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
Year End Statements
592-B
Non-resident Withholding Tax Statement
W-2
Wage and Tax Statement
1098-T
Tuition Statement
1099-MISC
Miscellaneous Income
1099-INT
Interest Income
Understanding your W-2
2013
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.
2013 Federal Filing Requirements
(under age 65)
If your filing status is…
File if your gross income was at
least…
Single
$10,000
Head of Household
$12,850
Qualifying Widow(er)
$16,100
Married Filing Jointly
$20,000
Married Filing Separately
$3,900
2013 CA Filing Requirements
(under age 65)
If your filing status is…
File if your gross
income was at
least…
(if you had no
dependents)
(if you had 1
dependent)
(if you had 2 or
more dependents)
Single
$15,702
$26,569
$34,719
Head of Household
$15,702
$26,569
$34,719
N/A
$26,569
$34,719
Married Filing Jointly/RDP
$31,406
$42,273
$50,423
Married Filing Separately
$31,406
$42,273
$50,423
More than your
standard deduction
More than your
standard deduction
More than your
standard deduction
Qualifying Widow(er)
Dependent of another
person
To File or Not to File
 Even if you are not required to file, there are six
reasons you might want to file.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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 NonRefundable 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:
Type of Return
Refund or No-Pay
1040, 1040A, 1040EZ,
1040X, 1040
Payment with Return
Department of Treasury
Department of Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Internal Revenue Service
Fresno, CA 93888-0002
PO Box 7704
San Francisco, CA
94120-7704
 Individual State (California) Return must be mailed to:
Type of
Return
Refund or No-Pay
Return
Payment with
Return
Other
Correspondence
540,
540A
540 2EZ,
540X,
540NR
Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 942840
Sacramento, CA
94240-0001
Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 942867
Sacramento, CA
94267-0001
Franchise Tax Board
PO Box 942840
Sacramento, CA
94240-0040
Five Reasons to E-file
It’s easy
Accurate and complete
Safe and secure
Faster refunds
Payment options
IRS Free Income Tax Preparation
Merced County VITA
Location
Availability
Languages
United Way of Merced County
658 W Main Street
Merced CA 95340
209-383-4242
Jan 31 – April 15
By Appointment
English and
Spanish
Useful Telephone Numbers and
Websites
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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-FederalTaxes-for-Free
 FTB:
https://ftb.ca.gov/online/calFile/about.shtml?WT.mc_
id=HP_Online_CalFile&WT.svl=HCF2
Campus Resources
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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