US visa problem

doriansmith

I've a RTW trip booked and am visiting LA and New York on the way home for a few days each. Problem is I went on J1 visa last summer to NY and never filed a tax return. we were told it was essential but my job was basically off the books so i never paid any taxes. anyway i got a couple of reminder emails telling me i had to but there was nothing i could do. now I'm a bit worried there'll be problems when I try to enter the country again in Jan, what with how strict they are nowadays. Anyone think this will be a problem?

Ruu_Old

Its possible there will be a problem, did you try calling the US Embassy or the people who issued your J1?

doriansmith

no maybe i should try the embassy. don't wanna get stranded in the airport and get refused entry

netwhizkid

Perhaps you should talk to your airline they might shed some light on it. If not then you will either have to travel to the US embassy or ring them it cost €2.40 a min to ring, its a 1580 number. If you explain how your job was "under the counter" perhaps it might help anyway, they are gone very strict with travelling to the US. (i don't blame them really for reasons of national security) You should have filed some sort of Tax return though.

the jew

netwhizkid wrote:

If you explain how your job was "under the counter" perhaps it might help anyway

Would it not be better saying that you didn't have a job for the summer, as oppose to saying you had a job but never paid any taxes?? Makes sense to me but I could be wrong.

John R

netwhizkid wrote:

If you explain how your job was "under the counter" perhaps it might help anyway,

'Cause they just luuurve tax fraud in the US.

Larianne

I think ya should just chance it. If you were working illegally in any way, do not tell the embassy this as they won't let you into the country.

Best bet is to contact an immigration lawyer, not the embassy. If they find out you were doing anything dodgy they won't let you into the country even if you're just going for holidays!! There are so strict now its unbelievable (and why I ain't back there now! :mad: )

trixie_bee

I don't think it will be a problem. I'd be surprised if the Internal Revenue Service and Immigration are communicating well enough to stop you.

So if you are just coming through, using the non-work, 90-day reciprocal visa, don't mention the taxes or that you may have worked illegally.

Who are the tax reminder emails coming from anyway? And did you fill out a w-2 or i-9 form when you started working? That's the only way they would be tracking your taxable income, I think.

Ruu_Old

i dont advise chancing anything, you'll be left stranded or just get in my strife down the line if you do get away with it this time.

Larianne

If you're going there on a tourist visa, don't tell them about any taxes or fraud. They will not let you into the country!! And act dumb... its the only way!! Oh and flirt (if youre a girl! It helps)

Ruu_Old

no offence Larianne but i dont think its very safe thing to do. Im thinking of long term, things could backfire in your face, i just wouldnt risk anything, its extremely strict here right now. all the departments get involved when your applying for a visa and im sure the Border protection is what they are called now, not Immigration anymore, are well informed with the IRS.
Im not trying to scare you eva22, just wouldnt chance anything with the US government.

Lex Luthor

netwhizkid wrote:

If you explain how your job was "under the counter" perhaps it might help anyway,

not a good idea.....do what the jew says and say you weren't working and just on a holiday.

Victor

Do a tax return now. I suspect your tax credits would exceed income.

doriansmith

the people who sent me reminder emails were called CCUSA and they basically organise the J1 thing i think. i didnt receive anything from the actual government.i can't file one now because it had to be done by april. my employer was supposed to fill in some form or another. i was waitressing and most of the people there were irish and illegal,i was one of the only ones who had a proper work visa. another problem was that i never received my social security number even though one was issued-it got sent to wrong address & i never received it. so even if i did try fill in a tax return i wouldnt be able to put in my number. CCUSA know i was working because you had to send them a form during the summer giving all your employer details. you have to get a job now with the j1 or you get deported.

por

If you have not got anyting from the IRS or US gov then you should be fine. To be honest one arm of the American Gov does not know what the other is doing half the time.