Tax Treaty Memo from Payroll

Dec. 06, 2011

Brandeis Payroll Office Guidance on Completing Tax Treaty Forms for 2012


Please see below for memo from Brandeis Payroll Office.  If you have any questions, contact Payroll, not the ISSO.

Treaty Benefits:  Per IRS regulations, if you wish to claim treaty benefits beginning January 1, 2012, you must sign a new Form 8233 and /or W-8BEN. Tax forms for 2012 will be available for your signature on Wednesday December 7th  and Thursday, December 8th on the second floor of 60 Turner Street between the hours of 2-4PM.

Please be advised that if you are currently being paid by Brandeis University, and have an active treaty in our system, we are able to produce Form 8233, W8-BEN and W-4 for 2012 without having you complete a new Foreign Information Form. Please note that treaties signed after December 17, 2011 will not be processed in time for the first payroll cycle in January 2012. Any taxes that are withheld as a result of not singing the treaty will not be refunded. Rather, you may request a refund when you file your 2012 personal tax return with the IRS. 

If you have not applied for treaty benefits previously, but want to apply for 2012, you will have to complete a Foreign National Information Form which is available on our website at http://www.brandeis.edu/financialaffairs/forms/payroll-forms.html. You must also attach a copy of your I-94 Form, a copy of your US visa, passport, and I-20 or IAP66. The Payroll Office will process your forms, produce an 8233 Form, W-4 and/or W8-BEN for the new calendar year and contact you to sign the new forms. You will receive an e-mail once your paperwork has been analyzed to determine if you are treaty eligible.

Please note that if you have previously applied for treaty benefits and were not eligible, do not submit a new Foreign Information Form, or come to sign new forms for 2012.  Taxes will be withheld as they were in 2011.

As always, please notify the payroll office of any change in your immigration status and of any extensions to your visa.

Please contact the Payroll Office at 6-4454, 6-4475 or 6-4476 if you have any questions. Thank you for your cooperation!