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Tax Info for U.S. Citizens and Immigrants February 24, 2014 Prepared by: Kiran Samran Manager of Tax Services 1715 Canal Street (Mondo Building) Merced, CA 95340. Agenda. Tax Update Who is a Resident for tax purposes? Income and withholding at U.C. Merced Who is required to file
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Tax Info for U.S. Citizens and Immigrants February 24, 2014 Prepared by: Kiran Samran Manager of Tax Services 1715 Canal Street (Mondo Building) Merced, CA 95340
Agenda • Tax Update • Who is a Resident for tax purposes? • Income and withholding at U.C. Merced • Who is required to file • How, when, and where to file • Credits versus Deductions • Free Tax Preparation Resources • Resources
Tax Update • Delayed filing (Beginning Jan. 31) • American Opportunity Credit (up to $2,500) • Lifetime Learning Credit (up to $2,000)
What is Residency? • Residency for Immigration Purposes • Residency for Tuition Purposes • Residency for Tax Purposes • Substantial presence
Why Should I Care About Residency for Tax Purposes? • Because application for Income Tax Law (Federal and State Level) begins with the residency for tax purposes.
Determining Residency in California • Generally, the filing status that you file with Federal is the same as the filing status that you file for the State. • The California Taxing Authority a.k.a Franchise Tax Board (FTB), defines a resident for tax purposes to be an individual who is in California other than a transitory or temporary period.
Income at U.C. Merced • Taxable Scholarship/Fellowship awards • Royalties • Wages for guest lecturer • Wages from employment • Other payments not exempted by IRS Code
Taxes Withheld from Wages • Federal Income Tax (IRS) • California State Income Tax (FTB) • Employment Taxes (a.k.a. FICA, SDI)
What is Taxable Income? • Taxable income includes but is not limited to: • Interest and Dividends • Capital Gains • Life insurance • Social Security Benefits • Alimony • Jury Duty • Bonus • Hobby Income • Rental Income • Business Income
Who Must File Income Tax? • In the United States, it is the individual’s responsibility to know what taxes must be filed with the government. • Everyone who receives a compensation while living in California may be required to file a California Income Tax Return. • The State of California sometimes does not conform with the Federal Government.
To File or Not to File • Even if you are not required to file, there are six reasons you might want to file. • Income tax withheld • Earned Income Tax Credit • Additional Child Tax Credit • Child and Dependent Care Credit • American Opportunity Credit • Health Coverage Tax Credit
Refundable versus Non-Refundable Credits • A refundable credit not only reduces tax liability down to zero, but it is also paid out in the form of a refund. • A non-refundable credit reduces tax liability down to zero.
Credit versus Deductions • Credits are dollar per dollar reductions of taxes. These can be refundable or non-refundable. • Deductions are reductions of total reportable income. Some deductions are taken above the line, but most are taken through itemized deductions.
When and where to file? You must file a tax return by April 15, 2013. • Individual Federal Return must be mailed to: • Individual State (California) Return must be mailed to:
Five Reasons to E-file • It’s easy • Accurate and complete • Safe and secure • Faster refunds • Payment options
Useful Telephone Numbers and Websites • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - (800) 829-1040 • Franchise Tax Board (FTB) – 800-852-5711 • Social Security Administration (SSA) - (800) 772-1213 • Employment Development Dept. (EDD) - (800) 300-5616 Websites: • IRS: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Free-File:-Do-Your-Federal- Taxes-for-Free • FTB: https://ftb.ca.gov/online/calFile/about.shtml?WT.mc_ id=HP_Online_CalFile&WT.svl=HCF2
Campus Resources • Tax Services tax@ucmerced.edu (209) 228-4075 • Student Business Services sbs@ucmerced.edu (209) 228-4114 • Graduate Division gradfunding@ucmerced.edu (209) 228-4622 • Financial Aid finaid@ucmerced.edu (209) 228-4243 • Human Resources hr@ucmerced.edu (209) 228-8586 • Accounting Services accounting@ucmerced.edu • Contracts and Grants Accounting cga@ucmerced.edu (209) 222-8043 • International Affairs Office international@ucmerced.edu (209) 228-4722 • Payroll Services payroll@ucmerced.edu (209) 228-2729
Comments or Suggestions Please submit your comments and/or suggestions to: ksamran2@ucmerced.edu