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    Miporing's Avatar
    Miporing Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jan 21, 2007, 07:45 PM
    OPT to H-1 Tax Return Form
    Hi,
    I was in OPT from March 06 to Sep 06, and changed my visa status to H-1 from Oct 06.
    It will be the first tax return, so please help me!

    1) Which form should I use, should I file two tax return as OPT and H-1?
    2) Can I claim lawyer fee that I paid to process my H-1 visa?
    3) I live and work in NYC, do I file tax return to NYC local? (because W-2 I received shows for federal, state and local.)

    Thank you!
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
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    #2

    Jan 21, 2007, 07:52 PM
    1) You file only ONE tax return. Now, which one (resident alien, non-resident alien or dual-status)? I suspect it will be non-resident alien.

    2) Maybe. How much did you pay the lawyer?

    3) Yes, you must file a NY state tax return regardless of what type of federal return you file.

    Questions:

    - Did you get paid on OPT under a W-2 or under a Form 1099-MISC?
    - What country are you from?
    - Are you married?
    Miporing's Avatar
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    #3

    Jan 21, 2007, 08:01 PM
    Dear Atlanta Tax Expert
    From my question,
    1) I'm not sure about this.
    I'm in NYC for whole year in 2006, so I think I am a resident alian.
    2) I paid about $1500 to my lawyer.

    For your question,
    1) I got paid on OPT under W-2(I've been in the same company when I was on OPT and H-1.)
    2) I'm from Japan.
    3) I'm single.

    Thanks for your help!
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
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    #4

    Jan 21, 2007, 08:12 PM
    How long you were in NYC is not relevant to whether you file as a resident alien or non-resident alien. What counts is your visa status and WHEN you converted from F-1 to H-1.

    Since you converted from F-1 to H-1 in Oct 2006, you do not meet the Substantial Presence Test in 2006. Your default filing status in this case is non-resident alien. You CAN file as dual-status, but there is no point in doing so, as a dual-status tax return is much more complex than a nonresident alien return.

    You should file Form 1040NR, because you want to itemize to claim the NY state and NYC taxes withheld from your income, plus the $1,500 you paid the lawyer for the H-1 visa as an employee business expense.

    You have a $2,000 treaty exemption under the Japan-U.S. Tax Treaty which exempts $2,000 of your income in 2006.

    If you need help filing this return, contact me at [email protected].
    Miporing's Avatar
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    #5

    Jan 21, 2007, 08:26 PM
    Thank you so much.
    I came to the U.S. in Aug 2002, so I understand I can file tax return as a non-resident alian.
    (Now I realize student wouldn't be a resident.)

    I have one more question.
    I've got 1099 from Citibank, and I saw tax was deducted from my interest income.
    (I've not submitted W-9 to the bank yet.)
    How can I claim the tax when I file tax return?
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
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    #6

    Jan 21, 2007, 08:34 PM
    If taxes were withheld for interest income paid, add`that withheld tax on Line 64 of Form 1040 (along with the withheld tax on W-2).
    Miporing's Avatar
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    #7

    Jan 22, 2007, 05:09 AM
    Dear Atlanta Tax Expert,

    Thanks for your big help!!
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
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    #8

    Jan 22, 2007, 10:30 PM
    Glad to help!
    Miporing's Avatar
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    #9

    Jan 23, 2007, 05:08 AM
    I have one more question,
    If I file 1040-NR, can I claim medical expense that I paid more than $1,000 to my doctors as itemized deduction?
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
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    #10

    Jan 23, 2007, 10:47 AM
    Negative. Medical expenses are NOT deductible for non-resident alien tax returns.
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    #11

    Jan 24, 2007, 07:15 AM
    Thank you so much, Atlanta Tax Expert!
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
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    #12

    Jan 24, 2007, 11:25 AM
    Glad to help!

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