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Summer NRA Training Session

August 5 - 8, 2008
Hilton Boston/Dedham
Dedham, Massachusetts

Table of Contents:

Introduction

This training session addresses the often confusing and complex U.S. tax residency rules and the underlying immigration categories on which they are based. Prior to the main program, an optional afternoon session is offered on Tuesday for those who are new to the International Tax Navigator® or would like a refresher course.

The seminar provides:

Hands-on training on an easy-to-use, PC-based software solution that puts the expertise to comply with these complex rules into the hands of those responsible for NRA tax compliance.
Each registrant will have the use of a personal computer for all hands-on sessions.
Continuing education accreditation.
Free copy of the following Tax Guides from Windstar Publishing to be used as course textbooks as well as "A Guide To Selected U.S. Travel / Identity Documents For Law Enforcement Officers" prepared by the U.S. INS:
- A Guide for Filing IRS Forms 1042 and 1042-S (list price - $125.00)
- Tax Treaty Benefits for Foreign Nationals Performing U.S. Services (list price - $189.00)

Our Objectives

To identify what immigration categories and their related documents authorize payments to foreign nationals and how foreign nationals’ current and past immigration categories and U.S. days of presence determine U.S. tax residency.
To apply federal tax rules for determining the character and source of income and determine appropriated tax withholding and reporting documents based on U.S. tax residency of the income recipient and type of payment.
To determine the conditions that must be met by foreign nationals claiming exemptions from tax under income tax treaty provisions and the withholding documents required for exemption based on the payment.
To apply the International Tax Navigator® functionality to:
1) collect relevant immigration status and U.S. presence data
2) determine residency status
3) determine availability of treaty benefits on a case-by-case basis
4) complete required withholding documents for signature by income recipients
5) complete IRS reporting documents

Who Should Attend?

Tax managers and NRA tax administrators, controllers, directors, managers, and administrators responsible for international student programs, financial aid, payroll and accounts payable, and all others who need information on tax compliance and tax treaty exemptions for income payments to foreign persons and foreign entities.

Tuesday afternoon, August 5, 2008

9:30 – 10:30	Registration
10:30 – 12:00	Immigration Documentation
Presenter:	Terri Crowl
	Recognizing and Interpreting Immigration Documentation Who Gets What and Why? Key Features of Documents Coordinating Immigration and Other Documentation Importance of Maintaining Records of Immigration and Other Documents
12:00 - 1:00	Lunch provided by Windstar
1:00 - 2:30	Overview and Getting Started with Tax Navigator
Presenter:	Scott Annis & Paula Singer
	Why are we here? Rules & regulations Tax Residency, what is it? Treaty Benefits 101 IRS forms
2:30 - 2:50	Break provided by Windstar
2:50 - 4:00	Tax Navigator Basics and Case Studies
Presenters:	Scott Annis & Terri Crowl
	Quick overview of entire Tax Navigator System before going into specific functions Adding an Individual’s Record Using Your Sample Database Changing an Individual’s Data Deleting an Individual’s Record or Data Navigating Through the Basic Screens Understanding Reports
4:00 - 4:15	Break provided by Windstar
4:15 - 5:00	Tax Navigator Basics and Case Studies (Continued)
	How to Enter and Change Immigration Information Immigration Status and “Primary Purpose” Performing the Substantial Presence Test Understanding the Logs Where Did My Forms Go? Entering Income Information Types of Income Scholarships Employment Compensation The Treaty Analysis and Reports Reading the Logs

