By Colter Hettich, Features Editor

Dread and anxiety tend to surface in the United States every year as the country approaches its tax deadline on April 15. International, university students are no exception.

To help them out, International Student Services will provide a workshop where international students at ACU can get all of their questions answered. The date of the workshop is yet to be announced.

Years ago, Laura Blake, international student services coordinator, saw the students’ unfamiliarity with the U.S. tax system and difficulty with crunching the numbers.

“Students used to come by my office, one at a time, and I would help them sort out their tax return,” Blake said. “Most of them have a fairly basic return.”

But the appointments became too numerous, and Blake decided to collectively help anyone that needed it. She started the ISA tax return workshop.

“It’s just a simple time to help international students file their tax returns. I just help walk them through it line by line,” Blake said.

Traditionally, Blake leads the workshop by herself, though she has had a couple of helpers in the past.

If a student makes less than $3,300 dollars in a year, he or she does not have to pay any taxes but can still get refund, Blake said. Most of them already have received the W2 forms for 2007.

A large percentage of international students at ACU work on campus as part of a work/study program. All of those working on campus are required by law to only work part-time.

For some, a part-time job slides right into their schedule and provides what they need to live. For others, life requires multiple jobs, perhaps even working off campus.

Economic hardship work authorization targets international university students that are eligible to request off-campus work because of unforeseen financial needs. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 refined the definition of economic hardship, attempting to make it easier for students to receive help.

Once authorized, the student does not have to reapply or adhere to any time limitations – as long as the student can demonstrate financial need.

As the dreaded April 15 inches closer, only a few students who received scholarships or economic hardship have still not received a 1042.

Blake said she is trying to wait until most students have all of the forms they need. She expects the workshop to take place in mid to late March.