Virus Rebate for Guestworkers Hinges on Defining ‘Nonresident’

Guestworkers and immigrants in the U.S. with legal status still don’t know whether they qualify for any cash relief from the House-passed virus bill, because it all depends on the interpretation of one line.

There’s “a lot of confusion” because both immigration and tax rules use “nonresident” and “resident” language for immigrants and guestworkers, said immigration attorney Emily Neumann, a partner at Reddy & Neumann in Houston. “My understanding is we’re using the tax definition,” because the bill refers to the cash stimulus provision as a “rebate,” and doesn’t cover the numerous variations in visa status.

The bill’s language states ...