Comments on: Resident Aliens – Claim Additional Tax Deductions

By: njnarf

njnarf — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:35:17 +0000

Has anyone heard of if you can claim the cost of your immigration forms on your tax return? I paid $4000 this year alone in immigration fees and I think it is outrageuous that you can't claim that on your taxes.

By: shantanu

shantanu — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:53:07 +0000

hey thanks, this post is very useful! :)

By: Can H1-B and F1 visa holders earn money online

Can H1-B and F1 visa holders earn money online — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 06:26:25 +0000

[...] who are considered Resident Aliens for tax purposes by the IRS, you might be interested in extra deductions that you can claim to increase your [...]

By: Patrix

Patrix — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:36:37 +0000

PhD, of course it is. And as long as you earn more than the tax exemption limits, you gotta pay your dues to Uncle Sam. And if you have a spouse and children, you get more exemptions. Life isn’t fair, I know.

Hawkeye, I went to H&R Block the first year I turned Resident Alien (sounds like a sci fi movie) but later realized that we could easily do this on our own. After all, it is just two pages (and supplementals).

By: Hawkeye

Hawkeye — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:49:59 +0000

to start with – thanks. will respond with more after I digest all this. i really want to avoid going to H&R block.

By: phd

phd — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:27:52 +0000

is income for phd students also taxable in usa , i heard it is very meagre salary for phd students in usa 1700$/month or so , what will you be left if this is also taxed how can you run a family raise children with this salary, over that taxes also and over that to break head on phd also ayyo rama

By: Patrix

Patrix — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 00:57:15 +0000

TGFI, You're welcome. Hope it saves you some. Lekhni, Yup! Being a homeowner has its perks. But that kind of a tax code has had its effect on defining our urban structure and social demographics. Regarding the tuition fees deduction, I checked last year's form and I couldn't see it at least not in the same place. Sqrl, of course! $600..woo hoo! Watch me stimulate the economy (not!) when I use that to pay off my credit card debt.

By: sqrl

sqrl — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:46:24 +0000

I’m sure u havent, but don’t forget the economic stimulus thing this year..

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179181,00.html

By: Lekhni

Lekhni — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:01:37 +0000

Interesting post. I have always gone through an auditor though :) You are correct about home owners being better off itemizing, that’s what we do..one other thing is, if you are a homeowner, any home improvement purchases (like purchasing drapes) can also be added to the cost basis of the home..

Are you sure the tuition fees deduction was only in 2007? I thought it was there earlier too..

By: Filing Tax Returns For Resident Aliens | DesiPundit

Filing Tax Returns For Resident Aliens | DesiPundit — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:28:05 +0000

[...] has an informative post on differentÂ deductions available to resident aliens, Deductions are basically credits offered by the government to deduct from your total income. You [...]

By: tgfi

tgfi — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 17:47:38 +0000

Great post Patrix! Thanks so much!

By: Patrix

Patrix — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 17:15:12 +0000

Gawker, kya re…do your research first :)

Anyway, about the standard vs. itemized deductions, from what I understand is that the former gives you one round figure that you can use to claim a lumpsum deduction whereas if you have more expenses the government lets you claim deduction for then it is better to itemize them.

You must have heard or seen the scramble for receipts as the tax season gets close. This is probably to file any such expense as business expense e.g. the printer you got for your daughter’s high school project can be palmed off as for the small business you claim to run from your garage and thus be deducted from your income. The itemized deductions contain the big-ticket items like medical expenses, local and property taxes, home mortgage interest, mortgage insurance premiums, gifts to charity, etc. Being a homeowner, you’ll have to do this next year so better get a head start on trying to understand this.

By: gawker

gawker — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:43:55 +0000

Turns out I was wrong. It's 50 miles and only if your move is work-related. Plus there are other conditions. Here's a document

By: gawker

gawker — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:09:50 +0000

By the way what is this standard deduction / itemized deduction nonsense? I have never understood it.

By: Patrix

Patrix — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 03:37:18 +0000

Gawker, Ah! I must have missed that 30 miles criteria. Is it also applicable if you take a roundabout route?

And of course, the home owner’s deduction is the big one but if you want to take that, then it is better to go with itemized deductions instead of the standard deduction, right? I think I mentioned that at the top.

By: gawker

gawker — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 03:30:04 +0000

I might be wrong but I thought you can only deduct moving expenses if the move is more than 30 miles from your previous residence. I used this deduction on my last move but can’t during this move because it’s less than 30 miles.

Also you missed one huge tax deduction : Home owner’s deduction : Any interest you pay on your mortgage is deductible. This is especially huge during the first few years of owning a home. I will be able to use this one next year. Can’t wait for it.

By: Patrix

Patrix — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:06:59 +0000

Jinal, sorry about the Google ads but you wouldn’t see them if you read off the front page or through the RSS feed. Glad you found it helpful although am sure you might know more about this.

By: Jinal Shah

Jinal Shah — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:41:26 +0000

this is fantastic!! and very helpful. (although i don’t like the google ads on your blog :(