Dear all,

I (Belgian citizen) am a J1 post-doctoral research associate working at the University of Washington since last summer. Up tntil now, I have not claimed exemption for federal tax withholding, presuming that if I don`t pay taxes here, I will have to back home, at a higher rate.

I want to file my taxes of last year, start doubting if this is the right thing to do, looking at discussion https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/advice/t-401299.html . If I claim tax exemption, will I never have to pay income tax for my first two years as a non-resident alien?

I see no retroactive tax provision in the U.S.-Belgium Tax Treaty, so you ARE exempt from ALL income taxes for the first 24 consecutive months you are in the United States, provided the University of Washington recognizes your J-1 as one for a "researcher" rather one for a student.

If you are considered a student, you get a $9,000 treaty exemption.

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