专栏 | 新春已至，万象更新，ISSO为你带来第一手哥大资讯和福利

If you are completing your program at the end of the spring semester (Congratulations!), and are interested in pursuing employment in the U.S. it's time to learn about the Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 status and Academic Training (AT) for J-1 status. Start your preparation early!

• OPT is a benefit and extension of F-1 student status that allows you to work in your field of study for up to 12 months and is authorized by USCIS, the immigration agency. There will be a webinar in February in which an ISSO advisor will discuss eligibility requirements and application procedures for F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization after your graduation. Find a time that works for you! Register and read more about OPT on the ISSO website here:

  http://bit.ly/postcompopt 

• Academic Training is a benefit of J-1 student status that allows you to work —either paid or unpaid — for the purpose of applying knowledge and skills learned during your program of study. Graduating students in J-1 status interested in Academic Training (AT) should review the information on the AT webpage here:

  http://bit.ly/issoj1at

It's never too early to understand your US tax obligations and be prepared for the 2022 tax season (February to April 2023)! ISSO covers the cost of federal nonresident forms and tax returns for students and scholars in F and J status when they log into Sprintax through the ISSO website with their UNI and password. Individuals who need a state tax return as well can choose to use Sprintax for an individual fee. 

Sprintax will host tax webinars to provide information on the nonresident tax filing process for Columbia international students and scholars in F/J status (RSVPs listed on our nonresident tax page: http://bit.ly/nonrestaxreturn).

● Monday, February 27 from 2-3 PM ET

● Wednesday, March 29 from 3-4 PM ET

To start, watch this short video (featuring real Columbia international students) for a brief introduction of US taxes: https://bit.ly/taxbasicsvid and get familiar with our tax webpages:

https://isso.columbia.edu/content/taxes

To learn more about U.S. income taxes in general, read here: http://bit.ly/fjtaxbasics

前往ISSO的“反诈”网站，了解更多信息：

https://isso.columbia.edu/content/scams

International students and scholars at Columbia and across the U.S. report receiving fraudulent phishing emails and imposter phone calls demanding money for a variety of fake reasons. These include unpaid taxes, immigration status or visa problems, identity theft of their SSN, and recently, phony employment opportunities. Do not respond to unsolicited job offers! Don't be a victim! Do take the time to review these resources:

· Consumer Alerts

https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2022/04/its-financial-literacy-month-protect-yourself-scammers?utm_source=govdelivery

· Sign up for Consumer Alerts for information on the latest frauds and scams

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFTCCONSUMER/subscriber/new?topic_id=USFTCCONSUMER_8

· FBI: Common Scams with Spoofing and Phishing

https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/spoofing-and-phishing

Learn More on Our "Avoiding Scams" Webpage:

https://isso.columbia.edu/content/scams

沙菲克是在埃及出生的英裔美国人，是杰出的经济学家，同时也是伦敦政治经济学院（LSE）的现任校长。她极赋个人情怀、专业背景与国际视野，将成为首位领导哥伦比亚大学的女性。

https://news.columbia.edu/news/columbia-university-names-minouche-shafik-20th-president?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=neighbors11723

Shafik, an Egyptian-born British-American, is a leading economist and current president of the London School of Economics and Political Science with an international personal and professional background. She will be the first woman to lead Columbia University.

Learn more: https://news.columbia.edu/news/columbia-university-names-minouche-shafik-20th-president?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=neighbors11723