unlj1
Nov 29, 2010, 11:21 PM
I am wondering if you could give me best direction in my tax matter.
I am from India. I came to US in June 2008 on J-1 visa for postdoctoral research. Initially I thought, I would stay for less than 2 years. So, I took the tax treaty between US and India which exempts me to pay any tax. I filed the 2008 tax return, in which I didn't owe any tax (according to the treaty). However, at the time of filing 2009 tax return, I decided to extend my stay beyond two years, so I paid off the amount I owe for 2009 tax. ( I did not take the treaty for 2009.)
At that time I had very obscure knowledge about the tax system, and even after inquiry, I did not get a clear understanding. Now I understand that I need to pay off the 2008 taxes also, but I was unable to get a correct advice about this. Do I have to file an amended tax return? Do I have to pay any penalty and/or interest? Since it was not known to me that I'd stay more than 2 years, at the time of filing 2008 taxes, can this be a valid reason to ask for penalty/interest waiver? I have been delaying this all these days, in anticipation of getting correct advice.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
I am from India. I came to US in June 2008 on J-1 visa for postdoctoral research. Initially I thought, I would stay for less than 2 years. So, I took the tax treaty between US and India which exempts me to pay any tax. I filed the 2008 tax return, in which I didn't owe any tax (according to the treaty). However, at the time of filing 2009 tax return, I decided to extend my stay beyond two years, so I paid off the amount I owe for 2009 tax. ( I did not take the treaty for 2009.)
At that time I had very obscure knowledge about the tax system, and even after inquiry, I did not get a clear understanding. Now I understand that I need to pay off the 2008 taxes also, but I was unable to get a correct advice about this. Do I have to file an amended tax return? Do I have to pay any penalty and/or interest? Since it was not known to me that I'd stay more than 2 years, at the time of filing 2008 taxes, can this be a valid reason to ask for penalty/interest waiver? I have been delaying this all these days, in anticipation of getting correct advice.
Thanks in advance for your advice.