
I will receive compensation cludes my arrival date, and for of a grant, allowance or award
claim exemption] in an amount such period of time as is neces-
not in excess of $2,000 for any for personal services performed from [insert the name of
in the United States. This com- sary to complete, as a full-time the nonprofit organization or
tax year. I have not previously student, educational require-
claimed an income tax ex- pensation qualifies for exemption government institution providing
from withholding of federal in- ments as a candidate for a post- the grant, allowance, or award]
emption under this treaty for in- graduate or professional degree
come received as a teacher, re- come tax under the tax treaty for the primary purpose of study,
between the United States and from a recognized educational research, or training.
searcher, or student before the institution.
date of my arrival in the United Cyprus in an amount not in ex- I will receive compensation
States. cess of $2,000 for any tax year. for services performed in the
I have not previously claimed an United States. This compen-
I will be present in the United
income tax exemption under that Germany sation qualifies for exemption
States only for such period of
time as may be reasonably or treaty for income received as a I was a resident of the Federal from withholding of federal in-
customarily required to student before the date of my Republic of Germany on the date come tax under the tax treaty
effectuate the purpose of this arrival in the United States. of my arrival in the United States. between the United States and
visit. I arrived in the United States I am not a U.S. citizen. I have Indonesia in an amount not in
I arrived in the United States on [insert the date of not been lawfully accorded the excess of $2,000 for my tax year,
on [insert the date of your last arrival in the United privilege of residing permanently provided such services are per-
your last arrival in the United States before beginning study at in the United States as an immi- formed in connection with my
States before beginning study at the U.S. educational institution]. grant. studies or are necessary for my
the U.S. educational institution]. The treaty exemption is available I am temporarily present in maintenance.
The treaty exemption is available only for compensation paid dur- the United States as a student I arrived in the United States
only for compensation paid dur- ing a period of five tax years be- or business apprentice for the on [insert the date of
ing a period of five tax years be- ginning with the tax year that in- purpose of full-time study or your last arrival in the United
ginning with the tax year that in- cludes my arrival date, and for training at [insert the States before beginning study at
cludes my arrival date. such additional period of time as name of the accredited univer- the U.S. educational institution].
is necessary to complete, as a sity, college, school or other ed- The treaty exemption is available
full-time student, educational re- ucational institution]; or, I am only for compensation paid dur-
quirements as a candidate for a temporarily present in the United ing a period of five tax years be-
Page 47
ginning with the tax year that in- pensation qualifies for exemption I am temporarily present in for any tax year. I have not pre-
cludes my arrival date. from withholding of federal in- the United States for the primary viously claimed an income tax
come tax under the tax treaty purpose of studying or training exemption under this treaty for
between the United States and at [insert the name of the income received as a teacher,
Pakistan in an amount not in ex- university or other accredited researcher, or student before the
Morocco cess of $5,000 for any tax year. educational institution at which date of my arrival in the United
I was a resident of Morocco on you study or train]; or, I am tem- States.
porarily present in the United I will be present in the United
the date of my arrival in the Philippines States as a recipient of a grant, States only for such period of
United States. I am not a U.S. I was a resident of the
citizen. I have not been lawfully allowance, or award from time as may be reasonably or
Philippines on the date of my [insert the name of the customarily required to
accorded the privilege of residing arrival in the United States. I am
permanently in the United States nonprofit organization or govern- effectuate the purpose of this
not a U.S. citizen. I have not ment institution providing the visit.
as an immigrant. been lawfully accorded the privi-
I am temporarily present in grant, allowance, or award]. I arrived in the United States
lege of residing permanently in I will receive compensation on [insert the date of
the United States for the primary the United States as an immi-
purpose of studying at for services performed in the your last arrival in the United
grant. United States. This compen- States before beginning study at
[insert the name of the university I am temporarily present in
or other recognized educational sation qualifies for exemption the U.S. educational institution].
the United States for the primary from withholding of federal in- The treaty exemption is available
institution at which you study]. purpose of studying at
I will receive compensation come tax under the tax treaty only for compensation paid dur-
[insert the name of the university between the United States and ing a period of five tax years.
