eb3_nepa
07-02 09:52 AM
Pro "LEGAL" Immigration. End of story.
wallpaper Where are the Rainforests?
eb3retro
09-11 11:48 PM
Folks,
We need to understand that we have chosen a tough but worthy effort in the form of this forum. As such it may be depressing to see the slow movement in DC.
We should not be setting ourselves some timelines like the ones stated in this email thread, and then feel depressed about seeing no positive results within that timeline...there are too many factors outside our control to do anything like that...
I think we are better off than we where we were last year, when the awareness was nil, and that backlog legislation only favored the RNs and the PTs, while we saw ourselves powerless...
Lets help the core team..and not get depressed over short timelines...I see light at the end of our efforts...may not be phenomenal..but I am sure it will make a difference...for each of us...
gc_mania_03
well said gcmania, I like your attitude.
We need to understand that we have chosen a tough but worthy effort in the form of this forum. As such it may be depressing to see the slow movement in DC.
We should not be setting ourselves some timelines like the ones stated in this email thread, and then feel depressed about seeing no positive results within that timeline...there are too many factors outside our control to do anything like that...
I think we are better off than we where we were last year, when the awareness was nil, and that backlog legislation only favored the RNs and the PTs, while we saw ourselves powerless...
Lets help the core team..and not get depressed over short timelines...I see light at the end of our efforts...may not be phenomenal..but I am sure it will make a difference...for each of us...
gc_mania_03
well said gcmania, I like your attitude.
boreal
06-07 03:16 PM
I dont like to give them publicity either but i think they cant be brushed off...many many activits there that participate in action items...for eg. look at the number of emails sent to the poor editor that bashed the founder...pretty enthusiastic outburst i would say! 'useless' term can be applied to their activity though..bunch of xenophobic losers targeting poor illegal and not-so-poor legal would-be immigrants and trying to spread false stories...Imagine, once they get wind of this bill, all they would focus is on the word 'exemption' and someone would come up with a cooked number, say a million or so green-cards increase per year and you know where this bill will end up after that.....all too familiar...
http://digg.com/politics/Exposing_anti_immigrant_nut
I realize that the article talks about illegal immigrants only, but no harm in exposing this nut!!
http://digg.com/politics/Exposing_anti_immigrant_nut
I realize that the article talks about illegal immigrants only, but no harm in exposing this nut!!
2011 Animals+of+the+rainforest
perm2gc
08-28 02:49 PM
DO we need the latest pay stubs to extend the h1b from company A? Since I'm working for company B now, I'm little confused.Yes ... may be once in a while they dont..
more...
GCeffect
02-09 05:22 AM
Last week i received a RFE against my I485 application. My PD is not current yet. I''m kind of confused about the RFE. I need some help from you guys...
Check out the RFE letter comment at the following:
"""""USCIS records indicate that you began your employment with compnay A in October 2005. However, the record indicates that the i-129, H1b, granting your authorization to work for company A was not filed until aug, 2006. Submit documentatary evidence that you were authorized to work for compnay A when you began your employment in Oct 2005.""""
Now let me explain my situation.
I had my first H1b from compnay B, for three years (oct 2002 to oct 2005). Then I started my renewed my H1b under another company C. (oct/2005 to oct 2008). Then i received my PERM labor from another company A (the company they USCIS mentioned in their RFE). Both the company C and compnay A was owned by one person. So even i was working with the company C, my payroll was under Company A. Right after I received my labor certificate from Compnay A, my lawyer suggested my transfer my H1b from Compnay C to company A. Then i received my h1b approval for compnay A in Jan 2007 to october 2008. In 0ctober 2008 i renewed my h1b from compnay A again for one year. But in november compnay A terminted me and withdraw my H1b. I got a new job and moved to a new compnay in december 2008. Everything is normal after that until i received the RFE. I have to get back to USCIS in by the end of this month with the evidence. I has the legal status all the time i worked for all those companies.
PLease let me know what you guys think about the whole situation.
Thanks ahead about your concern ......
EB3 (ROW)..PD May 2006
Check out the RFE letter comment at the following:
"""""USCIS records indicate that you began your employment with compnay A in October 2005. However, the record indicates that the i-129, H1b, granting your authorization to work for company A was not filed until aug, 2006. Submit documentatary evidence that you were authorized to work for compnay A when you began your employment in Oct 2005.""""
