ciee - council on international educational exchange
CIEE The CIEE Intern Contest

Hurricane Irene Approaches U.S. East Coast

As Hurricane Irene makes its way to the east coast, CIEE wants to provide some useful information on what to do if your community is affected. We will continue to post updates to the CIEE website and provide email updates and news that will be helpful to you. You can also call CIEE at 1-888-268-6245 at any time if you have questions about the storm. Please see below for helpful safety tips in preparation for the storm’s arrival:


  • Stay informed. Watch local news for storm updates. If Hurricane Irene is a serious threat to your community, evacuation instructions will be provided on the local news networks. You may also view updates on Hurricane Irene on the National Weather Service website.
  • The American Red Cross may arrive in your community if the hurricane does happen. They are an excellent emergency response organization and we ask you to look at their website to learn their latest news on the storm: http://www.redcross.org/.
  • Local authorities or the Red Cross may organize storm shelters for your safety. These shelters are excellent places to go, even if you only have questions. If there is a shelter available and the hurricane will be in your area, CIEE strongly advises you to go there for your safety.
  • Please know the police and fire departments are friendly and they will help you in an emergency situation.
  • Prepare yourself. CIEE encourages you to read more about hurricanes on the National Weather Service and the Red Cross websites. They offer excellent ideas for how to safely prepare for a hurricane storm.
  • Ask your employer if Hurricane Irene will affect your town if you’re not sure. Your employer may have experienced these storms in the past and will be able to tell you what to expect and what to do.

In the event that you must move to a temporary shelter, and if you have access to email or a telephone, please let us know where you are and that you are safe. If necessary, we will notify your CIEE agent in your home country so that they can notify your parents. You can email us at contact@ciee.org or call us, toll-free, at 1-888-268-6245.

Tax Returns

As a J-1 Exchange Visitor, if you earn income in the U.S. you are required to pay federal, state, and sometimes local taxes.

If you are not sure that your employer is withholding the correct taxes from your paycheck, please read the section on Pay and Taxes.

You are required by law to file a U.S. tax return, even if you will be in your home country when it is time to do this. The good news is, you will likely be entitled to a refund of some or all of the taxes you paid.

Tax returns must be filed by April 15 for the previous tax year:

If you earn a paycheck between: You must file your tax return by:
January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 April 15, 2011
January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 April 15, 2012

This means that if you earned paychecks in two different calendar years, you must file a separate tax return for each of those years.

How to File Your Tax Return

You must file a Federal tax return, and separate state and local tax returns if you paid state and local taxes. There are two options for filing your tax returns:

1. Complete and file the forms yourself.

You will need the following forms to file your own tax return:

  • W-2 Form: You will receive this from your employer after the end of the tax year. It must legally be issued by January 31. Contact your employer if you do not receive it soon after that date. Make sure they have your home address so they can send it to you.
  • 1040NR-EZ Form: This form is for your Federal tax return. You can download the form and instructions at www.irs.gov.
  • State/Local Income Tax Forms: These forms are different for each state. You can find more information at www.irs.gov.

Unpaid Internships
If your internship is unpaid, you must file form 8843 to report your presence in the U.S. Visit www.irs.gov for more details. If you are accompanied by any J-2 dependents, they must also file form 8843.

2. Use a company to file the tax returns on your behalf.

  • There are many companies who provide tax refund services. You should carefully check any provider’s credentials to make sure they will file your returns properly. The CIEE preferred tax provider is www.taxback.com/ciee.

Enter the WYSE Work Abroad Video Contest and you could win US$2,000!

As a member of WYSE Work Abroad, CIEE encourages you to showcase your creative talents by joining WYSE Work Abroad’s “Expand Your Horizons” Video Contest. Submit a 2-3 minute video about your work abroad, volunteer, work and travel, or internship experience, and you could win US $2,000!

Find out more about this exciting contest by visiting the contest microblog site: http://wyseworkabroad.tumblr.com

The 2011 contest is now closed. Check back in April 2012 for details of the 2012 contest!

Be sure to notify WYSE Work Abroad that you’ve entered the contest by emailing them your name and the title of your video. You must also indicate that you are a CIEE Work & Travel USA participant.

If you have questions, please visit the WYSE Work Abroad website or email them at mailbox@wyseworkabroad.org.