for personal services performed or other recognized educational
in the United States. This com- Spain in an amount not in excess
institution at which you study]. of $5,000 for any tax year.
pensation qualifies for exemption I will receive compensation
from withholding of federal in- I arrived in the United States
come tax under the tax treaty
for personal services performed on [insert the date of Tunisia
in the United States. This com- your last arrival in the United
between the United States and pensation qualifies for exemption I was a resident of Tunisia on the
Morocco in an amount not in ex- States before beginning study at date of my arrival in the United
from withholding of federal in- the U.S. educational institution].
cess of $2,000 for any tax year. come tax under the tax treaty States. I am not a U.S. citizen. I
I have not previously claimed an The treaty exemption is available have not been lawfully accorded
between the United States and only for compensation paid dur-
income tax exemption under that the Philippines in an amount not the privilege of residing perma-
treaty for income received as a ing a period of five tax years be- nently in the United States as an
in excess of $3,000 for any tax ginning with the tax year that in-
student before the date of my year. I have not previously immigrant.
arrival in the United States. cludes my arrival date. I am temporarily present in
claimed an income tax ex-
I arrived in the United States emption under that treaty for in- the United States for the purpose
on [insert the date of come received as a teacher, re- of full-time study, training, or re-
your last arrival in the United search at [insert the
States before beginning study at
searcher, or student before the Trinidad and name of the university or other
date of my arrival in the United
the U.S. educational institution]. States. Tobago accredited educational institution
The treaty exemption is available I will be present in the United at which you study, train, or per-
I was a resident of Trinidad and
only for compensation paid dur- States only for such period of form research].
Tobago on the date of my arrival
ing a period of five tax years, time as may be reasonably or I will receive compensation
in the United States. I am not a
beginning with the tax year that customarily required to for services performed in the
U.S. citizen. I have not been
includes my arrival date. effectuate the purpose of this United States. This compen-
lawfully accorded the privilege
visit. sation qualifies for exemption
of residing permanently in the
I arrived in the United States from withholding of federal in-
United States as an immigrant.
on [insert the date of come tax under the tax treaty
Pakistan I am temporarily present in
your last arrival in the United between the United States and
the United States for the primary
I am a resident of Pakistan. I am States before beginning study at Tunisia in an amount not in ex-
purpose of studying at
not a U.S. citizen. I have not the U.S. educational institution]. cess of $4,000 for any tax year.
[insert the name of the university
been lawfully accorded the privi- The treaty exemption is available I arrived in the United States
or other accredited educational
lege of residing permanently in only for compensation paid dur- on [insert the date of
institution at which you study].
the United States as an immi- ing a period of five tax years be- your last arrival in the United
I will receive compensation
grant. ginning with the tax year that in- States before beginning study at
for personal services performed
I am temporarily present in cludes my arrival date. the U.S. educational institution].
in the United States. This com-
the United States solely as a The treaty exemption is available
pensation qualifies for exemption
student at [insert the only for compensation paid dur-
from withholding of federal in-
name of the recognized univer- Spain come tax under the tax treaty
ing a period of five tax years be-
sity, college, or school in the I was a resident of Spain on the ginning with the tax year that in-
between the United States and
United States at which you date of my arrival in the United cludes my arrival date.
Trinidad and Tobago in an
study]. States. I am not a U.S. citizen. I amount not in excess of $2,000
I will receive compensation have not been lawfully accorded
for personal services performed the privilege of residing perma-
in the United States. This com- nently in the United States as an
immigrant.