Now let me explain my situation.
I had my first H1b from compnay B, for three years (oct 2002 to oct 2005). Then I started my renewed my H1b under another company C. (oct/2005 to oct 2008). Then i received my PERM labor from another company A (the company they USCIS mentioned in their RFE). Both the company C and compnay A was owned by one person. So even i was working with the company C, my payroll was under Company A. Right after I received my labor certificate from Compnay A, my lawyer suggested my transfer my H1b from Compnay C to company A. Then i received my h1b approval for compnay A in Jan 2007 to october 2008. In 0ctober 2008 i renewed my h1b from compnay A again for one year. But in november compnay A terminted me and withdraw my H1b. I got a new job and moved to a new compnay in december 2008. Everything is normal after that until i received the RFE. I have to get back to USCIS in by the end of this month with the evidence. I has the legal status all the time i worked for all those companies.
PLease let me know what you guys think about the whole situation.
Thanks ahead about your concern ......
EB3 (ROW)..PD May 2006
cool_guy_onnet1
03-12 02:36 PM
One says, I can only remove my Future employer "X", who has filed for my GC, and carry my Priority Date , AFTER I get new PERM and new I140 from the new company.
Other one says, don't worry just move to new Employer and I don't need to refile PERM and I140.
Both lawyers are mentioned over 10 times on this web-site and both are VERY reputed.
I have NEVER worked for employer X, It was a future position and I may still join them.
I have approved 140 and 485 is pending for about 9 months.
EAD is approved and so is AP.
Please help guys!
Other one says, don't worry just move to new Employer and I don't need to refile PERM and I140.
Both lawyers are mentioned over 10 times on this web-site and both are VERY reputed.
I have NEVER worked for employer X, It was a future position and I may still join them.
I have approved 140 and 485 is pending for about 9 months.
EAD is approved and so is AP.
Please help guys!
more...
tomCT
03-28 08:53 AM
I think this would be an easy and effective ammendment request. The USCIS considers BS + 5years equivalent to Masters(advanced degree).
As per Spectors/Frists bills, the Advanced Degree holders with 3 years exp in related field will have no numerical limts. First of all, can we interpret advanced degree as (BS + 5 years) ?
If not, is it possible to request these senotors to add that? It would be easy to add compared to requesting them of removing the country quota.
I belive most of the EB3 candidates have 5 years of experience. tHE REST OF THEM MAY BE ATLEAST 3 + YEARS EXPERIENCE WHICH THEY MAY THEN NEED TO WAIT ONLY 2 OR 3 YEARS TO REACH THAT 5 YR MARK).
The advanced degree is already interpreted by DOL as BS + 5 years.
Its interpreted by USCIS as BS + 2 years.
I request the IV to clarify this and request Spector/Frists to add this. There may be some reason for them removing that section 5. But adding a BS + 5yr interpretation to advanced degree wouldn't be an issue for them.
As per Spectors/Frists bills, the Advanced Degree holders with 3 years exp in related field will have no numerical limts. First of all, can we interpret advanced degree as (BS + 5 years) ?
If not, is it possible to request these senotors to add that? It would be easy to add compared to requesting them of removing the country quota.
I belive most of the EB3 candidates have 5 years of experience. tHE REST OF THEM MAY BE ATLEAST 3 + YEARS EXPERIENCE WHICH THEY MAY THEN NEED TO WAIT ONLY 2 OR 3 YEARS TO REACH THAT 5 YR MARK).
The advanced degree is already interpreted by DOL as BS + 5 years.
Its interpreted by USCIS as BS + 2 years.
I request the IV to clarify this and request Spector/Frists to add this. There may be some reason for them removing that section 5. But adding a BS + 5yr interpretation to advanced degree wouldn't be an issue for them.
2010 animals of rainforest for kids
venky08
09-25 09:50 AM
this is a good find! they need to have 3 year extensions on EAD
They have been talking about this since 2004 - http://www.murthy.com/news/n_extead.html - but nobody has done anything about it as far as I know.
