US Shortlisted and Alternate JETs 2012 (Q&A)

[miami_coordinator]

I'm a short-listed JET in Ireland set for the Irish departure, but I think this is where I should be asking my question...

I lived in the US for over a year and am therefore required to submit an FBI background check along with my Irish background check. I sent the fingerprints and application today on priority post so the FBI should receive it in the next few days... their website says approximately an 8-week wait... Does anyone know if that is an accurate figure right now? I'm really worried I won't get it back before my scheduled departure or visa issuance.

It's pretty common for the FBI to get a backlog in the summer time. That said, I did start getting FBI background checks around the time I released notifications, which would only be about 6-7 weeks after the interviews. So, judging by that at least, they do seem to be more or less on schedule. At present.

I do recommend notifying your coordinator that the FBI background checks are notorious for being problematic - rejected fingerprints, improper payment, and running late due to a backlog are common problems. They have streamlined the process in the past year, and so they are running more efficiently in the past, but there's still a chance it could be delayed. I do believe it will get to you before departure, but it could be later. When we have situations like that in the U.S., we often are told by the Tokyo office to get state background checks in the meanwhile, with the understanding that if they DO depart for Japan and there is anything problematic that comes up in the FBI background check, that could be grounds for instant dismissal. Since I'm presuming that you'll have a background check done in Ireland too, that may be enough to at least get your visa done on time.

Every country is a bit different, and I don't want to give you any information that may not be applicable to your situation. So, do run this by your coordinator, and if they want to get an explanation of how the FBI background check process works, they could email any of the U.S. Coordinators:http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/contact.html

[miami_coordinator]

Looking back over my email from the coordinator, I noticed that it said, "You may wish to wait until upgraded to apply," so I guess I can wait to send it. I think I might call just to be sure though. I would hate to be disqualified for a reason like that. If I do end up having to send it though, which departure date should I write in, and which end date? Just the group I originally elected to be in?

Well, that's part of the problem. Without knowing if you'll be upgraded or not, you can't tell when your start and end dates would be. That said, I ran the penalty of perjury statement we included in our previous directions by a manager at the IRS and he said that this statement was acceptable as well. That one doesn't include any dates.

Call your coordinator, but I can't imagine there's any reason why you would be disqualified for not applying for it, especially when the majority of us have agreed not to have our alternates get this form due to the price increase and that exact problematic issue with the dates. Some coordinators, like yours, have decided to leave it up to the alternates as to whether or not to get it, but there's really nothing advantageous about applying for it at this point as compared with applying for it after learning of an upgrade. It's not something you have to have before departure; if it seems like it might not come in before you depart (which is very likely in a case if you're an alternate upgraded in August or later), you should include the name and address of someone (not your JET Coordinator) who can pass it along to you in Japan.

[miami_coordinator]

I have a question that I have researched and am unsure of. I am moving right before I leave for Japan (Anchorage to Florida, will be departing from Miami) and I would like to just ship some things to Japan instead of shipping things to Florida and then to Japan. This is really to save money, although I'm sure it will save my time, too. I read that it depends on my CO, but I'm wondering when I will know so I can make the right plans? I don't have many things that I will ship.

Ah yes, I heard about you from the Anchorage Coordinator . I'll be emailing you later in the summer about visa stuff.

It used to be (back when shipping by boat was an option) that JETs would often ship boxes to their schools about 2 months before departure. I certainly did. A couple of years ago the freight option went away, and now it's just air. It's a ton more expensive, but it also means that you don't have to get your boxes out quite so early.

You will likely hear from your predecessor and/or contracting organization sometime in June (the more proactive ones get their messages out in late May or early June). Once you've heard from someone, ask about shipping boxes over. It's probably best to send them to a school or board of education; that way it will be in a protected environment. The building may not have air conditioning, so be sure not to send anything that could melt or that is sensitive to heat or humidity. Japanese summers can be brutal!

If you haven't heard from anyone and it's getting kind of close to your departure time, ask your coordinator in Anchorage to see if he can get his bosses to intervene on your behalf to encourage the CO to reach out to you. Depending upon how much you learn about your contracting organization when your coordinator notifies you in late May (sometimes we are told both city and prefecture, and sometimes we are only told the prefecture), you may be able to sniff out your predecessor through unofficial venues - such as AJET facebook groups, websites, or listservs. If not, you may still be able to find other JETs in your prefecture who can give you ideas on what to do with your things.

[miami_coordinator]

How many people get rejected because of problems with paper work? I had not been keeping up with this thread, and noticed that I have two problems with my health certificate. One of which is the non-corrected eyesight section.

I couldn't get in with a doctor on short notice, so a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner did my physical and signed off on my paper work. I asked if she was considered a "physician," and she said yes.

Is there a chance CLAIR will accept it or should I schedule another physical ASAP? If I do have to correct it, how awful will it be to get the right paper work in after the deadline?

I know, my own fault for not keeping up with this thread, but it seemed so straightforward.

My understanding is that it's got to be an MD. Talk to your coordinator and ask for options. If you're able to get another appointment at the same clinic, perhaps a doctor would be willing to sign the same form as the NP.