Page 48
Appendix B

This appendix contains the I have accepted an invitation under the tax treaty between the Any research I perform will
statements nonresident alien by the U.S. government, or by a United States and the People's not be undertaken primarily for
teachers and researchers must university or other recognized Republic of China. I have not the benefit of a private person
file with Form 8233, Exemption educational institution in the previously claimed an income tax or commercial enterprise of the
From Withholding on Compen- United States, to come to the exemption under that treaty for United States or a foreign trade
sation for Independent (and United States for the purpose of income received as a teacher, organization of [insert
Certain Dependent) Personal teaching or engaging in research lecturer, researcher, or student name of C.I.S. member], unless
Services of a Nonresident Alien at [insert the name of the before the date of my arrival in the research is conducted on the
Individual, to claim a tax treaty educational institution], which is the United States. basis of intergovernmental
exemption from withholding of a recognized educational institu- Any research I perform will agreements on cooperation.
tax on compensation for de- tion. I will receive compensation be undertaken in the public in- I arrived in the United States
pendent personal services. For for my teaching or research ac- terest and not primarily for the on [insert the date of
treaty countries not listed, attach tivities. private benefit of a specific per- your last arrival in the United
a statement in a format similar to The teaching or research son or persons. States before beginning the
those for other treaties. See compensation received during I arrived in the United States teaching, research, or confer-
chapter 8 for more information the entire tax year (or during the [insert the date of your ence services for which ex-
on withholding. portion of the year from last arrival in the United States emption is claimed]. The treaty
to ) qualifies for exemption before beginning your teaching, exemption is available only for
from withholding of federal tax lecturing, or research activities]. compensation received during a
Denmark and under the tax treaty between the The treaty exemption is available period of two years beginning on
United States and [insert only for compensation received that date.
Pakistan the name of the country under during a maximum aggregate
I am a resident of [insert whose treaty you claim period of three years.
the name of the country under exemption]. I have not previously
whose treaty you claim claimed an income tax ex- Egypt, Hungary,
exemption]. I am not a U.S. citi- emption under this treaty for in- Korea,
zen. I have not been lawfully ac- come received as a teacher, re- Commonwealth of
corded the privilege of residing searcher, or student before the Independent States Philippines, Poland,
permanently in the United States date of my arrival in the United and Romania
as an immigrant. States. (except Kazakstan
I am a professor or teacher Any research I perform will I was a resident of [insert
visiting the United States for the be undertaken in the public in-
and Russia) the name of the country under
purpose of teaching at terest and not primarily for the I am a resident of [insert whose treaty you claim
[insert the name of the educa- private benefit of a specific per- name of C.I.S. member]. I am not exemption] on the date of my
tional institution at which you son or persons. a U.S. citizen. I have not been arrival in the United States. I am
teach], which is a recognized I arrived in the United States lawfully accorded the privilege not a U.S. citizen. I have not
educational institution. I will re- on [insert the date of of residing permanently in the been lawfully accorded the privi-
ceive compensation for my your last arrival in the United United States as an immigrant. lege of residing permanently in
teaching activities. States before beginning the I have accepted an invitation the United States as an immi-
The teaching compensation teaching or research services for by a governmental agency or in- grant.
received during the entire tax which the exemption is claimed]. stitution in the United States, or I have accepted an invitation
year (or during the period from The treaty exemption is available by an educational or scientific by the U.S. government (or by a
to ) qualifies for ex- only for compensation received research institution in the United political subdivision or local au-
emption from withholding of fed- during a period of two years be- States, to come to the United thority thereof), or by a university
eral tax under the tax treaty be- ginning on that date. States for the purpose of teach- or other recognized educational
tween the United States and ing, engaging in research, or institution in the United States for
[insert the name of the participating in scientific, techni- a period not expected to exceed
country under whose treaty you cal, or professional conferences two years for the purpose of
claim exemption]. I have not People's Republic at [insert the name of the teaching or engaging in research
previously claimed an income tax of China governmental agency or institu- at [insert the name of the
exemption under this treaty for tion, educational or scientific in- educational institution], which is
I was a resident of the People's stitution, or organization spon- a recognized educational institu-
income received as a teacher or
Republic of China on the date of soring a professional tion. I will receive compensation
student before the date of my
my arrival in the United States. I conference], which is a govern- for my teaching or research ac-
arrival in the United States.
am not a U.S. citizen. I have not mental agency or institution, an tivities.
