Important Information about getting an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)

There have been some significant and unannounced changes in the ITIN process for this tax year!  

If you or your dependents do not have a SSN and need an ITIN in order to file a tax return, please be aware that the IRS is no longer accepting ITIN applications with tax returns.  Instead you will need to file the ITIN application (the form W-7) first and separately from your tax return, and only after receiving the number can you file your return.  Please note that this may cause you to have to file your tax return past the April 15 deadline.  Unfortunately at this time there is no process to avoid this.  Keep in mind however that if you do not owe the IRS a payment there is no penalty for filing a late return. 

For more information on filing the ITIN application please see #19 in the Tax FAQ at http://tinyurl.com/pggllgp and the previous ITIN announcement from the IRS at http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Updated-ITIN-Procedure-Changes-Announced.  Please keep in mind that any mention of filing the W-7 with the ITIN is outdated and should not be followed.

GLACIER Tax Prep & 1042-S Delays

Due to campus closures, the release of 1042-S forms and the launch of GLACIER Tax Prep (GTP) have both been delayed until February 28, 2014 

March 2014 Visa Bulletin

March 2014 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Cut-Off Dates Move Ahead for Most Countries; Modest Advancement for EB-2 China; Significant Retrogression for F-2A Mexico

According to the State Department’s March Visa Bulletin, the EB-3 subcategory for professionals and skilled workers will advance by three months for most countries, to September 1, 2012, India by two weeks to September 15, 2003, and the Philippines by two weeks to May 1, 2007.

The EB-3 other worker subcategory for China and Mexico will advance by three months, to September 1, 2012 and the Philippines by two weeks, to May 1, 2007. EB-3 India will advance by two weeks to September 15, 2003.

The priority date cut-off for EB-2 China will advance by five weeks to February 15, 2009 next month, but EB-2 India will remain at November 15, 2004.

In the family-based F-2A category for the spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents, the cutoff date will remain at September 8, 2013 for all countries except for Mexico, which will retrogress by approximately one year and four months to April 15, 2012.

March 2014 Priority Date Cut-Offs

In March 2014, EB immigrant visa priority date cut-offs will be:

EB-1 Current for all countries.

EB-2 China: February 15, 2009
India: November 15, 2004
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers China: September 1, 2012
India: September 15, 2003
Philippines: May 1, 2007
All other countries: September 1, 2012

EB-3 Other Workers China: September 1, 2012
India: September 15, 2003
Philippines: May 1, 2007
All other countries: September 1, 2012

EB-5 Current for all countries and subcategories.

Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Availability in the Coming Months 
The State Department projects that the priority date cut-off for EB-2 China will advance by three to five weeks per month over the next several months, but there will be no advancement for EB-2 India in the near term.

Several months of significant advancement in EB-3 cut-off dates for China, Mexico and most other countries is expected to generate increased demand. As such, cut-off dates for these countries are expected to see little forward movement in the coming months. If demand increases significantly, there could be some retrogression. Little to no advancement is expected for EB-3 India, but EB-3 Philippines is expected to advance three to six weeks per month.

EB-5 is expected to remain current for all countries in the near term.

CBP Adds Pre-Flight Inspection Location in Abu Dhabi

From Fragomen.com, 02/04/2014

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has established a new Pre-Flight Inspection (PFI) location in Abu Dhabi. Travellers may now be pre-screened for immigration, customs, and security clearances before boarding flights to the United States. Abu Dhabi is the first PFI location in the Middle East. There are indications that another location may be established in Dubai. 

Although the PFI operation facility is available for all individuals flying to the U.S. from Abu Dhabi, only those with direct flights may avoid immigration and customs processing upon landing in the United States. A foreign national may be inspected for admission in both Abu Dhabi and in the United States if he or she has a connecting flight. As with all representations made to Department of Homeland Security officers, foreign nationals should clearly, truthfully, and consistently answer questions regarding the purpose of their trip. 

The PFI program permits CBP to staff officers at host airports and provides for the inspection and clearance of travelers on foreign soil. A PFI operation is established by formal agreement between the United States and the host country. 

What This Means for Employers 

The new PFI station means that foreign national employees traveling from Abu Dhabi to the United States for work, business, or tourism may benefit from streamlined immigration processing and may avoid long lines on arrival. A foreign national who is refused admission to the United States would be informed before embarking rather than on arrival in the United States. 

State Tax Workshop Schedule 2014

Federal tax forms must be filled out before attending a State Tax Workshop. 

You must bring the following to the State Tax Workshop:

• Your completed federal form (1040NR or 1040NR-EZ) 

• All W-2 forms (if received) 

• All 1042-S forms (if received)

• All 1099 forms (if received)

• Blank copy of the GA500 (not GA500-EZ) form found here: http://tinyurl.com/olsz4jq. 

Schedule

Date	Time	Location (Building #)	Room #
Monday, February 24, 2014	2:00 PM	Klaus (153)	1116 East
Thursday, March 06, 2014	1:30 PM	Klaus (153)	1116 East/West
Friday, March 14, 2014	9:00 AM	Klaus (153)	1116 East/West
Friday, March 21, 2014	1:00 PM	Klaus (153)	1116 East/West
Thursday, March 27, 2014	1:00 PM	Klaus (153)	1116 East/West
Wednesday, April 02, 2014	4:00 PM	Instructional Center (055)	Room 103
Monday, April 07, 2014	10:30 AM	Instructional Center (055)	Room 105
Monday, April 14, 2014	4:00 PM	Instructional Center (055)	Room 103

All workshops last approximately 1 hour

Map of Locations

View Tax Workshop Map in a larger map