[ksharma1978]

Hi Atlanta Expert and other members of this forum. This is my first post in this forum and I need help with some Tax questions.

Background
Indian citizen
Worked on F1/OPT for company X in Virginia - Feb 14 2005 - April 20, 2005
Worked on F1/OPT for company Y in California - May 2 2005 - Sep 30, 2005
Worked on H1B for company Y in California - Oct 1, 2005 - Dec 31, 2005

Forms I'm filing
Federal - 1040 NR EZ, 8843
State (VA) - 763
State (CA) - 540 NR

Questions
1. Do I need file separate 1040 NR EZ for Virginia and California Wages ? I hope NO, in that case Do I just add state wages and taxes etc. from both W2s and use them in the 1040 NR EZ ?

2. I have got a tax document (2005 Form 1099-INT, Interest Income) from my Bank in Calif of amount 27$. Do I need to show this amount in 1040 NR EZ or elsewhere ? If yes which box on the form do I show it in ?

3.Being an Indian Citizen I can claim "standard deduction allowed under US/India treaty article 21(2). Can you please tell me whether that amount is 5000 or 4850 ?

4. On side 2 of 1040 NR EZ there are some questions which seems quite hard to answer.

Some Background : I came for studies in US in 2004 on F1 Visa and finished studies in 2005 and then started working as full time employee. I went to India in 2006 for short visit and re-entered USA on H1B Visa.

Item C. Give the purpose of your visit to USA ?
Given these facts what should be the answer to this Question - STUDY?

Item D. Type of entry Visa
Will it be F1?

Item E. Date you entered USA ?
Will it be the 2004 date when I entered USA for this first time on F1
.My second and last entry in USA was in 2006.

5. Last question : My employers deducted SS Taxes and Medicare taxes while I was on OPT. Shall I ask for the refund of those taxes from employer and if they don't agree then ask IRS for the refund via Form 843 ?
Thanks in anticipation
Tinku

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

1) Combine the W-2s.

2) No; such interest is tax-free for a non-resident alien.

3) Yes, for $5,000.

4C) Attend school.

4D) F-1.

4E) Date you FIRST entered the USA.

5) Yes; ask the employer first and when he refuses, get it in writing.

[ksharma1978]

Thx sir, you rock!! Just a quick question : Regarding refund of SS and Medicare, does this refund request to IRS (if needed) need to be filed by April 17 too or is this a separate issue and hence can be handled after April 17 ? Thanks in advance.

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Separate issue; you can wait up to three years after today to file.