I arrived in the United States
been lawfully accorded the privi- educational or scientific institu- The teaching or research
on [insert the date of
lege of residing permanently in tion, or an organization sponsor- compensation received during
your last arrival into the United
the United States as an immi- ing a professional conference. I the entire tax year (or for the
States before beginning the
grant. will receive compensation for my portion of the year from
teaching services for which ex-
I am visiting the United States teaching, research, or confer- to ) qualifies for exemption
emption is claimed]. The treaty
for the purpose of teaching, giv- ence activities. from withholding of federal tax
exemption is available only for
ing lectures, or conducting re- The teaching, research, or under the tax treaty between the
compensation paid during a pe-
search at [insert the conference compensation re- United States and [insert
riod of two years beginning on
name of the educational institu- ceived during the entire tax year the name of the country under
that date.
tion or scientific research institu- (or during the period from whose treaty you claim
tion at which you teach, lecture, to ) qualifies for exemption exemption]. I have not previously
or conduct research], which is
Belgium and Japan an accredited educational insti-
from withholding of federal tax claimed an income tax ex-
under the tax treaty between the emption under this treaty for in-
I was a resident of [insert tution or scientific research insti- United States and the former come received as a teacher, re-
the name of the country under tution. I will receive compen- Union of Soviet Socialist Repub- searcher, or student before the
whose treaty you claim the sation for my teaching, lecturing, lics. I have not previously date of my arrival in the United
exemption] on the date of my or research activities. claimed an income tax ex- States.
arrival in the United States. I am The teaching, lecturing, or emption under that treaty for in- Any research I perform will
not a U.S. citizen. I have not research compensation received come received as a teacher, re- be undertaken in the public in-
been lawfully accorded the privi- during the entire tax year (or searcher, conference participant, terest and not primarily for the
lege of residing permanently in during the period from or student before the date of my private benefit of a specific per-
the United States as an immi- to ) qualifies for exemption arrival in the United States. son or persons.
grant. from withholding of federal tax
Page 49
I arrived in the United States I am a professor or teacher treaty exemption is available only States before beginning the
on [insert the date of visiting the United States for the for compensation received dur- teaching or research services for
your last arrival in the United purpose of teaching at ing a period of two years begin- which the exemption is claimed].
States before beginning the [insert the name of the other ed- ning on that date. The treaty exemption is available
teaching or research services for ucational institution at which you only for compensation paid dur-
which exemption is claimed]. The teach], which is an educational ing a period of two years begin-
treaty exemption is available only institution. I will receive compen- India ning on that date.
for compensation received dur- sation for my teaching activities. I was a resident of India on the Any research I perform will
ing a period of two years begin- The teaching compensation date of my arrival in the United be undertaken in the public in-
ning on that date. received during the entire tax States. I am not a U.S. citizen. I terest and not primarily for the
year (or during the period from have not been lawfully accorded private benefit of a specific per-
to ) qualifies for ex- the privilege of residing perma- son or persons.
Germany emption from withholding of fed- nently in the United States as an
eral tax under the tax treaty be- immigrant.
I am a resident of the Federal tween the United States and I am visiting the United States Italy
Republic of Germany. I am not Greece. I have not previously for the purpose of teaching or I was a resident of Italy on the
a U.S. citizen. I have not been claimed an income tax ex- conducting research at date of my arrival in the United
lawfully accorded the privilege emption under that treaty for in- [insert the name of the university, States. I am not a U.S. citizen. I
of residing permanently in the come received as a teacher or college, or other recognized ed- have not been accorded the
United States as an immigrant. student before the date of my ucational institution]. I will re- privilege of residing permanently
I am a professor or teacher arrival in the United States. ceive compensation for my in the United States as an immi-
visiting the United States for the I arrived in the United States teaching or study activities. grant.