They have been talking about this since 2004 - http://www.murthy.com/news/n_extead.html - but nobody has done anything about it as far as I know.
more...
vikramy
06-05 03:12 PM
Some of the answers i know. I did a H1 transfer in 2004 and travelled to india.
I have to leave for India on Saturday for my wedding next weekend.
My possible scenarios :-
1, Case status online changes to Approved, I can travel to India before receiving the approval notice ?
Yes. Make arrangements for your company to send you these approval notice to India
2, Case status is still pending, they need more RFE. In that case, can I ask my new company to provide the RFE when I am in India ?
For h1 transfer i think yes. Alway your company responds. You need to just provide the info. confirm with others, i am not completely confident
3, Case status approved, I wait for a couple of days before I get my I-797 approval notice, that means I will have to change my travel plans. I really can't put it off, since I am traveling for my wedding next weekend.
You can travel and your company can send you the approval. I did it in 2004
Can someone advise ?
My travel to India is definitely happening, but can I go and get my visa renewed along with my wife, and come back ?
yes, but your visa has to be renewed on new approval. Old approval may not be valid. If you already have a valid visa you don't need a new visa. (This was what i was told that time. Things may have changed) Always better to get a new stamping
Thanks, and keep up all the good work.
I have to leave for India on Saturday for my wedding next weekend.
My possible scenarios :-
1, Case status online changes to Approved, I can travel to India before receiving the approval notice ?
Yes. Make arrangements for your company to send you these approval notice to India
2, Case status is still pending, they need more RFE. In that case, can I ask my new company to provide the RFE when I am in India ?
For h1 transfer i think yes. Alway your company responds. You need to just provide the info. confirm with others, i am not completely confident
3, Case status approved, I wait for a couple of days before I get my I-797 approval notice, that means I will have to change my travel plans. I really can't put it off, since I am traveling for my wedding next weekend.
You can travel and your company can send you the approval. I did it in 2004
Can someone advise ?
My travel to India is definitely happening, but can I go and get my visa renewed along with my wife, and come back ?
yes, but your visa has to be renewed on new approval. Old approval may not be valid. If you already have a valid visa you don't need a new visa. (This was what i was told that time. Things may have changed) Always better to get a new stamping
Thanks, and keep up all the good work.
hair Of Rain Forest Animals Are
desi3933
07-05 03:14 PM
Hi All,
Please clarify my doubts if you can.
The G-325A form is asking for dates of previous employment. I have an issue here.....
I did an L1 to H1 transfer in 2005. My L1 was valid till APRIL 2006. So my intention was to work with L1 employer till April 2006 and then switch to H1 employer.
H1 employer also applied for a change of status, I was not aware of the whole status issue that time. I asked the H1 company's lawyer whether I could continue with my L1 employer after getting the H1 and she said it's fine.
So I got the H1B approval in Oct 2005, but still continued with L1 employer till APRIL 2006, then switched to H1.
Recently I came to know that this could be an issue. When I was filling the G-325A form, I wondered if I specify that I worked with the L1 employer till APRIL 2006, would they catch this?? Even if they catch , how big an issue would this be??
If I put the dates to reflect the dates to show that I quit my L1 employer in Oct 2005 itself, would this be an issue?? I guess in this case, if by any chance they ask for any further evidence like pay stubs or W2 in that period of time, I would be in trouble.
Any advice is appreciated. I'm afraid to talk about this to my current company attorney....
Thanks.
Did you get new I-94 with H1 transfer?
Any re-entry in USA after that?
___________________
Not a legal advice.
Please clarify my doubts if you can.
The G-325A form is asking for dates of previous employment. I have an issue here.....
I did an L1 to H1 transfer in 2005. My L1 was valid till APRIL 2006. So my intention was to work with L1 employer till April 2006 and then switch to H1 employer.
H1 employer also applied for a change of status, I was not aware of the whole status issue that time. I asked the H1 company's lawyer whether I could continue with my L1 employer after getting the H1 and she said it's fine.
So I got the H1B approval in Oct 2005, but still continued with L1 employer till APRIL 2006, then switched to H1.
Recently I came to know that this could be an issue. When I was filling the G-325A form, I wondered if I specify that I worked with the L1 employer till APRIL 2006, would they catch this?? Even if they catch , how big an issue would this be??
