For many Americans, April 15 is a time synonymous with stress, confusion and frustration. But with ever-changing tax codes and Internal Revenue Service guidelines, the confusion is not limited to U.S. citizens, but extends to internationals, including students studying at Boston University.
Things were made a little bit clearer last night, when BU international students gathered in the Law Auditorium to learn how to file their income tax return. Bill Authenrieth, a former IRS employer, led the session.
“I’m an American and I don’t know anything about taxes and I don’t want to know anything about taxes,” he said. “That is why we keep H’R Block in business.”
The three-hour session broke down the aspects of the U.S. tax code pertaining to international students. According to Authenrieth, it is difficult for international students to learn and understand the U.S. tax laws because “it is not really part of their culture.”
Benoit Schmitlin, a freshman in the College of Engineering and a resident of France, agreed with Authenrieth.
“There are so many forms and so many contradictions,” he said.
The session tried to explain these contradictions in more reasonable and understandable terms than the regular government lingo. Authenrieth discussed everything from when and where international students are to file their tax forms to how to understand U.S. tax treaties to information explaining the difference between W2 and W4 forms.
To help the students understand, Authenrieth gave them several pamphlets and worksheets explaining the tax code. The information within the pamphlets was extensive and confusing, so Authenrieth spent the first two hours simply explaining pamphlets and worksheets.
Keeping the session student-based, Authenrieth included such information such as what part of scholarships are taxable before closing the lecture with a close examination of the actual U.S. non-resident Alien Income Tax Return.
“The tax return is mathematics,” he said.
Authenrieth followed his lecture with an intensive question and answer period, going row by row through the large auditorium to make sure that everyone had his or her question answered.
Norbert Fortin, a Canadian BU graduate student, found many of his questions and concerns were answered. “It was a great service,” Fortin said.
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