The inside scoop on the people and projects that support UNLV

In this issue:

• Business Affairs All-Staff Meeting
• Department Highlight: Nonresident Alien Tax Compliance Office
• December Employee Appreciation Recipients
• Spotlight on Service
• Employee Assistance Program Resources
• Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training 
• Upgrading Your Digital Literacy
• Dates to Remember

Business Affairs All-Staff Meeting

All Business Affairs employees are invited to attend the spring all-staff meeting on Monday, March 4. The gathering will take place in the Student Union ballroom from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and will include refreshments, a team photo, a wellness presentation, and an announcement of the 2023 employees of the year.  

Don’t miss out on a great time to learn more about the Business Affairs vision as you mingle with fellow colleagues.

Department Highlight: Nonresident Alien Tax

Compliance Office

There are many tax forms and documents nonresident aliens need to become familiar with during their time in the United States. That is where the Nonresident Alien Tax Compliance Office comes in. Housed under the Financial Services unit, the department ensures that nonresident aliens are in tax compliance with the American tax authorities – the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 

The one-person team includes Debbie Honrath, who serves as the nonresident tax alien specialist for UNLV, CSN, and NSU. In this role, Debbie reviews and approves all foreign payments. This includes scholarships paid to students, wages paid to employees, awards, and payments to guest speakers, consultants, and independent contractors. 

The Nonresident Alien Tax Compliance Office is responsible for determining an individual’s federal tax residency status using the IRS substantial presence test, which enables individuals without U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status to receive payments. Nonresident aliens should contact the specialist to schedule an appointment to complete additional documents and forms. The office registers foreign companies and entities through the vendor payment registration system and reviews their information and supporting documents. 

The department also assists nonresident aliens in filing their federal income tax returns with the IRS using Glacier Tax Prep (GTP). The online tax filing program helps determine tax residency, withholding rates, and federal income tax treaty eligibility. Nonresident aliens must mail their 1040-NR tax return directly to the IRS, which the office also helps with by packaging the tax return and additional forms and providing a pre-addressed envelope during the appointment.

For U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or resident aliens, the Nonresident Alien Tax Compliance Office recommends using Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to file taxes. VITA is a free program offered by the UNLV Lee Business School’s Department of Accounting. For more information, check out this UNLV Today announcement. 

December Employee Appreciation Recipients

John Tomola, Risk Management & Safety

John was nominated for the outstanding work he’s done as part of the Risk Management & Safety team. He consistently manages multiple projects at a level that exceeds expectations. Recently, he led a request for proposal (RFP) and selected vendors to assess and recommend options to ensure UNLV is in compliance with the OSHA Fall Protection program. He also performed numerous lighting surveys to improve exterior lighting on campus. Lastly, he worked with key stakeholders to draft, collect feedback, and implement a university policy to address the increased use of wheeled conveyances on campus. Thank you, John, for all that you do!

Kathy Adams, Financial Planning, Budget, and Analysis 

Kathy was nominated for her financial expertise and dedication to sharing information and transparency. Her timely, informed, and detailed responses often exceed expectations. During the last legislative session, she was responsible for providing fiscal notes that addressed potential funding gaps in policies being introduced in the legislature and detailed how bills would affect the university financially. This was critical in ensuring UNLV received needed funding. Thank you, Kathy, for all that you do!

Spotlight on Service

In October 2023, we distributed our annual Business Affairs customer service survey. The responses included a number of accolades for our hard-working Business Affairs teams. Here are some words of appreciation for the Accounting, Reporting, and Banking Services department:

“This team is packed full of rockstars who always offer top notch service. A department that truly resembles the 'it starts at the top' sentiment and I am grateful to work with them frequently.”

“Outstanding service and response time to the general accounting group email. They are a blessing!”

“Accounting folks are very responsive and live the Business Affairs C.A.R.E. culture standards. Always willing to guide and provide assistance with research.”

Employee Assistance Program Resources

Trauma Group Counseling Sessions

UNLV’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider ComPsych will host its final trauma group counseling sessions on Feb. 26. The free sessions offer employees the opportunity to talk openly with colleagues about their experiences, challenges, thoughts, and feelings. Visit this UNLV Today announcement for more information and to register.

Navigating Life’s Big Decisions Webinar

Some people can make decisions quickly and with minimal anxiety over whether or not they made the wrong choice. For others, it is not that easy.

Learn effective decision-making skills in a free webinar from ComPsych on Wednesday, March 6 at 9 a.m. Register via GoToWebinar.

Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training

LivingWorks, a leader in suicide prevention training, will host free in-person safeTALK and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) for all faculty and staff.

Visit this UNLV Today announcement for more information and to register.

Upgrading Your Digital Literacy

Google Workspace has introduced an improved comments experience in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides to help users sort, filter, and manage comments faster. Additional updates to comment cards, icons, and other features are also available.

To learn more about improved comments, visit the Google Workspace Blog.

Dates to Remember

• March: Women’s History Month
• March 4: Business Affairs All-Staff Meeting
• March 5: 2024 UNLV State of the University