If I put the dates to reflect the dates to show that I quit my L1 employer in Oct 2005 itself, would this be an issue?? I guess in this case, if by any chance they ask for any further evidence like pay stubs or W2 in that period of time, I would be in trouble.
Any advice is appreciated. I'm afraid to talk about this to my current company attorney....
Thanks.
Did you get new I-94 with H1 transfer?
Any re-entry in USA after that?
___________________
Not a legal advice.
more...
hunkuncontrolled
03-04 05:55 PM
congrats ..u got it after 15 years ....Now start waiting for citizenship for another 5 yrs and your half life would be over..
hot To Rain Forest Animals
gondalguru
09-02 07:31 PM
I got 2 red dots for this .....Crazy people
I will give you one green to compensate.
I will give you one green to compensate.
more...
house rainforest animals of
durgakprasad
02-15 11:20 PM
Hi,
Can someone please clarify with AC21 can I take up a job Position as "IT PROJECT MANAGER 11-3021.00" whereas my EB3 Labor is filed as "Computer Programmers - 15-1021.00" ?
My I-485 is still pending past 180 days and I-140 is approved.
Thanks so much in advance for replying.
Can someone please clarify with AC21 can I take up a job Position as "IT PROJECT MANAGER 11-3021.00" whereas my EB3 Labor is filed as "Computer Programmers - 15-1021.00" ?
My I-485 is still pending past 180 days and I-140 is approved.
Thanks so much in advance for replying.
tattoo A rainforest tour is the
sbabunle
07-18 07:25 PM
Here is my plan. Make as much dollars as I could. Stay as long as I could. Probably stay illegal for some years. ( So that I dont need to pay taxes too )Buy some land in Kerala( My home state) Plan rubber and pepper and ginger. And forget programming. All IV members are welcome to my ranch..:D :D :D
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pictures process, Weird
ibmguy
04-09 02:09 PM
Thanks to all who responded. I really appreciate your time. Your replies have really been useful. It seems like one can maintain both H-1B and I-485 adjudicating status simultaneously. Some employers probably go by the policy of continuing H-1B status. Only thing for me is that I will have to go for visa stamping which I really did not want to as it is such a hassle and takes a lot of time.
dresses Two species of animals that
Wish_Good
06-30 04:07 PM
My Sincere Thanks to Mr. Ari for responding to my post.
Here Iam posting additional details about my case:
Company A: Labor approved in Dec 2006. Applied I-140 in June 2007 and got RFE regarding my Educational Transcripts Which was responded in time and USCIS received on Dec 5, 2007. Then Got EAD and AP approved. On Apr3 2008 I-140 Denied (I-140 was denied - due to 3yr degree) then I-485 denied on June 26th 2008. So, First applied MTR for I-140 which was denied on Feb, 2009. Then applied one more MTR (Appeal) for I-140 on March 13th, 2009 (check cashed by USCIS... receipt copy not yet received).
Suddenly in the recent past month I see that, My I-485 status updated saying -Transferred and now pending @ Texas service center (got a notice) and now today I saw above mentioned status.
But "When I was on my 7th year of H-1B (valid upto Apr 2009)" jumped (Transferred my H1B) to Company B. And now Iam with Company B.
Thanks a lot in Advance.
Here Iam posting additional details about my case:
Company A: Labor approved in Dec 2006. Applied I-140 in June 2007 and got RFE regarding my Educational Transcripts Which was responded in time and USCIS received on Dec 5, 2007. Then Got EAD and AP approved. On Apr3 2008 I-140 Denied (I-140 was denied - due to 3yr degree) then I-485 denied on June 26th 2008. So, First applied MTR for I-140 which was denied on Feb, 2009. Then applied one more MTR (Appeal) for I-140 on March 13th, 2009 (check cashed by USCIS... receipt copy not yet received).
Suddenly in the recent past month I see that, My I-485 status updated saying -Transferred and now pending @ Texas service center (got a notice) and now today I saw above mentioned status.
But "When I was on my 7th year of H-1B (valid upto Apr 2009)" jumped (Transferred my H1B) to Company B. And now Iam with Company B.
