Interesting NR Thing

[MsTabbyKats]

I got a new client yesterday...J-1 from Brazil.

She arrived here in April 2013....so I asked to see her W-2 etc...and last year's return.

She sent me a W-2...that is obviously correct for a non-resident alien, a 1099-Int from the IRS and a 2013 1040-A.

 

Well...I told her that 2013 was done incorrectly and I had "to think"

(Meaning that if I did a 2014 NR she could have a problem with 2013...and/or that if I submitted it "like last year"...and she applied for a Green Card...she could have a problem...and/or if I submitted like last year I could have a problem for being stupid).

 

So...I then said to her..."I see you got a 1099-INT from IRS.  That indicates to me that they were late in paying your refund".

She said...yes...there was a problem...and then when she called IRS to ask about her refund they made her send the W-2 to Austin (the land of the non-resident returns) and that they said being here the first year, she wasn't allowed to e-file (another non-resident thing).

 

To the point...for those of you who don't get involved in 1040-NRs....

The tax preparer submitted, by e-file a 1040-A for a return that had one W-2.

I would assume...it would sail through without any issues.

But, the IRS did pick up (I guess by her W-2...because FICA is not taken out) that she was a non-resident alien...and the return wasn't done correctly.

 

I was shocked...and feel more justified in my "warnings" to people about possible issues with IRS.