I have had CLAIR tell me to send a JET back to a doctor to get a new form filled out (or to have a more detailed test done) because a section was left unanswered or because an MD had not signed the form. That said, if you have an upcoming deadline, it's more important at this point to get whatever forms you have in to your coordinator. It well may be that you will have to go back to get another physical or other tests done this summer, but at least you wouldn't be disqualified (whereas not turning required forms in on time likely would result in a disqualification). Talk to your coordinator.

[miami_coordinator]

A nurse offered to finish the easy parts of the paperwork (eyesight, colorblindness, dimensions) for the doctor when I did my physical, but the doc seemed to think that the paperwork specified an MD had to do it by saying "physician." He even reprinted my Tb test and signed off on it to include with my paperwork, since my old one was just initialed and stamped by a nurse from a few weeks ago. (We ARE supposed to attach the Tb test results if we didn't do xray, right? The form was a bit unclear...) I'd go back and see a doctor asap, as well as call your coordinator first thing monday.

Yes, in my experience, this would all be acceptable. Even if a nurse does parts of the test and signs the form, as long as an MD signs off on it all, it's OK.

For the TB test, yes, you should either include the results or the doctor should write the results on the form.

[Cliodhna]

Okay- adding one more silly IRS question to the list!

The main issue here is that my father apparently gets his taxes done by an accountant, making taxes so far removed from himself that he doesn't even know what form is submitted on his behalf every year, which is kinda crazy. I haven't had any kind of taxable income in almost five years now, so I've been assuming that I've not had to file because I have nothing to file. Turns out that this mystery accountant has been filing on my behalf with files saying I have nothing to file. Ok. So. Since on line five I would mark that I was an independent (we're assuming) with no income, the instructions for the form state that I would still have to attach a proof of income. My question is, if I have no income do I still have to attach a proof of income? But since I have no income, how is that possible?

I'm crying on the inside right now. Thanks a ton for all the help, Miami.

[nicole.ai]

Okay- adding one more silly IRS question to the list!

The main issue here is that my father apparently gets his taxes done by an accountant, making taxes so far removed from himself that he doesn't even know what form is submitted on his behalf every year, which is kinda crazy. I haven't had any kind of taxable income in almost five years now, so I've been assuming that I've not had to file because I have nothing to file. Turns out that this mystery accountant has been filing on my behalf with files saying I have nothing to file. Ok. So. Since on line five I would mark that I was an independent (we're assuming) with no income, the instructions for the form state that I would still have to attach a proof of income. My question is, if I have no income do I still have to attach a proof of income? But since I have no income, how is that possible?

I'm crying on the inside right now. Thanks a ton for all the help, Miami.

Are you sure you're not listed as a dependent on your parent's tax forms, because it sounds like you're in the situation where your parents would claim you for their taxing purposes, since you have no income and I assume your parents pay for a lot of your things (also, if you're still in college/just graduated from college, usually parents still claim their college student as a dependent). I would double check with the accountant if he put you down as a dependent for your parents' taxes because usually you still file that you have nothing to file if that's the case, I believe.

I don't remember having to attach proof of income, I think the only thing you need to attach proof of is if you did not file because of insufficient income. But, you're saying that your taxes were filed, even though you had no income, so I don't know whether or not you'd have to prove lack of income. This is something you will probably have to call the irs about to clarify for your situation, and before contacting them, again, I'd probably try to talk to your dad's accountant.

[Cliodhna]

Okay- adding one more silly IRS question to the list!

The main issue here is that my father apparently gets his taxes done by an accountant, making taxes so far removed from himself that he doesn't even know what form is submitted on his behalf every year, which is kinda crazy. I haven't had any kind of taxable income in almost five years now, so I've been assuming that I've not had to file because I have nothing to file. Turns out that this mystery accountant has been filing on my behalf with files saying I have nothing to file. Ok. So. Since on line five I would mark that I was an independent (we're assuming) with no income, the instructions for the form state that I would still have to attach a proof of income. My question is, if I have no income do I still have to attach a proof of income? But since I have no income, how is that possible?

I'm crying on the inside right now. Thanks a ton for all the help, Miami.

Are you sure you're not listed as a dependent on your parent's tax forms, because it sounds like you're in the situation where your parents would claim you for their taxing purposes, since you have no income and I assume your parents pay for a lot of your things (also, if you're still in college/just graduated from college, usually parents still claim their college student as a dependent). I double check with the accountant if he put you down as a dependent for your parents' taxes because usually you still file that you have nothing to file if that's the case, I believe.

I don't remember having to attach proof of income, I think the only thing you need to attach proof of is if you did not file because of insufficient income. But, you're saying that your taxes were filed, even though you had no income, so I don't know whether or not you'd have to prove lack of income. This is something you will probably have to call the irs about to clarify for your situation, and before contacting them, I'd probably try to talk to your dad's accountant.

Yes, I'm not even sure about dependent status anymore at this point. This is all quite crazy to me. Having an accountant at all seems quite excessive to me since we are far from a high income family, haha. I'm just kind of shocked that he doesn't even know what form is filled out for him. Oh well, that's parents for you.