purpose of advanced study, on [insert the date of The teaching or research I am a professor or teacher
teaching, or research at your last arrival in the United compensation received during visiting the United States for the
[insert the name of the accred- States before beginning the the entire tax year (or during the purpose of teaching or perform-
ited university, college, school, teaching services for which ex- period from to ) ing research at [insert
or other educational institution, emption is claimed]. The treaty for these activities qualifies for the name of the educational in-
or a public research institution exemption is available only for exemption from withholding of stitution or medical facility at
or other institution engaged in compensation received during a federal tax under the tax treaty which you teach or perform
research for the public benefit]. I period of three years beginning between the United States and research], which is an educa-
will receive compensation for my on that date. India. tional institution or a medical fa-
teaching, research, or study ac-
Any research I perform will cility primarily funded from gov-
tivities.
be undertaken in the public in- ernmental sources. I will receive
The compensation received Iceland and Norway terest and not primarily for the compensation for my teaching
during the entire tax year (or
I was a resident of [insert private benefit of a specific per- or research activities.
during the period from
the name of the country under son or persons. The compensation received
to ) for these activities
whose treaty you claim I arrived in the United States during the entire tax year (or
qualifies for exemption from
exemption] on the date of my on [insert the date of during the period from
withholding of federal tax under
arrival in the United States. I am your last arrival into the United to ) qualifies for exemption
the tax treaty between the United
not a U.S. citizen. I have not States before beginning the ser- from withholding of federal tax
States and the Federal Republic
been lawfully accorded the privi- vices for which the exemption is under the tax treaty between the
of Germany. I have not previ-
lege of residing permanently in claimed]. The treaty exemption United States and Italy. I have
ously claimed an income tax ex-
the United States as an immi- is available only for compen- not previously claimed an in-
emption under that treaty for in-
grant. sation paid during a period of two come tax exemption under that
come received as a student,
I have accepted an invitation years beginning on that date. treaty for income received as a
apprentice, or trainee during the
by the U.S. government, or by a teacher, researcher, or student
immediately preceding period.
university or other recognized before the date of my arrival in
(If, however, following the period Indonesia
educational institution in the the United States.
in which the alien claimed bene-
United States for a period not I was a resident of Indonesia on Any research I perform will
fits as a student, apprentice, or
expected to exceed two years for the date of my arrival in the be undertaken in the general in-
trainee, that person returned to
the purpose of teaching or en- United States. I am not a U.S. terest and not primarily for the
the Federal Republic of Germany
gaging in research at citizen. I have not been lawfully private benefit of a specific per-
and resumed residence and
[insert the name of the educa- accorded the privilege of residing son or persons.
physical presence before return-
tional institution], which is a rec- permanently in the United States I arrived in the United States
ing to the United States as a
ognized educational institution. I as an immigrant. on [insert the date of
teacher or researcher, that per-
will receive compensation for my I have accepted an invitation your last arrival in the United
son may claim the benefits of this
teaching or research activities. by [insert the name of States before beginning the
treaty.)
The teaching or research the university, college, school, teaching or research services for
Any research I perform will
compensation qualifies for ex- or other similar educational which exemption is claimed]. The
be undertaken in the public in-
emption from withholding of fed- institution] to come to the United treaty exemption is available only
terest and not primarily for the
eral tax under the tax treaty be- States solely for the purpose of for compensation received dur-
private benefit of a specific per-
tween the United States and teaching or engaging in research ing a period of two years begin-
son or persons.
[insert the name of the at that educational institution. I ning on that date.
I arrived in the United States
on [insert the date of country under whose treaty you will receive compensation for my
your last arrival into the United claim exemption]. I have not teaching or research activities.
States before beginning the ser- previously claimed an income tax The teaching or research Jamaica
vices for which the exemption is exemption under this treaty for compensation received during I was a resident of Jamaica on
claimed]. The treaty exemption income received as a teacher, the entire tax year (or during the the date of my arrival in the
is available only for compen- researcher, or student before the period from to ) United States. I am not a U.S.
sation paid during a period of two date of my arrival in the United qualifies for exemption from citizen. I have not been lawfully
years beginning on that date. States. withholding of federal tax under accorded the privilege of residing
Any research I perform will the tax treaty between the United permanently in the United States
not be undertaken primarily for States and Indonesia. I have not as an immigrant.
