US DHSs only: Re: taxes

[AnHai Doan <anhai@cs.washington.edu>]

On Tue, 15 Apr 1997, Ha Van Vu wrote:

> Do you know how much exemption can we claim ? My guess is $2550. 
> (for non-resident)
> Is this correct ? Is there any way to get more ?? (:=)).

If you are single (I think you are despite your quite advanced age), then 
$2550 is the only exemption you can claim.

However, there are several ways to avoid paying much to Uncle Sam. 
Basically, there are three additional lines where you can try to enter
something to get your taxable income (and thus your tax) reduced: 

a) Line 25 of form 1040NR - moving expenses: try to figure out all your 
moving expenses using the form 3903 and enter the amount here.

b) Line 29 (same form as above) - fellowship grants excluded: enter here 
all your books, course-related expenses, tuition that can be deducted 
from your FELLOWSHIP or SCHOLARSHIP. 

c) Line 33 - itemized deductions: check schedule A, you can deduct 
"unreimbursed employee expenses" on line 9. This amount can be quite 
substantial if you went to conferences a lot last year. Also, DO NOT 
FORGET to enter your last year state tax (if any) into line 1 of Schedule 
A.

Hope this helps, though judging from your local time you won't have much 
more time to work on these things.

Also, remember to file forms 843 to get your soc. sec. and medicare money 
back if you were deducted last year for these.

Usually, the main post office in the city is open until midnight, and you 
have until then to file tax.

Try to avoid going to public copy facilities (like Kingkos) to make tax 
copies. They are probably pretty crowded by now.

Best of luck, 
Don't get auditted.
Don't go to jail.

Hai.