Dear international students and scholars,
We have received official guidance from the U.S. Department of State on the eligibility for J-1 exchange visitors to accept the 2020 Recovery Rebates in the amount of $1200. As you may have heard, these checks are being distributed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as part of the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act,” or the “CARES Act."
Per regulations, J-1 exchange visitors who do not meet the IRS definition of "resident alien" are
not eligible to receive these funds. During the tax filing process, a tax professional will determine if you meet the “substantial presence” test and are considered a “resident for tax purposes”. Exchange visitors in the U.S. on shorter programs would not be considered resident aliens and should not get a Recovery Rebate. However, if an exchange visitor filed their tax returns on the wrong form, then they may have mistakenly received the Recovery Rebates.
The U.S. Department of State has recommended that exchange visitors review the IRS interactive tax tools to assist interested individuals in determining eligibility to file taxes and on what form. Please see the links below:
If you have been in the U.S. long enough to be considered resident for tax purposes and have correctly filed taxes as a resident for tax purposes, you may be eligible for Care Act assistance. However, international students and scholars who are not considered “residents for tax purposes” are not eligible to receive CARE Act relief checks.
If you have received a relief check in error, please do not worry. We can put you in touch with a tax professional like Sprintax to help you file an amended return and return the check to the IRS. Please contact
oiss@udel.edu for support if you have received a check and are not a resident for tax purposes.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions.
With best wishes,
The OISS Team