the private benefit of a specific previously claimed an income tax I am visiting the United States
Greece person or persons. exemption under that treaty for for the purpose of teaching or
I am a resident of Greece. I am I arrived in the United States income received as a teacher or conducting research for a period
not a U.S. citizen. I have not on [insert the date of researcher before the date not expected to exceed two
been lawfully accorded the privi- your last arrival in the United specified in the next paragraph. years at [insert the name
lege of residing permanently in States before beginning the I arrived in the United States of the educational institution at
the United States as an immi- teaching or research services for on [insert the date of which you teach or conduct
grant. which exemption is claimed]. The your arrival into the United research], which is a recognized
Page 50
educational institution. I will re- the entire tax year (or during the educational institution approved I am a professor or teacher
ceive compensation for my period from to ) qual- by an appropriate governmental visiting the United States for a
teaching or research activities. ifies for exemption from with- education authority. No agree- period of not more than two
The teaching or research holding of federal tax under the ment exists between the gov- years for the purpose of teaching
compensation received during tax treaty between the United ernment of the United States and or engaging in research at
the entire tax year (or during the States and Luxembourg. I have the government of Trinidad and [insert the name of the
period from to ) qual- not previously claimed an in- Tobago for the provision of my educational institution], which is
ifies for exemption from with- come tax exemption under that services. I will receive compen- a recognized educational institu-
holding of federal tax under the treaty for income received as a sation for my teaching or re- tion. I will receive compensation
tax treaty between the United teacher, researcher, or student search services. for my teaching or research ac-
States and Jamaica. I have not before the date of my arrival in The teaching or research tivities.
previously claimed an income tax the United States. compensation received during The teaching or research
exemption under that treaty for Any research I perform will the entire tax year (or for the compensation received during
income received as a teacher, not be carried on for the benefit period from to ) qual- the entire tax year (or during the
researcher, or student before the of any person using or dissem- ifies for exemption from with- period from to ) qual-
date of my arrival in the United inating the results for purposes holding of federal tax under the ifies for exemption from with-
States. of profit. tax treaty between the United holding of federal tax under the
I arrived in the United States I arrived in the United States States and Trinidad and Tobago. tax treaty between the United
on [insert the date of on [insert the date of I have not previously claimed an States and the United Kingdom.
your last arrival in the United your last arrival in the United income tax exemption under that I have not previously claimed an
States before beginning the States before beginning the treaty for income received as a income tax exemption under that
teaching or research services for teaching or research services for teacher, researcher, or student treaty for income received as a
which exemption is claimed]. The which exemption is claimed]. The before the date of my arrival in teacher, researcher, or student
treaty exemption is available only treaty exemption is available only the United States. before the date of my arrival in
for compensation paid during a for compensation received dur- Any research I perform will the United States.
period of two years beginning on ing a period of two years begin- be undertaken in the public in- Any research I perform will
that date. ning on that date. terest and not primarily for the be undertaken in the public in-
private benefit of a specific per- terest and not primarily for the
son or persons. benefit of any private person or
Luxembourg I arrived in the United States persons.
I am a resident of Luxembourg. Trinidad and on [insert the date of I arrived in the United States
I am not a U.S. citizen. I have your last arrival in the United on [insert the date of
not been lawfully accorded the Tobago States before beginning the your last arrival in the United
privilege of residing permanently I was a resident of Trinidad and teaching or research services for States before beginning the
in the United States as an immi- Tobago on the date of my arrival which exemption is claimed]. The teaching or research services for
grant. in the United States. I am not a treaty exemption is available only which exemption is claimed]. The
I have accepted an invitation U.S. citizen. I have not been for compensation received dur- treaty exemption is available only
by [insert the name of lawfully accorded the privilege ing a period of two years begin- for compensation received dur-
the educational institution where of residing permanently in the ning on that date. ing a period of two years begin-
you teach or engage in United States as an immigrant. ning on that date. The entire
research], which is a recognized I have accepted an invitation treaty exemption is lost
educational institution, to come by the U.S. government, or by a United Kingdom retroactively if my stay in the
to the United States for the pur- university or other educational I was a resident of the United United States exceeds two
pose of teaching or engaging in institution in the United States, Kingdom on the date of my ar- years.
research at that institution. I will to come to the United States for rival in the United States. I am
receive compensation for my the purpose of teaching or en- not a U.S. citizen. I have not
teaching or research activities. gaging in research at been accorded the privilege of
The teaching or research [insert the name of the educa- residing permanently in the
compensation received during tional institution], which is an United States as an immigrant.

