Tag Archives: US

How to Write a Check or Money Order

This question comes up from time to time and with the tax deadline approaching, I thought I would post a link with a great step by step tutorial.  Click on the image of a check below to go to the tutorial on About.com.

write_a_check_step5_sign_memo

Remember: Use pen and don’t leave extra blank space where someone can make changes.

If you don’t have a checking account and need to make a payment by check, you have two other options: money order or cashier’s check (bank check.) Money orders are available for purchase at your bank, the post office or the customer service desk of some retail stores (CVS, Safeway, WalMart.) You will be charged a small fee, $1.50-$5.  Money orders need to be paid for with cash (not credit cards.) You will fill out the money order similarly to a check and keep your receipt portion for your records.

If you are paying your taxes:

  • Make check or money order payable to “United States Treasury.”
  • Write this info somewhere on the check:
    • Your full name
    • Your address and phone number
    • Your Social Security Number
    • 2015 Form 1040 NR-EZ
  • Mail your tax forms (keep copies for your records) and payment to:

Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 1303
Charlotte, NC 28201–1303
U.S.A.

How to Address an Envelope

This is another common question, since the way people address mail around the world varies.  Here is an image of where to put the information when you are sending mail in the United States.

How to Address a Letter from the US Postal Service

How to Address a Letter from the US Postal Service

Here is the address to mail your tax return to:
Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 1303
Charlotte, NC 28201–1303
U.S.A.

Travel Outside of the U.S.

Passport_stamps_18-19

If you are planning to travel outside the U.S. during your first year, your DS 2019 will need a travel validation signature.  See “Travel Links for Au Pairs” on the side of this page for link to the Travel Validation Request Form. At least 3 weeks before you travel, you should print this form and send it along with your original DS-2019 form and a self-addressed stamped envelope (so your signed DS 2019 may be returned to you) to the following address.

Au Pair in America
River Plaza
9 West Broad Street
Stamford, CT 06902
Attn.: Evelyn Blum

You will also need to check whether you need a visa to enter the country you intend to visit. I have a link for Visiting Canada. Other countries requirements can be found by doing a Google search such as “visitor requirement Mexico.”  Obtaining a tourist visa is solely the responsibility of the au pair.

Extension Au Pairs: In your extension year, travel outside the U.S. is restricted. Please contact me before making any plans to travel outside the U.S. in your extension year.

Have a great trip!

Naval Academy Football Game

 On Saturday, November 13 we joined an au pair cluster from Virginia for a Naval Academy Football game against Central Michigan.  For most of the au pairs, it was their first America football game.  I think many of them felt like I did… It was great in the beginning with the midshipmen marching on the field, the band performing and the jet flyover.  It was exciting at the end, because the game went down to the final seconds and almost went into overtime. The middle however, went on a bit long for my liking.  But, that’s football for you.

Here are a few pictures.  You can find even more in our cluster photobucket album.

                 

It was a close game and went down to the last few seconds, but Navy won by 1 point!