So what does seem to be clear is that, dependent or independent, some sort of form that proves no income is going to be necessary, correct? Thanks for the help, Nicole.

[nicole.ai]

Okay- adding one more silly IRS question to the list!

The main issue here is that my father apparently gets his taxes done by an accountant, making taxes so far removed from himself that he doesn't even know what form is submitted on his behalf every year, which is kinda crazy. I haven't had any kind of taxable income in almost five years now, so I've been assuming that I've not had to file because I have nothing to file. Turns out that this mystery accountant has been filing on my behalf with files saying I have nothing to file. Ok. So. Since on line five I would mark that I was an independent (we're assuming) with no income, the instructions for the form state that I would still have to attach a proof of income. My question is, if I have no income do I still have to attach a proof of income? But since I have no income, how is that possible?

I'm crying on the inside right now. Thanks a ton for all the help, Miami.

Are you sure you're not listed as a dependent on your parent's tax forms, because it sounds like you're in the situation where your parents would claim you for their taxing purposes, since you have no income and I assume your parents pay for a lot of your things (also, if you're still in college/just graduated from college, usually parents still claim their college student as a dependent). I double check with the accountant if he put you down as a dependent for your parents' taxes because usually you still file that you have nothing to file if that's the case, I believe.

I don't remember having to attach proof of income, I think the only thing you need to attach proof of is if you did not file because of insufficient income. But, you're saying that your taxes were filed, even though you had no income, so I don't know whether or not you'd have to prove lack of income. This is something you will probably have to call the irs about to clarify for your situation, and before contacting them, I'd probably try to talk to your dad's accountant.

Yes, I'm not even sure about dependent status anymore at this point. This is all quite crazy to me. Having an accountant at all seems quite excessive to me since we are far from a high income family, haha. I'm just kind of shocked that he doesn't even know what form is filled out for him. Oh well, that's parents for you.

So what does seem to be clear is that, dependent or independent, some sort of form that proves no income is going to be necessary, correct? Thanks for the help, Nicole.

Yes, but it seems like you only need the proof if the answer for Line 5 (Was the applicant required to file a U.S. tax form for the tax period(s) on which certification will be based?) is no. So, if you end up putting yes, and the type of tax form you filed, you don't need to provide proof, even if you had no income.

[miami_coordinator]

Okay- adding one more silly IRS question to the list!

The main issue here is that my father apparently gets his taxes done by an accountant, making taxes so far removed from himself that he doesn't even know what form is submitted on his behalf every year, which is kinda crazy. I haven't had any kind of taxable income in almost five years now, so I've been assuming that I've not had to file because I have nothing to file. Turns out that this mystery accountant has been filing on my behalf with files saying I have nothing to file. Ok. So. Since on line five I would mark that I was an independent (we're assuming) with no income, the instructions for the form state that I would still have to attach a proof of income. My question is, if I have no income do I still have to attach a proof of income? But since I have no income, how is that possible?

I'm crying on the inside right now. Thanks a ton for all the help, Miami.

Yeaaaaaah, the combination of hating numbers and getting a runaround from the IRS (I think I need both hands and at least 1 foot to count up the number of times I called them in April) makes me cry a bit on the inside too. I'd recommend getting your accountant involved. I'm a very far cry from a tax professional, but if you DID file taxes this past year as an independent, then it shouldn't make any difference. As I understand it, this has nothing to do with whether or not you PAID taxes - it's a matter of whether or not there is legal paperwork on file with the IRS demonstrating that you have a history of filing taxes which they can use to verify U.S. residency (at least for tax purposes). If you ever did earn an income that required paying taxes, I believe from that point forward you still need to file your tax paperwork, even if it is to declare that you didn't earn enough to pay taxes (which it seems this accountant has done for you). So, as long as there's any paperwork in, you shouldn't have any problems with requesting the 6166 based upon your 2011 tax returns. The complication arises when you've never filed tax paperwork, in which case you have to declare why that is (see the new set of instructions, FAQ #6).

My recommendation is asking your accountant for a copy of your 2011 tax returns. That will at least let you know whether you filed as an independent or were included as a dependent on your dad's taxes.

[ssb]

Will notification of placements come first from the CO, from the consulates, from predecessors..? What should I be looking out for?

[merkypie]

Should be Consulate -> CO -> Predecessor

[miami_coordinator]

Will notification of placements come first from the CO, from the consulates, from predecessors..? What should I be looking out for?

It SHOULD come from the coordinators first (typically around the last week of May). And then CO's are supposed to contact you. Some send out information packets or have the predecessors send emails. They all do it slightly differently. And some Contracting Organizations just contact their new JETs without waiting for the coordinators to be told first .

Coordinators will only be able to tell you your prefecture (and sometimes the town or city) as well as your JET ID number. Your CO or predecessor will tell you more specifics about your exact situation.

[ume no hana]

Miami Coordinator: Thank you for the info and clarification!

[happytofu]

For those of us not close to our consulate, will we be expected to find lodging the night between the mandatory pre-departure orientation and departure? What about transportation to the airport?

Thanks!