Thanks a lot in Advance.
more...
makeup the rainforest animals
chanduv23
06-03 08:21 AM
Usually we see IV members posting on this website if there is a pattern and trend. if there is one, some members take initiative and contact their law makers and talk to appropriate authorities.
Is there such a pattern? Members may post their experiences and hardships on IV.
DHS does takes measures to control fraud and abuse - but if it is affecting geniune people then genuine people can write about their issues here.
Is there such a pattern? Members may post their experiences and hardships on IV.
DHS does takes measures to control fraud and abuse - but if it is affecting geniune people then genuine people can write about their issues here.
girlfriend Animals+of+the+rainforest+
hopefulgc
12-30 12:55 AM
Even though we have a very honest agenda at heart which at its very core aims to help America be more competitive in the global scene, apparently, we need to have the financial clout to be able to turn heads and thus have our voices heard.
Here is an idea: say we have roughly 500 members out of this vast array of 35000+ members who have the heart and the will to contribute. we get $2000 from each and place it in an escrow trust account that does not release money for expenditure unless we reach $1 mln
why? because the first 10 or 50 contributers are the most elemental in getting such a campaign off the ground and we need to give them a guarantee that its an ALL or NOTHING DEAL. If for some reason we stop at $10k because only 5 members contributed and no more are ready to contribute (unlikely), those 5 members can get their money back.
now is $2000 a huge amount?.. absolutely... but maybe we could tweak this amount or do some payback if we have more people stepping forward in excess of 500. and the amount of payback depends on how early your contributed to the campaign. The first 50 guys could even get a substantial part of their contribution back.
People, we gotta swing for the fences, the next time we go to play.
It has taken us some time to understand how the lobbying game is played.. but this time "Lets play to win"
As evident from current campaigns (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?p=210276#post210276), we need to be a big fish.. a million $+ whale to be taken seriously.
Lastly, i'm just presenting an idea .. its not endorsed by IV core.. and I maybe overlooking some finer points of non-profit corporate taxation and finance.
Here is an idea: say we have roughly 500 members out of this vast array of 35000+ members who have the heart and the will to contribute. we get $2000 from each and place it in an escrow trust account that does not release money for expenditure unless we reach $1 mln
why? because the first 10 or 50 contributers are the most elemental in getting such a campaign off the ground and we need to give them a guarantee that its an ALL or NOTHING DEAL. If for some reason we stop at $10k because only 5 members contributed and no more are ready to contribute (unlikely), those 5 members can get their money back.
now is $2000 a huge amount?.. absolutely... but maybe we could tweak this amount or do some payback if we have more people stepping forward in excess of 500. and the amount of payback depends on how early your contributed to the campaign. The first 50 guys could even get a substantial part of their contribution back.
People, we gotta swing for the fences, the next time we go to play.
It has taken us some time to understand how the lobbying game is played.. but this time "Lets play to win"
As evident from current campaigns (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?p=210276#post210276), we need to be a big fish.. a million $+ whale to be taken seriously.
Lastly, i'm just presenting an idea .. its not endorsed by IV core.. and I maybe overlooking some finer points of non-profit corporate taxation and finance.
hairstyles Animals In The Rainforest
soarin3655
04-08 02:41 PM
US taxman gets after Indian-Americans - The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/news/US-taxman-gets-after-Indian-Americans/articleshow/7915510.cms)
US taxman gets after Indian-Americans
Chidanand Rajghatta, TNN | Apr 8, 2011, 09.40pm IST
On Thursday, the US govt filed a petition with the court to allow the IRS to serve what is known as a "John Doe" summons on HSBC Bank.
WASHINGTON: When you do a good deed, get a receipt, just in case heaven is like the IRS, goes the sagely tax advice in America. Some 9000 Indian-Americans are about to discover that tales of the dreaded Internal Revenue Service's omnipresence are not entirely exaggerated.
While millions of Americans are sweating it out to file their tax returns before the April 15 deadline, Uncle Sam's taxman has zeroed in wealthy Indian-Americans suspected of using their native land to stash away undeclared money and evade taxes. Yes; while India has long believed its wealthy has stashed away money abroad, the wheel has turned a full circle. The US now says its Indian-American citizens are using India as a tax haven.
