Hi,

I am on F-1 visa and I received a sign on bonus before my CPT I-20 was processed. The reason is that my employer already had my bank account information and paid me the bonus as per the offer letter start date (and not the CPT start date). There's a gap of 9 days b/w my offer letter start date and CPT start date.

I asked my school and they say that they cannot change this date. Will I get into trouble due to this ? The bonus was tax deducted.

Thanks,
AZ

AZ:

As long as the bonus was paid in the same calendar year that you started the CPT AND the bonus is reflected on the 2007 W-2, there should be no problems.