From: Danielle Clarizio
Date: May 15, 2020
Subject: Important Information for International Students who received a CARES Payment/Stimulus Check?



Hi First_Name,

This message is being sent to all students but specifically applies only to students have have recently received a stimulus check through the CARES Act. 

Please note that the Office of International Education does not have any staff who are qualified nonresident tax authorities. If you need assistance beyond the information contined in this message, please reach out to a nonresident tax specialist/service, such as Sprintax or GLACIER Tax Prep for assistance.

DID YOU RECEIVE A STIMULUS CHECK?

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US government introduced the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act.

In short, the CARES Act is a stimulus package which aims to support workers (earning less than $75,000 per year) with a one-time payment of $1,200. Taxpayers who have filed US tax returns in 2018 or 2019 have already begun to receive CARES payments. However Non-Resident tax filers are not eligible for this benefit. If you received a stimulus check, please read the following information very carefully as it contains important guidance on detemining your eligibility and how to return the money. 

WHO IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A CHECK?

CARES Act stimuluc checks can be claimed by US citizens, permanent residents and residents for tax purposes (individuals who can pass the Substantial Presence Test) who have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) and who have filed their 2018 tax return (in 2019), or their 2019 return (in 2020) and who will be considered a qualifying resident alien for the 2020 tax year.

F-1 and J-1 students who are nonresident aliens are not eligible to receive this stimulus. Very rarely an F-1 student is considered "resident for tax purposes" this is highly unlikely to be the case for you. 

IF I AM NOT ELIGIBLE, WHY DID I RECEIVE A CHECK?

You most likely received a check in error because you did not submit your taxes as a  nonresident. This will be the case is you filed your taxes using TurboTax or H&R Block which do not support non-resident tax filings. If you used one of these services, you most likely received a stimulus check and you will now need to take steps to amend (correct) your tax filing and return the check/money. If you filed incorrectly, it is important that you amend (correct) your previous tax returns for all incorrect years. If you are in this situation, you likely owe money to the US government.

If you used a service such as GLACIER or Sprintax, both of which are recommended by the OIE, then you most likely did not receive a stimulus check and, therefore, should not have an issue. 

HOW DO I CORRECT MY TAXES?

If you filed your taxes as a resident in error, don't worry, many people submit incorrect tax forms each year. Like them, you will need to file an amended tax return for each year that you filed incorrectly and pay any tax liability that you owe. 

Sprintax can provide this service even if you did not use them to make the original filing. More information can be found here.

HOW TO RETURN THE STIMULUS CHECK

It is important to return the stimulus payment if you believe that you received it in error.

You should return the payment separately to your amended return. In other words, the IRS is advising that you do not add the CARES payment to the check or electronic transfer you submit to cover your tax liability.

Instead you should follow the directions below.

If you received the payment as a paper check and have not yet cashed it:

  1. Write “Void” in the endorsement section on the back of the check.
  2. Mail the voided Treasury check immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
  3. Don’t staple, bend, or paper clip the check.
  4. Include a note stating the reason for returning the check.

If you received the payment as a paper check and cashed it, or if you received the payment as a direct deposit:

  1. Submit a personal check, money order, etc., immediately to the appropriate IRS location listed below.
  2. Write on the check/money order made payable to ‘U.S. Treasury’ and write ‘2020EIP’, and your taxpayer identification number (social security number, or individual taxpayer identification number).
  3. Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the payment.

Where to return the payment?

If you filed in Wisconsin, you should mail to this address: 
Fresno Refund Inquiry Unit
5045 E Butler Avenue
Mail Stop, B2007
Fresno, CA 93888

Please note that the Office of International Education does not have any staff who are qualified nonresident tax authorities. If you need assistance beyond the information contined in this message, please reach out to a nonresident tax specialist/service, such as Sprintax or GLACIER Tax Prep for assistance.

All UW-Stout international student employees are automatically enrolled in GLACIER Tax Prep, a service specifically for nonresident tax preparation assistance. I receive dozens of requests every year asking if students can use TurboTax or similar services for their taxes and I always advise that "TurboTax does not assist with nonresident tax filings". Going forward, I encourage you yet again to use the service that you have been automatically enrolled in, GLACIER Tax Prep. Using services like GLACIER and Sprintax ensure that your tax filing is completed correctly and for your unique circumstances, this situation helps to highlight why this is so important. 

MORE INFORMATION

Sprintax has a very good article on this topic, you can view it here: http://blog.sprintax.com/nonresident-aliens-guide-navigating-covid-19-cares-act-stimulus-payments/

They also have a good video on the subject: https://youtu.be/tsKoE4j_Y34

Information about amending your tax return can be found on the IRS website here. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/if-you-must-amend-your-return