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tclitant · Mar 18, 2008, 02:45 PM

Hello,

I began working for an NYC-based production company during May of 2006, I was a J1 visa holder. At the end of the year I filed my taxes using TurboTax and was refunded $1190. On December 31, 2007 I was approved for an L1A visa. Towards the end of 2007 I received a bonus of $1921.88 as well as a 10% pay-rise from 45000 to 50000 a year (I was still a J1 visa holder at the time). Although I only recently received my L1A visa, I have decided to return to Israel by this coming June.

1. Do I have to declare the bonus I received considering that I am not a US citizen and/or was a J1 visa holder at the time?

2. Does it change anything that I was a J1 visa holder until Dec 31, 2007 in terms of my tax refunds?

3. Considering that I worked for all of 2007 (unlike 2006), received the bonus and the 10% raise while on a J1, can I expect to receive a higher or lower tax refund than my 2006 tax refund of $1190?

4. What will I be needing to do in terms of tax refunds for the months that I will have worked in 2008 (presumably until mid-June when I plan to return to Israel).

If there is more information that I can provide, please ask me and I will respond promptly.

Thank you and looking forward to your suggestions,

Tal

AtlantaTaxExpert · May 2, 2008, 10:12 AM

1) Yes, you do have to claim the bonus on your taxes.

2) Probably.

3) Probably a LOWER tax refund, not cannot be sure without seeing your W-2.

4) You will need to file a dual-status return from Israel.

BTW, you filed INCORRECTLY for 2007 if you filed on-line or by using TurboTax, because you had to file a Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ, which CANNOT be filed on-line.