Page 51
Index

Expatriates ................................. 18 Nonresident alien: Sales or exchanges, capital as-


A Expatriation tax .......................... 18 Annuity income ..................... 14 sets ....................................... 17
American Samoa, residents Business expenses .............. 21 Scholarships and fellowship
of .................................... 10, 25 Casualty and theft losses ..... 23 grants ................................... 14
Assistance (See More information) Charitable contributions ....... 23 Self-employment tax .................. 40
F Child care credit ................... 24 Social security benefits ....... 17, 26
Filing requirements .................... 33
Child tax credit ..................... 24 Social security tax:
Filing returns:
C Amended returns .................. 34
Credit for excess social secu-
rity tax withheld ............... 25
Foreign students and ex-
change visitors ................ 39
Capital assets, sales or ex- Claims for refund .................. 34
changes ................................ 17 Credit for income tax International agreements ..... 40
Commonwealth of the Northern
Casualty and theft losses .......... 23 withheld ........................... 25 Self-employment tax ............ 40
Mariana Islands ............... 34
Charitable contributions ............. 23 Credit for prior year minimum Totalization agreements ....... 40
Dual-status taxpayer ............ 27
Community income .................... 12 tax ................................... 24 Source of income ...................... 10
Estimated tax ....................... 40
Contingent interest .................... 13 Defined ................................... 3 Standard deduction ................... 23
Form 1040NR ................. 20, 33
Credits against tax: Earned income credit ........... 24 State and local income taxes .... 23
Form 1040NR–EZ .......... 20, 33
Child care credit ............. 24, 26 Education credits .................. 24 Substantial presence test ............ 4
Form 1040–C ....................... 45
Child tax credit ............... 24, 27 Effectively connected income,
Form 2063 ............................ 45
Credit for the elderly ............ 27 tax on .............................. 17
Guam .................................... 34
Earned income credit ........... 24 Filing Form 1040NR ............. 20 T
Nonresident alien ................. 20
Education credits ............ 24, 27 Filing Form 1040NR–EZ ...... 20 Tax credits and payments:
Virgin Islands ........................ 34
Excess social security tax Foreign tax credit ................. 24 Nonresident aliens ............... 24
Who must file ....................... 33
withheld ........................... 25 Head of household ............... 20 Resident aliens ..................... 24
First-year choice .......................... 8
Foreign tax credit ........... 24, 27 How income is taxed ............ 15 Tax help (See More information)
Foreign governments, employees
Hope credit ..................... 24, 27 Individual retirement arrange- Tax treaties:
of .......................................... 42
Lifetime learning credit ... 24, 27 ments .............................. 21 Benefits ................................ 41
Forms:
Regulated investment com- Interest income ..................... 10 Capital gains ........................ 42
1040NR ................................ 33
pany credit ...................... 25 Job expenses ....................... 23 Employees of foreign govern-
1040NR–EZ .......................... 33
Tax withheld at source ......... 25 Joint return ........................... 20 ments .............................. 42
1040–C ................................. 45
Tax withheld on partnership Losses .................................. 21 Exclusions from income ....... 14
1040–ES(NR) ....................... 40
income ............................. 25 Married filing separately ....... 20 Reporting benefits claimed .. 42
2063 ..................................... 45
Withholding from wages ....... 25 Miscellaneous deductions .... 23 Teachers and professors ..... 42
8840 ....................................... 7
Moving expenses ................. 21 Trainees, students, and ap-
8843 ....................................... 6
Personal exemptions ............ 22 prentices .......................... 42
Free tax services ....................... 46
Qualifying widow(er) ............. 20 Taxpayer identification number . 21
D Regulated investment com- Trade or business, U.S.:
Dividends, U.S. source income . 10 pany credit ...................... 25 Beneficiary of estate or trust 15
Dual status aliens ........................ 7 G Standard deduction .............. 23 Business operations ............. 15