In a surprising move that takes the American hunt for hidden money beyond the usual Swiss and Caribbean tax havens, the US Justice Department's civil tax division on Thursday asked a Federal Court's permission to force the London-based HSBC Bank to disclose names of thousands of wealthy Indian-American clients who it says maintain accounts with more than $ 100,000 in the bank's India branches -- ostensibly to hide it from the IRS taxman.
In a 47-page statement filed before a San Francisco court, the IRS said there were 9,000 US residents of Indian-origin who had $100,000-minimum-balance accounts at HSBC India but that fewer than 1,400 had disclosed existence of their accounts. US laws require citizens to disclose any foreign account containing $10,000 or more.
The US hunt for Indian-American tax evaders follows a case early this year when federal prosecutors nailed Vaibhav Dahake, a US citizen and an HSBC client for tax evasion by stashing money in India. According to documents filed with the government's petition, on Jan. 26, 2011, a grand jury in Newark, New Jersey, indicted Dahake, charging him with conspiracy to defraud the United States by using undeclared accounts in the British Virgin Islands and at HSBC India.
According to those documents, employees of HSBC Holdings plc and its affiliates operating in the United States assured Dahake that accounts maintained in India would not be reported to the IRS.
US authorities, attributing the information to HSBC's website, say that in 2002 HSBC India opened a "representative office" at an HSBC USA office in New York City to enable ''Non-Resident Indians'' (NRIs) living in the United States to open accounts in India. In 2007, HSBC India allegedly opened a second representative office at an HSBC USA office in Fremont, Calif., purportedly "to make banking transactions more convenient for the NRI community based in California." Although HSBC India closed those offices in June 2010, the government alleges that NRI clients may still access their accounts at HSBC India from the United States.
According to the petition documents, NRI clients have told IRS investigators that HSBC's NRI representatives in the United States assured them that they could invest in accounts at HSBC India without paying US income tax on interest earned on the accounts and that HSBC would not report the income earned on the HSBC India accounts to the IRS.
"The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that all US taxpayers meet their obligations to declare and pay taxes on foreign bank accounts," John A. DiCicco, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Tax Division, said in a statement. "The ability to hide accounts in foreign countries is rapidly dwindling. We will continue working hand-in-hand with the IRS to enforce the tax laws against those who are using offshore accounts � wherever they are located � to evade taxes."
The IRS focus on India and Indian-Americans follows a campaign against undeclared offshore accounts held by US taxpayers, primarily in tax havens such as Switzerland and the Caribbean. In a landmark case in 2009, the IRS went after UBS AG for allowing U.S citizens hide their assets and evade taxes. UBS coughed up $780 million in fines, and more importantly, turned over some 4000 names in a precedent-setting case.
"The IRS continues to focus its attention on international tax evasion," IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman said on Thrusday about the HSBC India case. ''This summons request is focused on obtaining more information to help us determine if additional actions are needed. As I've said all along, our international efforts are not about just one country or one bank � it's about our wider effort to ensure compliance with the nation's tax laws."
Meanwhile, an HSBC spokesperson in New York told wire services that the bank has been engaged in a "constructive dialogue" with US authorities and hoped the issue can be resolved expeditiously. "HSBC does not condone tax evasion and fully supports the US efforts to promote appropriate payment of taxes by US taxpayers," spokeswoman Juanita Gutierrez said, adding that the bank complies with the law in all the jurisdictions and cooperates with requests from US authorities.
US taxman gets after Indian-Americans
Chidanand Rajghatta, TNN | Apr 8, 2011, 09.40pm IST
On Thursday, the US govt filed a petition with the court to allow the IRS to serve what is known as a "John Doe" summons on HSBC Bank.
WASHINGTON: When you do a good deed, get a receipt, just in case heaven is like the IRS, goes the sagely tax advice in America. Some 9000 Indian-Americans are about to discover that tales of the dreaded Internal Revenue Service's omnipresence are not entirely exaggerated.
While millions of Americans are sweating it out to file their tax returns before the April 15 deadline, Uncle Sam's taxman has zeroed in wealthy Indian-Americans suspected of using their native land to stash away undeclared money and evade taxes. Yes; while India has long believed its wealthy has stashed away money abroad, the wheel has turned a full circle. The US now says its Indian-American citizens are using India as a tax haven.
