Newsletter for January 2009
The U.S. Embassy is transmitting the following newsletter via its warden system as a public service to U.S. citizens in the People's Republic of China. Please feel free to disseminate this message to U.S. citizens in your organizations or to other Americans you know.
If there are any particular topics you are interested in, please contact ACS at amcitbeijing@state.gov. We welcome your suggestions and your feedback.
In this issue, the following topics are addressed:
Upcoming Holidays: Lunar New Year office hours
Passport Return by Mail Program
IRS to Offer Tax Payer Assistance
Replacing a Chinese Visa in a Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport
President Barack H. Obama Sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America
Recent Travel Alerts and Warnings
Embassy Contact Information
1. Upcoming Holidays:
The U.S. Embassy will be closed on the following dates:
January 26, 27, 28 (Mon, Tues, Wed) Chinese Lunar New Year
February 13 (Fri) Administrative closure
February 16 (Mon) President’s Day
Please be advised that the days just before and after a holiday are usually exceptionally busy in the American Citizen Services Unit of the Embassy. Please be sure to schedule appointments on-line at http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/service.html
A complete list of all of our holiday closings for 2009 is available at: http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/holidays.html
In case of emergencies, please call the Embassy's emergency number at 86-10-8531-4000 from the United States or 010-8531-4000 within China.
2. Passport Return by Mail Program
American Citizen Services is pleased to announce the launch of our new passport return by mail program. Beginning February 1st, 2009, American citizens who wish to receive their new U.S. print passport by mail may choose to have their passports delivered by China Post. Applicants will still have to appear in person at the Embassy to submit their passport applications and will need to return their old passport for cancellation by ACS before receiving their new passport.
This program is optional, and normal China Post delivery rates will apply. This program is only for passport delivery within China. China Post only receives payment in RMB. Deliveries outside of China (including Hong Kong) are not eligible.
Requirements: To be eligible for the program, applicants MUST bring with them on the day of their appointment their detailed local mailing address written in CHINESE CHARACTERS. A delivery telephone number is also required. China Post will not accept any address written in English or pinyin. Also, China Post will not leave packages at the door. Please make sure the address is for a location where there will be someone to receive the envelope.
DISCLAIMER: The U.S. Embassy is not responsible for lost passports. Individuals who choose to use this voluntary service bears all responsibility and fees associated with lost or undeliverable passports.
3. Internal Revenue Service to Provide Tax Advice
A representative from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be providing limited tax assistance to U.S. citizens from February 17th, 2009 until April 15th, 2009. Individuals who wish to use this free service should contact ACS via telephone (8531-4000) or email (amcitbeijing@state.gov) to request an appointment. Appointment times are available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00am to noon. Please note that appointment times are limited and given on a first come-first served basis.
Please note that this free service is only for those U.S. Citizens with complex tax issues that cannot be resolved through the normal taxpayer service help line. Routine tax preparation services will not be offered. Appointments should be made only for the following types of services:
1. Balance due accounts or penalty abatement requests.
2. Late filed or unfiled tax returns for reasonable cause.
3. Tax treaty or double tax issues (mostly business related).
4. Any other complex issues taxpayers attempted to resolve by phone. with the IRS.
Individuals should NOT make an appointment with the IRS representative for “how do I prepare my tax return?” types of issues. These questions should be directed to the help line in Philadelphia (Tel: 215-516-2000, open 7 PM – 12 noon Beijing time).
Individuals who need tax forms can download them from http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html. Tax forms will also be available for pick up in the ACS waiting room. Amcits can also send their IRS inquiries via email to irs.beijing@irs.gov.
For more information on U.S. taxes, please consult the list of websites and telephone numbers below to help find the forms and answers you need.
Main IRS website: www.irs.gov
Tax guidance for U.S. citizens abroad: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=97324,00.html
Tax guidance for persons in the military: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/military/index.html
Electronic payment website: http://www.eftps.gov/
Refund information: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html?portlet=4
Phone Services:
Individuals 1-800-829-1040
Businesses 1-800-829-4933
Customer Service Phone Number 1-215-516-2000
Refund Inquiries 1-800-829-4477
TeleTax 1-800-829-4477
ITINs after 6 weeks 1-800-829-1040
Exempt Organization Help Desk 1-877-829-5500
Tax Offset Program (TOP) Help Desk 1-800-304-3107
E-Services Help Desk 1-512-416-7750
STATE TAX RETURNS: For individual state income tax information, visit http://www.taxadmin.org/. The Embassy does not have state tax forms or state tax information.
