The following email was sent to Berkeley postdocs and students on 2 Feb 2007, explaining how to get free tax software for 2007. It may be relevant in future years as well:

Dear Postdocs and Visiting Scholars,

If you were present in the United States between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2006, you are required to file tax forms with the Federal government. This rule applies whether or not you earned income in 2006. To assist you with this, Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) has purchased CINTAX, a user friendly tax preparation software, created specifically for international students and scholars. The CINTAX program will help you navigate U.S. federal tax forms, residency status, tax treaties, exemptions, and deductions.

SISS is providing CINTAX to current UC Berkeley international students, visiting scholars, Berkeley students on OPT or Academic Training, and international alumni. It is being made available at no cost to you and accessible online from around the world. SISS will not make available any Federal or State paper tax forms at the SISS office or at any of the workshops we will be offering. SISS cannot answer any tax questions but we can refer you to the CINTAX program and CINTAX customer assistance.

To use CINTAX you will need to obtain an Access Code from SISS. To get your Access Code, please follow these steps:

1. Send an email to siss@berkeley.edu
2. In the subject line, enter CINTAX Access Code Request
3. If you are a STUDENT, request the Access Code in the email and include your name and student ID number.
4. If you are a VISITING SCHOLAR, request the Access Code in the email and include your name and sevis ID number (upper right corner of your DS-2019).

SISS will reply with an email containing your Access Code. To protect your personal information, keep your Access Code confidential.

To access CINTAX go to http://www.cintax.us. You will need to create a user account by entering your Access Code. Please be sure to enter your Access Code accurately. Before using CINTAX, make sure you have all W-2 or 1042s from places of employment in 2006.

To learn more about CINTAX, you are encouraged to attend one of our Cintax information workshops. At the March and April workshops, a California Tax Franchise Board will be available to answer your questions regarding state tax:

• Wednesday, February 21 2-4pm I House Sproul Rooms
• Thursday, March 15 10-12noon I House Auditorium
• Thursday, April 5 2-4pm I House Auditorium

If you have any questions about the tax process, please call the Services for International Students and Scholars Office at 510.642.2818 or e-mail them at siss@berkeley.edu.

Sam Castañeda, Director
Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs (VSPA) Program
University of California, Berkeley
699 Barrows Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-2572