How to File Your Tax Returns

As a participant in the Work & Travel USA program, you are legally required to file a tax return, even though you will already have returned home. Tax returns should be filed by April 15 for the previous tax year (January 1 - December 31st).

Filing a tax return
If you decide to complete the tax returns yourself, you will need the following forms:

• W-2 Form This is sent by the employer and details the total wages and the amount of each tax that was withheld.
• 1040NR-EZ Form This form is specifically for non-resident aliens. (It is called "EZ" because it is EASY!) It can be obtained, together with instructions for filling it out, on the US government web site.
• State Income Tax Form This form differs for each of the 50 states in the US, and you will need to complete the form for the state(s) in which you have worked. A list of state tax sites is available at http://www.irs.gov (search for "state sites").

At the beginning of the year (in January or February) you will receive a W-2 form from your U.S. employer detailing what taxes you paid while under their employment. (Make sure you give the employer your permanent home address so the form will get to you!) Once you have received the W-2 form, you can fill out the 1040NR-EZ Form. You will also need to fill out state and city tax forms.

The standard deadline for filing tax return forms is April 15. Use the charts found in the 1040NR-EZ instructions to determine the tax refund or the amount of tax owed. The earlier you file your tax returns, the sooner you will receive your refund.