[gkataria]

Hi,

I came to US on L1 Visa from August 22 2009. I want to file my tax returns and my status is non resident for year 2009 and I have to file form 1040NR-EZ, which I understand correctly.

Now my question is there is a one clause in the instruction booklet for filing form 1040NR-EZ that indian student and business apprentices can claim standard deduction instead of itemized deduction on their tax return. I want to claim standard deduction of $5700 instead of the itemized deduction.

(see the text in instruction booklen in italics below)
Residents of India who were students or business apprentices may be able to take the standard deduction instead of their itemized deductions.
See Pub. 519 for details.

Can I claim standard deduction as non resident alien as I am an business apprentice from india?
Or am I belong to business apprentice from india category?

[MukatA]

You will file nonresident tax return if you are not married.
You do not get standard deductions-- only itemized deductions. You can claim moving expenses if not reimbursed by your employer. Your U.S. Tax Return: Moving Expenses

[Zoha]

Being an F1-opt student, can I claim for my Day-to-day Expenses Like my meal expenses, Mode of Commuting Expenses, Rent, etc...

[AtlantaTaxExpert]

No, you cannot claim these expenses. That is permitted only for someone here for business reasons, and then ONLY IF their stay is for LESS than one year.