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

7:30 - 8:30	Continental Breakfast provided by Windstar
8:30 - 10:00	Immigration Basics for Payroll Professionals
Presenter:	Linda Dodd-Major
	Definitions and Concepts Common Points of Confusion Understanding the Process Alien Visitors The Many Faces of J-1 Work Authorization Aliens and TINs The “no-match” Issue Prohibited payments
10:00 - 10:20	Break provided by Windstar
10:20 - 12:00	How Options and Settings Affect Results
Presenter:	Gary Singer
	Setting Up Your Institution Setting Your Defaults SPT Treaty Forms Sending Data to Windstar
12:00 - 1:00	Lunch provided by Windstar
1:00 - 2:30	Scholarships, Fellowships and Employment Income
Presenter:	Paula Singer
	Scholarships, Fellowships, and Stipends Qualified (Nontaxable) Candidate for a Degree Defined Nonqualified (Taxable) Travel Grants Withholding - Tax Rates and Exceptions Withholding Allowances (Deductions) Forms and TIN Issues Form 1042-S Reporting Employment Income Form I-9 Information NRA Withholding Rules NRA Form W-4 NRA FICA Exception Student FICA Exception SSN Issues Form W-2 vs. Form 1042-S
2:30 - 2:50	Break provided by Windstar
2:50 - 4:00	Identify the Payee
Presenter:	Gary Singer & Paula Singer
	NRA or RA? Green Card Test Substantial Presence Test Days That Do Not Count Rules for “Exempt Individuals” Residency Start and End Dates Residency Elections
4:00 - 4:15	Break provided by Windstar
4:15 - 5:00	Hands-On: Determining Tax Residency
Presenter:	Gary Singer
	Entering and Changing Immigration Information Dealing With Holiday and Vacation Days Away Performing the Substantial Presence Test Redoing Analyses Electing Residency Status Dealing With Changes in Immigration Status Residency Start and End Dates Residency Analysis Options Reading the Status Reports
5:30 - 10:00	Windstar Special Event
	Old Town Trolley Tours! Windstar will be providing free tour of historic Boston with Old Town Trolley Tours. Leaving directly from the Hilton Boston/Dedham (only eight miles from downtown Boston), attendees will have a four-hour guided tour of the sites of the city. Included in the tour will be a 1 1/2 hour stop for shopping and dining at historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace. The tour is free to our attendees and $35.00 for family and friends (first come, first serve for first 35 attendees who sign up)!!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

7:30 - 8:30	Continental Breakfast provided by Windstar
8:30 - 9:30	Windstar Solutions – Tax Navigator Overview
Presenter:	Scott Annis
	Windstar® Support On-line Training Windstar User’s Guide Windstar Quick Starts Windstar Users’ Website Windstarusers listserv Problem Resolution – FTP Email Support Windstar® Solutions International Tax Navigator® FNIS-Web-based Data Collection/Forms Delivery Security Administrator Utilities-Archiving, Databases, Exporting New Hires 1042-S Annual Processor Batch Processor Treaty Navigator Interfaces
9:30 - 10:00	Introduction to Income Tax Treaties
Presenter:	Paula Singer
	What Treaties Do When Treaties Come Into Force Upcoming Tax Treaties and Protocols What Taxes Are Covered Who Can Have Treaty Benefits How Treaty Benefits Are Lost How Treaty Benefits Are Preserved Withholding and Reporting Forms
10:00 - 10:20	Break provided by Windstar
10:20 - 12:00	Treaty Benefits and Limitations
Presenter:	Terri Crowl
	Benefits and Limitations Required Payer Maximum Amounts Treaty Benefit Periods Benefits and Limitations for: Students Professors, Teachers, Researchers Independent Contractors Artists and Athletes Prizes and Awards Royalties Foreign Entities Withholding and Reporting Forms
12:00 - 1:00	Lunch provided by Windstar
1:00 - 1:30	Hands-On: Year-Data Screen and Treaty Analysis Examples
Presenter:	Gary Singer
	Entering Income Data What To Do When There Are No U.S. Days Computing Withholding Allowances Personal Exemption Amount Rev. Proc. 88-24-Travel Reimbursements Performing the Treaty Analysis Dealing With Out of System Payments Dealing with Associated Institutions Determining the “Primary Purpose” for the Visit Students J-1 Non-students H-1B Specialty Workers Reading the Treaty Analysis Log Redoing the Analysis TIN Issues Required Forms (8233, W-8BEN, W-9)
1:30 - 2:30	Accounts Payable Issues
Presenter:	Terri Crowl & Paula Singer
	The Framework for A/P Payments to NRAs and Foreign Entities Valid Documentation – Form W-8 series, Form 8233, Form W-9 and When to Use Them What to do When Documentation Is Lacking Or Invalid Issues: Royalties vs. Services Bundled Payments Travel Reimbursements
2:30 - 2:50	Break provided by Windstar
2:50 - 4:00	Considerations When Creating Policies and Procedures – Part 1
Presenter:	Terri Crowl
	Ensuring You’re Kept In The Loop Campus Liaisons/Who to Have In Your Corner and How to Get Them There Gathering Basic Information What Documentation to Collect for Common Payment Types
4:00 – 4:15	Break provided by Windstar
4:15 – 5:00	Considerations When Creating Policies and Procedures – Part 2
Presenter:	Terri Crowl
	Continuation of Part 1 Class Examples
Friday, August 8, 2008
7:30 - 8:30	Continental Breakfast provided by Windstar

