Tag Archives: taxes

Au Pair Taxes

February 2, 2022 – 2:11 pm

Au Pair in America staff, including its community counselors, are not qualified to provide any official tax information. We recommend that you use H & R Block Expat Tax Services or another professional if you have any specific questions regarding U.S. taxes or need help to file your taxes. Below are some resources and general information.

Where to Get Started

Au Pair in America has a Tax Information for Au Pairs page and Tax Information document that explains the basics of how taxes work in the U.S.
You can view an Instructional Tax Video in your au pair portal. Once you are logged into your au pair portal → go to “Resources” tab → “In the US” → click “Instructional Tax Video for Guidance”
April 18, 2022, is the deadline to submit your 2021 tax forms and payment. Doing so after that deadline can lead to extra fees and interest charges.
From the H&R Block Expat Tax Service: “U.S. law requires au pairs who earn more than the filing threshold in stipends during a calendar year to file a U.S. federal tax return. Under the new tax law, the filing threshold is currently $5. Depending on the state in which you earned the income, you may also be subject to state tax filing. If you don’t file, you risk incurring costly interest and penalties, and it may complicate obtaining a U.S. visa in the future.”

If You Want to Get Your Taxes Professionally Done

Au Pair in America has partnered with H & R Block Expat Tax Services which has set up an easy, affordable, and virtual option for au pairs to assist with tax filing. The promotional fee is $50 through February 28th, which includes Federal and State (if applicable) filing. Starting on March 1st the fee increases to $99.

If You Plan to Do Your Own Taxes

Even if you are planning to prepare your own taxes, I recommend you check out the information on the H&R Block Expat Tax Service page. Scroll down the page and see the answers to lots of common questions au pairs have about taxes.
If you are planning to prepare your taxes on your own (or with help from your host parents) you can get links to the tax forms HERE.
If you plan to file your taxes by mail, here are some things you will need to know:
- How to Address an Envelope in the U.S.
- How to Fill Out a Money Order (may be purchased at a bank, post office or CVS)
Some other important details:
- Include your full name and Social Security Number on your tax forms and your payment (check or money order).
- Make copies of all of the papers you mail to the IRS (your forms and payment) and keep those for your records. (This is very important in case you receive letters from the IRS about your taxes in the future.)

Image: 401(K) 2012

How to Address an Envelope in the USA

February 1, 2022 – 12:04 pm

The way people address mail around the world varies. Here is an example to show you where to put the information when you are sending mail in the United States.

Other Mail Tips:

Use permanent ink, no pencil.
Print clearly and neatly.
Never mail cash. Money orders and checks are safer options.
Postage stamps can be purchased at the post office and some grocery stores. Your host parents may have a stamp they can give you.
One “Forever” stamp is enough to send a standard envelope with several sheets of paper inside anywhere within the U.S.
You place your stamped envelope in any big blue mailbox you see around town or at the post office. Find nearby post offices HERE.
Expect that it can take up to 5 days for regular mail to arrive. If you need to get something sent more quickly, look into faster options (Priority Mail, 2-Day UPS, FedEx).

What is a “self-addressed, stamped envelope”?

When you mail your DS-2019 in for travel validation, the first option is to send a self-addressed, stamped envelope. That means an envelope where you have written yourself as the delivery address and put a stamp on it. This allows them to sign your form and put it right into that envelope and send it back to you. This option is great when you send in your DS-2109 at least 3-4 weeks before your trip. If you have less time than that, you should select the 2-Day UPS option and pay the $15 to make sure you get it back in time.

Au Pair Tax Info

February 22, 2016 – 7:13 pm

At our last Cluster Meeting we discussed taxes. Here are some reminders:

Who is supposed to file taxes? – All au pairs who made $4000 or more in the calendar year (Jan 1 – Dec 31.) Au pairs who made less than $4000, are not required to file a tax return for 2015.

Will all au pairs have to pay something? – No, it depends on when you arrived and how much money you earned last year.

When are 2015 taxes due? – April 15, 2016

Where can I get the tax form? – 1040NR-EZ Form

Where can I get the instruction booklet? – 1040NR-EZ Booklet

Where can I get detailed information on filing my taxes? – APIA Tax Info for Au Pairs

Where can I see a sample au pair tax form? – Sample Completed Tax Form

Where should I mail my tax return form?
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 1303
Charlotte, NC 28201-1303

How do I write a check or money order? – Check here

How do I address an envelope? – Check here

Tax Information for Au Pairs

March 15, 2015 – 12:23 am

taxes-pic

We have been talking about taxes at our Coffee Meetings since January and the deadline for filing is approaching.

Here are some of the basic questions:

Who is supposed to file taxes? – All au pairs who made $3950 or more in the calendar year (Jan 1 – Dec 31.) Au pairs who made less than $3950, are not required to file a tax return for 2014.