In a surprising move that takes the American hunt for hidden money beyond the usual Swiss and Caribbean tax havens, the US Justice Department's civil tax division on Thursday asked a Federal Court's permission to force the London-based HSBC Bank to disclose names of thousands of wealthy Indian-American clients who it says maintain accounts with more than $ 100,000 in the bank's India branches -- ostensibly to hide it from the IRS taxman.
In a 47-page statement filed before a San Francisco court, the IRS said there were 9,000 US residents of Indian-origin who had $100,000-minimum-balance accounts at HSBC India but that fewer than 1,400 had disclosed existence of their accounts. US laws require citizens to disclose any foreign account containing $10,000 or more.
The US hunt for Indian-American tax evaders follows a case early this year when federal prosecutors nailed Vaibhav Dahake, a US citizen and an HSBC client for tax evasion by stashing money in India. According to documents filed with the government's petition, on Jan. 26, 2011, a grand jury in Newark, New Jersey, indicted Dahake, charging him with conspiracy to defraud the United States by using undeclared accounts in the British Virgin Islands and at HSBC India.
According to those documents, employees of HSBC Holdings plc and its affiliates operating in the United States assured Dahake that accounts maintained in India would not be reported to the IRS.
US authorities, attributing the information to HSBC's website, say that in 2002 HSBC India opened a "representative office" at an HSBC USA office in New York City to enable ''Non-Resident Indians'' (NRIs) living in the United States to open accounts in India. In 2007, HSBC India allegedly opened a second representative office at an HSBC USA office in Fremont, Calif., purportedly "to make banking transactions more convenient for the NRI community based in California." Although HSBC India closed those offices in June 2010, the government alleges that NRI clients may still access their accounts at HSBC India from the United States.
According to the petition documents, NRI clients have told IRS investigators that HSBC's NRI representatives in the United States assured them that they could invest in accounts at HSBC India without paying US income tax on interest earned on the accounts and that HSBC would not report the income earned on the HSBC India accounts to the IRS.
"The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that all US taxpayers meet their obligations to declare and pay taxes on foreign bank accounts," John A. DiCicco, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Tax Division, said in a statement. "The ability to hide accounts in foreign countries is rapidly dwindling. We will continue working hand-in-hand with the IRS to enforce the tax laws against those who are using offshore accounts � wherever they are located � to evade taxes."
The IRS focus on India and Indian-Americans follows a campaign against undeclared offshore accounts held by US taxpayers, primarily in tax havens such as Switzerland and the Caribbean. In a landmark case in 2009, the IRS went after UBS AG for allowing U.S citizens hide their assets and evade taxes. UBS coughed up $780 million in fines, and more importantly, turned over some 4000 names in a precedent-setting case.
"The IRS continues to focus its attention on international tax evasion," IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman said on Thrusday about the HSBC India case. ''This summons request is focused on obtaining more information to help us determine if additional actions are needed. As I've said all along, our international efforts are not about just one country or one bank � it's about our wider effort to ensure compliance with the nation's tax laws."
Meanwhile, an HSBC spokesperson in New York told wire services that the bank has been engaged in a "constructive dialogue" with US authorities and hoped the issue can be resolved expeditiously. "HSBC does not condone tax evasion and fully supports the US efforts to promote appropriate payment of taxes by US taxpayers," spokeswoman Juanita Gutierrez said, adding that the bank complies with the law in all the jurisdictions and cooperates with requests from US authorities.
qplearn
09-10 10:31 AM
Bravo!
That is exactly what we want the house members to know. Our lives are on hold; my wife cannot work, and I cannot move!
Also, a BIG THANK YOU for distancing ourselves from the H1B quota issue that the industry is after. That will get us nowhere in the house that struck it down last time from their bill.
Keep up the good work!
qplearn
That is exactly what we want the house members to know. Our lives are on hold; my wife cannot work, and I cannot move!
Also, a BIG THANK YOU for distancing ourselves from the H1B quota issue that the industry is after. That will get us nowhere in the house that struck it down last time from their bill.
Keep up the good work!
qplearn
chalamurariusa
04-28 10:33 AM
I was hoping some one will be able to tell us something abt it but seems as no one has recd. a mail like that from USCIS.:confused: