(Q): becoming a Colorado resident
Martin Siefert
Gentlemen:
I am currently an employee with a computer company here in Littleton,
CO.
This employment is part of my study back in Germany. I have to do this
internship (6 months period) to finish my degree in Computer Science
back
in Germany.
For personal reasons I'd like to finish my degree here in Colorado.
Hopefully you can give me some answerers to questions I have.
1. Is it possible to become a Colorado Resident if you are not an US
citizen?
2. Are there ways to finish my degree in Colorado without beeing a
student
in Germany?
e.g. Full time employment with a company and take evening-classes for
a
masters degree?
3. What are the requirements to become a Colorado Resident?
4. Are there ways for the company I work for to have me as a
full employee?
I hope you can give me some answerers or maybe more informations about
this
issue.
If you need more details please feel free to drop me a line to my email
address: mar...@aritek.com
Sincerely,
Martin Siefert
THealy CPA
Martin asked:
<<I am currently an employee with a computer company here in Littleton,
CO.
This employment is part of my study back in Germany. I have to do this
internship (6 months period) to finish my degree in Computer Science
back
in Germany.
For personal reasons I'd like to finish my degree here in Colorado.
Hopefully you can give me some answerers to questions I have.
1. Is it possible to become a Colorado Resident if you are not an US
citizen?>>
I assume this is for in-state tuition purposes. If you are able to get a
"green card" so that you become a "resident alien," you would be able to become
a Colorado resident. I have two clients who are German nationals, who have
resided here (in Boulder) for quite a few years.
<<2. Are there ways to finish my degree in Colorado without beeing a
student
in Germany?
e.g. Full time employment with a company and take evening-classes for
a
masters degree?>>
Yes. Several colleges and universities in the area have evening classes that
accomplish just such a plan. I suggest you look at Regis University's School
for Professional Studies. They have accelerated courses that meet for 5-8
weeks, 1 or 2 evenings per week. I taught for them for quite a few years in
the 1980's. Some employers will even pay the tuition for you.
<<3. What are the requirements to become a Colorado Resident?>>
You are automatically a Colorado resident if you work and live here. You are
supposed to get a Colorado driver's license and register your car here within
30 days. For in-state tuition purposes at state colleges and universities, you
need to work here for a year before you qualify, and you need to file Colorado
income tax returns.
<<4. Are there ways for the company I work for to have me as a
full employee?>>
That depends on whether you can get a work permit on your visa (a "green
card"). If the employer wants you badly enough, they'll help you get the visa.
Incidentally, once you are a "resident alien" of the United States, you need
to report your worldwide income on your US and Colorado income tax returns. If
you also pay tax on any of the income in Germany, that will reduce your US tax.
As a "nonresident alien," you report only your US-connected income to the US
and Colorado. It's important to check the type of income you have against the
US-German tax treaty; some types are exempt from taxation.
Tom
Solving your tax and business problems with
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Tom Healy @ Thomas E. Healy, CPA, PC