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Program helps international students by Maggie Diebolt Public Relations Before 1998, Wendy Littlejohn had to manually interpret tax treaties to determine whether an international student or staff member at MUSC could be eligible for tax exemption status. With 55 countries possessing unique tax treaties, this process was both painstaking and time-consuming.   Due to the integration of the Windstar Navigator software program by Windstar Technologies that year, efficiency and consistency greatly increased, said Littlejohn, director of accounting operations in the controller’s office.   Windstar Navigator is designed to analyze individual countries’ tax treaties and  determines tax exemption eligibility. The program has helped MUSC fully comply with international tax standards. By assisting international visa holders in determining their tax exemption status, MUSC can also save money when it does not have to pay the employer’s portion of a tax.   Andrew Rider, an accounting analyst at the controller’s office for a year and a half, performs the Windstar analysis. “He is doing a great job providing these tax services to MUSC’s visa holders,” Littlejohn said.   Roughly 75 countries are represented at MUSC, and of the approximate 300 international students, staff and faculty who work at MUSC, around 100 qualify for exemptions. The Human Resources Department sends international employees to the accounting operations division of the controller’s office throughout the year to assist them in determining their exemption status.   While most international students and staff are directed to the controller’s office for assistance, temporary visitors who are receiving honorariums and stipends may not realize they can receive guidance from accounting operations. Certain withholding rules apply for visitors and they may not be aware of these rules, so it is important that these visitors understand they can benefit from contacting the controller’s office.   Chiaki Kight, a native of Japan who works in the accounting operations office, can relate to feeling overwhelmed and alienated in a new culture. “I was there one time. It helps to have someone to talk to who can explain things to you,” she said. Littlejohn went on to praise Kight, saying it has been beneficial having her at MUSC. “Japanese students and staff can contact her directly and they feel at ease with her,” she said.   In a recent customer satisfaction survey, the accounting operations office got high marks for timely response to inquiries, knowledge of treaty benefits and FICA exemptions, and accurate preparation of tax forms. A seminar on general tax information for visa holders is held annually in February.   For more information, visit the accounting operations office, room 506 in the Harborview Tower, or contact Rider at (843) 792-9138.     Friday, Sept. 8, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.