How to declare taxes as a Nonresident Alien?

Question

I was an international worker as a waiter for an internship in Washington D.C. last year.
Working 11weeks, I got a J-1 Visa.

The payment was good and everything just perfect.

Having happily returned back to my country, very recently, I've received a W-2 form, demanding the declaration of my taxes.

I've never done this before and now I am totally overwhelmed by the massive information I got from the International Revenue Service website (http://www.irs.gov/efile). Could somebody tell my just what's the exact procedure I should do?

I am a Nonresident Alien, and I am not in American.

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!

i am still a student, and i waited tables earning wages and tips. Do i need to declare my tips as well? i don't remember the exact amount.

Answer 1

Your US income is fully taxable in the US. You must file a Form 1040NR to settle up with the IRS. You may have a refund due or you may owe additional tax but will have to prepare a return to determine your standing.

IRS Pub 519 will tell you pretty much everything that you need to know. Here's a link: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p519.pdf

Here's a link to Form 1040NR: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040nr.pdf

And here's a link to the instructions for Form 1040NR: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040nr.pdf

Answer 2

There is only one thing I can add to Bostonianinmo's answer. Do not ignore this if you ever intend to visit the USA again, even for a holiday. Your chances of getting in would be very small.