Taxes

Taxes are involuntary fees attached to wages and goods by federal, state and local governments in the United States.

Children’s Mercy cannot advise on tax-related issues.

Sales tax

Most cities/states have retail sales tax. The price you see listed on the item you buy will not be the final price. A tax will be added to the price when you check out. Sales tax varies, but typically it is around 8 percent depending on the item and the jurisdiction where it is purchased.

Income tax

Payments, such as paychecks, made to nonresident aliens are taxable unless specifically exempt from tax by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code or a tax treaty. Visa holders are not permanent residents but may be considered tax residents. If a visa holder is considered a tax resident, federal law requires the visa holder to file a United States tax return.

Where to find out what you need to know about your U.S. taxes

Refer to United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens.

Third-party resource

Foreign nationals with additional tax related questions are advised to contact a third-party tax advisor. H&R Block is not associated with Children’s Mercy but offers tax professionals that handle tax preparation needs.