4. Replacing a Lost or Stolen Passport Containing a Chinese Visa
ACS has seen a slight increase in U.S. citizens encountering difficulties when replacing a Chinese Visa that was in a lost or stolen U.S. passport. In case of a lost or stolen passport, the loss must be immediately reported to the local Public Security Bureau. The police report issued by the local authorities must be presented to Chinese authorities when applying for a new visa. Failure to obtain a replacement visa can result in a fine, or greater difficulty when attempting to exit China.
The Exit and Entry Administration of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau is located at:
No. 2 Andingmen Dongdajie
Dongcheng District, Beijing
Tel: 86-10-84020101
website:http://www.bjgaj.gov.cn/eng/contentAction.do?methodname=getArticleContent&id=18115
The following documents are required by the Beijing Entry/Exit bureau to facilitate the issuance of a new Chinese visa to replace a lost/stolen visa.
1. The Lost Report issued by the Entry/Exit Department.
2. The police report issued by local police department or station where the person lost their passport.
3. One photocopy of the lost passport or other IDs (ID card, driving license, working card, seamen’s ID, national insurance card) or their photocopies. For those who do not have any ID certificates, the citizenship confirmation letter from their embassies is needed.
4. Temporary residence certificate. For those living in hotels and apartments, they should present the check-in certificate, but for those having bought apartments or living in Chinese citizens’ homes, they should go to local police stations for the temporary residence certificate. Note: If an individual is unsure where he/she should go to get the residence certificate, contact the PSB at 86-10-8402-0101 to verify.
5. Foreigners who are here invited by Chinese institutions should present an introduction letter by relevant parties, e.g. employers, inviting companies, travel agencies.
6. One 2-inch photo.
Bring the above required documents to the Exit-Entry Department of the PSB for the Lost Report.
NOTE: The entry/exit bureau at the PSB has the discretion to require additional documents not listed above in order to facilitate the issuance of a new Chinese visa.
5. President Barack H. Obama Sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America
On January 20th, 2009, President Barack H. Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United State of America.
In honor of the 44th President, here are some fun facts related to past U.S. Presidents.
a. The Presidential Inauguration is held in front of which Washington DC landmark?
The Capitol
b. Which President caught a fatal bout of pneumonia during his inauguration?
William Henry Harrison
c. Which President had the most number of inaugural Balls?
Bill Clinton (14 in total)
d. Who was the youngest man ever elected President of the United States?
John F. Kennedy
e. Who was the oldest man ever elected President of the United States?
Ronald Reagan
f. Which President used kept sheep on the White House lawn to conserve resources?
Woodrow Wilson
g. Which U.S. President was the first to visit the PRC?
Richard Nixon
h. Which U.S. President also served as Ambassador to China?
George H. Bush
i. Which President spoke Mandarin Chinese with his wife when they didn’t want others to understand?
Herbert Hoover
6. Recent Travel Warnings and Alerts
The U.S. Department of State has recently issued travel warnings or travel alerts for the following countries and regions:
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza 01/15/2009
Fiji 01/15/2009
Burundi 01/08/2009
India 12/24/2008
Sri Lanka 12/22/2008
Cote d'Ivoire 12/15/2008
Georgia 12/12/2008
Zimbabwe 12/12/2008
South Pacific Cyclone Season 12/10/2008
Mali 12/10/2008
Mexico 10/14/2008
For information on Avian Flu Factsheet: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html
For additional information about these travel warnings and alerts, go to this site:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
7. Embassy Contact Information
American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy, Beijing
No. 55 An Jia Lou Road ( 安家楼路 )
Beijing 100600
Telephone: (86-10) 8531-4000
FAX: (86-10) 8531-3300
Email: amcitbeijing@state.gov
American Citizens should enter the Consular Section at the Embassy's east gate. The east gate is located at the Tian Ze Road Intersection of An Jia Lou Road, close to Ladies’ Street (Nüren Jie) and Laitai Flower Market, opposite the Kempinski Hotel and Lufthansa Shopping Center. The nearest subway location is the Liangmaqiao stop on line #10.
Address in Chinese:
美国驻华大使馆
美国公民服务处
北京市朝阳区安家楼路55号
邮政编码：100600
For the most current information regarding services, scheduling appointments and operating hours, please visit the American Citizens Services (ACS) page on the U.S. Embassy website http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/service.html
End of newsletter.
Important Notices
Country Specific Information, Travel Alert and Travel Warning
Appointment System for American Citizen Services
