[j1taxreturn]

Hi everyone,
I have tax return issue which makes me very confusing and I was wondering if I can get a help from here.

Well,
I'm from South Korea and I was a visiting graduate student who came to US with J1 visa in 2002. I stayed from Jan 5, 2002 to Aug 9, 2002 and worked at UCSF (california).
Although I have received W-2 form and 1042-S form after I go back to Korea, I didn't know what those forms were for, so I didn't do anything with them.

Now I came back to US (texas) to study and all of a sudden I remember that unfiled tax return but I don't know where to start.

I have my W-2 form and 1042-S form with me.

On the W-2 form, I found nothing from 1-14
From16-19 I found numbers on each box.
16 state wages, tips, etc: 17619.5
17 state income tax: 589.46
18 local wages, tips, etc: 17619.5
19 local income tax: 158.58

On the 1042-S form,
I see that
2 gross income: 17619.5
6 exemtion code: 04
7 US federal tax withheld: 0
22 state income tax withheld: 589.46

I need any comments or suggestions regarding to this tax return filing.
Also, I'm wondering if I need to file state tax return also.

Thank you!

[MukatA]

Yes, you were required to file your federal tax return as nonresident (Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ with form 8843) as well state tax returns.

On federal tax return you will report income on 1042-S and claim the credit as per tax treaty. Your J-1 income as researcher is exempt from federal tax.

[j1taxreturn]

Thank you for the reply!

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

Do not bother filing for the refund.

It is well past the three year statute of limitation to claim refunds. You had until 15 April 2006 to file the 2002 return. Once you are past that deadline, you must show extraordinary circumstances to get any refund from the IRS.

[MukatA]

Yes, you will not get any refund, but if your income was more than the filing requirement, you must file your tax return.