专栏 | 学期过半，ISSO“拍了拍”哥大国际学生，并提醒你查收四月To-Do List

The deadline for filing your 2022 tax returns is April 18, 2023. You have to file your tax before this date if you had income in 2022.

IRS also requires Form 8843 from all Fs and Js who were nonresident aliens for federal tax purposes and were physically in the U.S. at any time in 2022. If you didn’t have income in 2022, you can mail your paper IRS form 8843 by June 15, 2023.

Read more here: 

http://bit.ly/issotaxinfo

In case you missed the Sprintax Webinar or want to refresh your memory, watch the recording in the ISSO Video Library: https://bit.ly/sprintaxvideo

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. Read more on our web page and watch the recording of our OPT webinar: 

http://bit.ly/postcompopt

Academic Training is a benefit of J-1 student status that allows you to work for the purpose of applying knowledge and skills learned during your program of study. Graduating students in J-1 status whose DS-2019 was issued by Columbia and are interested in Academic Training (AT) should review the information on the AT webpage here: http://bit.ly/issoj1at. Other J-1 students should contact their J-1 sponsor for information.

这类诈骗正在发生，亟须警惕！

近日，哥伦比亚大学以及美国各地的国际学生和学者们频繁成为一些诈骗犯的目标。骗子们花样百出的诈骗行为让人防不胜防——他们利用社交媒体和短信来行骗，例如在GroupMe、WhatsApp等APP上发送消息，假装提供音乐会和其他场所的折扣门票。诈骗犯还会从社交媒体平台下载照片，伪装成哥大的附属机构、制作伪造的电子邮箱地址来获取信任，实施诈骗行为。

ISSO特此提醒大家，千万不要在私下或群发消息时向任何人透露任何个人或财务信息。如果你已掉入陷阱，请立即联系哥大公共安全部门：212-854-2797。

此外，还有常见的诈骗套路包括提醒你缴纳税款，针对移民身份或签证业务要求你提供信息，或者说你的SSN身份被盗，需要核实，以及向你提供虚假就业机会等。

因此，千万不要回复那些“不请自来”的offers！不要成为下一个受害者！做好防御，看看这些实用的反诈指南吧：

· 消费者反诈指南

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

· 获取反诈信息，了解最新骗术

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

· FBI科普帖：常见的诈骗和网络钓鱼骗术

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

前往ISSO的“反诈”网站，了解更多信息：

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

This is really happening so be careful! Scammers use social media, text, and messaging apps like GroupMe, WhatsApp, etc. offering discount tickets to concerts and other venues. Scammers are also using photos of Columbia affiliates found on social media, and email addresses to gain trust in committing the fraud. 

Do not give out any personal or financial information to anyone in private or group messaging. If you believe you have been a victim of this scam, contact CU Public Safety 212-854-2797.

In addition, 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

As you approach the end of the semester and the academic year, keep the following in mind:

· IRS Form 8843 must be mailed by June 15th. Students in F/J status who are nonresidents for federal tax purposes and had no US income in 2022 have one tax form they need to complete and mail to the IRS. Complete Form 8843 for free when you log in to Sprintax nonresident software from our website (http://bit.ly/nonrestaxreturn) with your UNI and password. It will generate a completed form for you to download, print, sign and mail. It's a paper only form so mail it before you leave the U.S.

· Travel Documents: If you're leaving the US this summer and will be returning in F/J student status, be sure to check our Documents Needed for Travel page (http://bit.ly/stutravel) before you leave.

· If you're graduating in May, congratulations! Be sure to check out our Your Final Term and Beyond page for deadlines and other important information. 

· Donating Clothing and Household Items: Do you have clothing or other items you no longer need? Donate them to a thrift store (Salvation Army, Goodwill, Housing Works, Beacon's Closet, Buffalo Exchange).

如果你将在今年5月或12月毕业，ISSO邀请你参与线上活动，由美国移民律师Suzanne Seltzer介绍国际学生毕业后就业签证的选择和申请问题。

活动时间：

2023年4月26日，6:00PM-7:00PM（纽约时间）

2023年11月9日，6:00PM-7:00PM（纽约时间）

活动报名请前往：

https://isso.columbia.edu/glass

Immigration attorney Suzanne Seltzer will discuss post-graduation employment-based visa options after F/J student status during this ISSO sponsored webinar. The information is most relevant to students graduating in May 2023 and December 2023. Registration links will be added to the GLASS webpage as they are made available.

· Spring 2023: 

Wednesday, April 26th at 6pm on Zoom 

· Fall 2023: 

Thursday, Nov. 9th at 6pm on Zoom

Learn more and RSVP on the GLASS webpage: 

https://isso.columbia.edu/glass