CONCURRENT SESSIONS ALL FRIDAY
8:30 - 10:00	HANDS-ON: Web-Based Data Collection and Forms Delivery (FNIS) - Part 1
Presenter:	Scott Annis
	Use and Flow Administrative Functions - Part 1 Foreign National Functions

8:30 - 10:00	LECTURE: Honoraria and Service Fees
Presenters:	Linda Dodd-Major
	B Honorarium Payments “Usual academic activities” 9/5/6 Rule Other recipients of “honoraria” - H-1Bs, J-1s, O-1s, etc. Withholding and Reporting TIN issues
10:00 - 10:20	Break provided by Windstar

10:20 – 12:00	HANDS-ON: Web-Based Data Collection and Forms Delivery (FNIS) – Part 2
Presenter:	Scott Annis
	Administrative Functions – Part 2 Advanced Features Email Options Forms Delivery

10:20 – 12:00	LECTURE: Introduction to Information Reporting
Presenter:	Gary Singer
12:00 - 1:00	Lunch provided by Windstar

1:00 – 2:30	HANDS-ON: Batch Processing Year-end
Presenter:	Gary Singer
	Substantial Presence Test (SPT) in Batch Treaty Analysis in Batch Reports on Changes 8843 Special Batches Interface Batches

1:00 – 2:30	LECTURE: Payments to Foreign Entities
Presenter:	Paula Singer
	Steps to Follow Identify the vendor as US or foreign Identify the character of the income Determine the “source of income” Withholding certificates and their use W-8BEN W-8EXP W-8ECI

End of Program

Continuing Education

CPE credits - 27

Maximum Credit Hours: (based on a 50 minute credit hour)

CEU credits - 2.3

Maximum Credit Hours: (based on a 60 minute credit hour) .1 CEU is awarded for each hour of participation

RCH credits - 23

Maximum Credit Hours: (based on a 60 minute credit hour)

Field of Study: Taxes
Prerequisite: Those new to Tax Navigator software need to attend the Beginner session, Tuesday afternoon.
Level of Knowledge: Intermediate
Teaching Method: Group-Live, Hands-on Computer Instruction
Advance Preparation: Some experience with Tax Navigator software or attendance at Beginner session

Upon successful completion, attendees will receive a certificate of completion.

For information regarding administrative policies such as complaint and refunds contact our office at:
Email: training@windstar.com or
Phone: 781-551-5858 or 800-259-6398

Windstar Technologies, Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the:
National Registry of CPE Sponsors
150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700
Nashville, TN 37219-2417
Web site: www.nasba.org

Windstar Technologies, Inc. is an Authorized CEU Sponsor and is entitled to use the certification mark of the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Windstar Technologies, Inc. is an Authorized RCH (Recertification Credit Hours) Sponsor and is entitled to use the certification mark of the American Payroll Association (APA).

Faculty

Gary Singer is a computer systems specialist and co-founder of Windstar Technologies, Inc., which develops and distributes software for nonresident alien tax compliance and case-by-case tax treaty analysis. Gary has over 30 years of experience designing, developing and managing complex computer software applications. Since 1994, he has devoted his attention to providing a software solution for nonresident alien tax compliance and tax treaty analyses for administrators making payments to foreign nationals and foreign entities.

Paula Singer, Esq. has advised individuals and businesses on tax planning and compliance for individuals relocating internationally since 1979. She is a partner in the tax law firm, Vacovec, Mayotte & Singer, and co-founder of Windstar Technologies, Inc. Paula concentrates her practice on cross border tax and legal matters for individuals and businesses. In 1995, she assisted the IRS with the design of the Form 1040NR-EZ Tax Return. Prior to entering law, Paula was a software developer for 10 years. She frequently lectures on international tax matters and has published numerous articles on international tax topics. In 2000, the founders of Windstar Technologies Inc. launched Windstar Publishing, Inc. Windstar Publishing produces an easy to understand series of books under the collective title U.S. Tax Guides for Foreign Persons and Those Who Pay Them by Paula Singer.

Linda Dodd-Major is an attorney providing strategic consulting for U.S. immigration matters pertaining to business, investment, employment, and training as well as employment eligibility verification (Form I-9) compliance. Linda was nationally known for many years as creator and director of the INS’ Office of Business Liaison, in which capacity she was responsible for developing public information to raise awareness and understanding of laws prohibiting illegal employment and obtaining international services in the U.S. Her expertise involves conversion of complex, interrelated laws, regulations, policies, and procedures into practical options for lay as well as legal communities. A popular national and international lecturer, she focuses on key interrelationships among the overlapping, intersecting, and interdependent jurisdictions of many U.S. government and other entities including the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice (Office of Special Counsel), State, Commerce, Labor, Treasury and Defense as well as the IRS and Social Security Administration. Linda holds advanced degrees in law and international business from Rutgers and Georgetown Universities.