Dual-status tax year: Green card test ........................... 3 State and local income taxes 23 Income from U.S. sources ... 15
Child care credit ................... 26 Tax withheld at source ......... 25 Partnerships ......................... 15
Computation of tax ............... 26 Travel expenses ................... 23 Personal services ................. 15
Credit for the elderly ............ 27 Withholding from partnership
Exemptions ........................... 26 H income ............................. 25
Students and trainees .......... 15
Head of household: Trading in stocks, securities,
Foreign tax credit ................. 27 Withholding tax ..................... 34
Nonresident alien ................. 20 and commodities ............. 15
Forms to file ......................... 27 Nonresident spouse .................... 9
Resident alien ...................... 20 Transportation tax ..................... 18
Head of household. .............. 26
Illustration of return .............. 27 Help (See More information) Travel expenses ........................ 23
TTY/TDD information ................ 46
Income subject to tax ........... 26
Joint return ........................... 26 P
Pensions .................................... 16
Residency ending date .......... 7 I
Residency starting date ......... 7 Identification number, taxpayer . 21
Personal services ...................... 41
Portfolio interest ........................ 13
U
Restrictions ........................... 26 Income from U.S. sources: U.S. national .................. 20, 26, 35
Standard deduction .............. 26 Publications (See More information)
Dividends .............................. 10
Tax rates .............................. 26 Puerto Rico, residents of ..... 10, 25
Interest ................................. 10
When and where to file ........ 27 Pensions and annuities ........ 11 W
Personal property ................. 12 What, when, and where to file .. 33
Personal services ................. 11 R Who must file ............................ 33
E Real property ........................ 12 Railroad retirement benefits 17, 26 Withholding tax:
Effectively connected income: Rents or royalties ................. 11 Real property income ................ 18 Allowance for personal ex-
Foreign income .................... 17 International organizations, em- Refunds, claims for ................... 34 emption ........................... 36
Investment income ............... 15 ployees of ............................. 42 Resident alien: Central withholding agree-
Pensions ............................... 16 Itemized deductions .................. 22 Child tax credit ..................... 24 ments .............................. 36
Real property gain or loss .... 16 Defined ................................... 3 Notification of alien status .... 35
Real property income choice 18 Education credits .................. 24 Pensions ............................... 35
Head of household ............... 20
Tax on .................................. 17 J Joint return ........................... 20
Puerto Rico, residents of ..... 37
Transportation income ......... 16 Job expenses ............................ 23 Real property sales .............. 38
Estimated tax ............................. 40 Qualifying widow(er) ............. 20 Residents of Canada, Mexico,
Joint return:
Exclusions from gross income: Nonresident alien ................. 20 Japan, or Korea .............. 36
Annuities ............................... 14 Scholarships and grants ...... 37
Compensation from a foreign S Social security taxes ............ 39
employer ......................... 14 Sailing permits, departing Tax treaty benefits ............... 38
Students and exchange
M aliens: Tip income ............................ 35
Miscellaneous deductions ......... 23 U.S. nationals ....................... 36
visitors ............................. 14 Aliens not requiring .............. 44
More information ....................... 46 Virgin Islands, residents of ... 37
Treaty income ................ 14, 41 Bond furnished, insuring tax
Moving expenses ...................... 21 Wages .................................. 35
Exemptions: payment .......................... 46
Dual-status taxpayer ............ 26 Form 1040–C ....................... 45 Withholding agreements ...... 36
Indian students and business Form 2063 ............................ 45 Withholding from compen-
apprentices ...................... 22 N Forms to file ......................... 45 sation ............................... 35
Nonresident alien ................. 22 National of the United When to get .......................... 45 
Resident alien ...................... 22 States ....................... 20, 26, 35 Where to get ........................ 45

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