I'm a UK citizen on a J-1 Visa. My wages were paid by the University of Chicago but I was only in the USA for about 20 days last tax year (and less than 180 for the last three and so I'm a non-resident). I believe that I don't need to pay taxes on my earning as I was outside the USA? Is that correct?

Thanks

Ross

When did you enter U.S. on J-1? And for what purpose? When did you depart?

I entered the US on a J-1 briefly (5 days) in Jan 2009 returning for about 15 days in December 2009

I changed institutions from Columbia to U Chicago to work abroad for the 2009 (post-doctoral scholar)

I entered the US on a J-1 briefly (5 days) in Jan 2009 returning for about 15 days in December 2009

I changed institutions from Columbia to U Chicago to work abroad for the 2009 (post-doctoral scholar)

You have no legal requirement to file given the number of days in the U.S. in 2009.

If no federal or state income taxes were withheld, you need not bother to file either a federal or state tax return.