Scott Annis, Director of Technical Services for Windstar Technologies, Inc., manages the technical hardware and software support for all of the Windstar Technologies Inc.products and its clients. In addition, Scott has developed custom software applications as well as custom client reports for Windstar products. During this session, Scott will concentrate on the technical aspects of implementing the International Tax Navigator®, mail merge, crystal reports and interfacing issues.

Terri Crowl has been working in the field of nonimmigrant taxation since the early 1990s, and joined the Windstar Technologies staff on a full time basis as Senior Product Support Analyst in March, 2007. In her current role, she assists clients with the Tax Navigator product including treaty analysis, processing procedures, system function analysis and product and tax issue training. She has been part of the Windstar staff on a part-time basis since 2001, and most recently served as the International Tax Coordinator at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, where she oversaw all payments made by the university to nonimmigrants and ensured proper tax reporting and withholding. At Mason Terri provided tax preparation workshops for its nonresident alien population. In addition to Mason and Windstar training sessions, Terri has been a presenter at two International Tax Summits at St. Norbert College and at the Region VIII NAFSA conference.

Registration

August 5th:
Optional Beginner session
$350
(This can only be taken along with NRA Tax Training)

August 6th – August 8th

Early Bird Registration Rate – if paid by June 30, 2008
NRA Tax Training
$1,350 for the first attendee from an institution
$1,200 for the second and subsequent attendees

Regular Registration Rate – if paid after June 30, 2008
NRA Tax Training
$1,450 for the first attendee from an institution
$1,300 for the second and subsequent attendees

CLICK HERE to register.

Cancellation Policy

If you transfer your registration to a future session within two weeks prior to the training program date, you will be responsible for a $250 administrative fee. If you cancel your registration within two weeks prior to the training program date, you will be responsible for a $500 administrative fee.

For information regarding our cancellation policy contact our office at:
Email: training@windstar.com or
Phone: 781-551-5858 or 800-259-6398

Hotel Information

Hilton Boston/Dedham
25 Allied Drive
Dedham, Massachusetts
781-329-7900

The Hilton Boston/Dedham is located just 12 miles from the heart of downtown Boston. In-room amenities include: 450 square feet of space, Suite Dreams Mattress, feather bed, marble bathroom, bath products from Crabtree & Evelyn's La Source bath amenities, and high speed Internet connection. In addition, the hotel has over two miles of walking trails on property and includes tennis and racquetball courts.

A special discounted room rate of $119 (plus tax) per night for a single or double room is available by booking online or calling the Hilton Boston/Dedham directly at 781-329-7900 before July 14th. Mention you are with the Windstar Technologies training to receive the discount.

Transportation

Vehicle Transportation

The Hilton Boston/Dedham is easily accessible via car or the MBTA’s Dedham Corporate Commuter rail stop. Information on both options is below.

By Car:
Windstar has secured discounted transportation rates between Boston’s Logan International and the Hilton Boston/Dedham. Contact information for the providers is below:

Weldon Coach
Private Lincoln towncar - pick up at Logan - nonstop.
$65.00 one way all inclusive per car for maximum of 3 people with luggage.
Need to reserve in advance:
Call 617-928-1888 or 888-666-7077 to make a reservation.
Please mention you are attending training with Windstar Technologies.

A&T Taxi and Car Service
$63.00 one way per car for maximum of 3 people with luggage.
Need to reserve in advance:
Call 781- 821-9400 to make a reservation.
Please mention you are attending training with Windstar Technologies.

U.S. Car Service
$58 one way per person plus discretionary gratuity Need to reserve at least 1 day in advance by calling 617-460-5538.
Please mention you are attending training with Windstar Technologies.
Maximum of 4 people per car.

For driving directions please visit the hotel’s website.

The hotel offers complimentary parking for guests and conference attendees.

By Train:

The Hilton Boston/Dedham is located within walking distance of the MBTA’s Dedham Corporate Commuter Rail stop. Please call the hotel directly at 781-329-7900 for more information on this option.

For More Information

For information on happenings in the Greater Boston area, click on www.bostonusa.com.

Contact our offices at:

Windstar Technologies, Inc.
P.O.Box 800
1400 Providence Highway
Building 3, Suite 3250
Norwood MA 02062-0800
Phone: 781-551-5858 or 800-259-6398
Fax: 781-551-0808
Email: training@windstar.com

Nonresident Alien Tax Training

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