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Home > Money & Services > Taxes   »   Participating in contests for H-4 visa

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Old Jul 7, 2009, 11:45 AM
an08
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Participating in contests for H-4 visa

I'm on H-4 visa and I partcipated in an online contest for instant prize but I won the first prize worth $3000.The Sponsor will send me the Tax form before the prize.my question is ..Is it legal to participate and win on H-4 visa?

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Old Jul 7, 2009, 01:11 PM   #2  
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Yes, it IS legal to claim the prize. Winning raffles or sweepstakes, trading stocks and bonds, getting paid a referral fee from your apartment compex are all activities permitted under your visa.

The only real restriction is that you cannot start a business nor can you work for someone else for pay.

Report the prize money on Line #21 of Form 1040 as "Sweepstakes winnings" and pay the appropriate taxes, and you should be fine.

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an08 agrees: Thank a lot
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Old Jul 7, 2009, 04:22 PM   #3  
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Thanks a lot for a valuable reply!!
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Old Jul 8, 2009, 11:22 AM   #4  
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Glad to help!
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