Like any scientific community, the greatest strength of the University of Pennsylvania Biomedical Postdocs is our diversity. Our varied backgrounds and scientific interests are the keys to our collective success. Unfortunately, the events that transpired last month serve as a poignant reminder that Black men and women are not treated or respected equally. Violence and death are all too often the prices exacted by such inequity. These injustices are all too frequent, and part of their heinous nature is that they go unnoticed by society until they are caught on film, as occurred most recently in the case of George Floyd.

Our pain has certainly been compounded in recent months by the events centered on Covid-19 – including the targeting of people of Asian descent and the very medical workers and other essential personnel who continue to risk their lives to keep society functioning. It is thus complete warranted that the nation has erupted into protest after the needless slaughter of another already-detained black male at the hands of law enforcement, and that these protests have been sustained in light of the needless brutality of those in law enforcement who should be protecting the citizenry, not savaging those peacefully exerting their First Amendment right.

Furthermore, it is unsurprising and deeply saddening that these protests are being targeted and hijacked by outside agitators to become violent riots with the hopes of generating civil discord and the erosion of society. In their actions, they are harming the very lives and communities of those the protests intend to speak for.

As the Biomedical Postdoctoral Council, our duty is to serve as a voice of advocacy for our fellow postdocs at Penn, both within the institution, and within our larger community. Today, this charge seems more important than ever, and frankly more difficult. At the very least, we want to express our joint condolences, sadness and rage at both the recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, and at the countless other lives lost due to the biased and prejudicial use of force against Black people in our society. Furthermore, we want to extend a helping hand to anyone in need of assistance during this time:

If you fear for your safety based on where you live

If you fear for your mental health given the events of recent months

If you fear for your loved ones or friends

If you need help getting groceries or essential items

Please reach out to us. You can find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/UPENNBPC, on Twitter @UpennBPC, or email us at pcouncil@mail.med.upenn.edu, or reach out to the Co-presidents Jason Goldsmith (goldsj@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) and Brittany Taylor (brtay@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) directly.

We may not have all the answers or solutions, but we will listen to you. You will not be forgotten or ignored. Your fears and concerns will not be dismissed. We will try our hardest to aid our community during these difficult times, and during all times.

With heavy hearts and open arms,

The Biomedical Postdoctoral Council of the University of Pennsylvania

April 3, 2019

Spring Events in Philly

Contributor: Pearl Lee, PhD

The weather is warming and flowers are blooming! Here are some things to do around the City now that Spring is upon us.

America to Zanzibar – Please Touch Museum

The Please Touch Museum opens America to Zanzibar (Now 2 – September 2), an exhibition that teaches children about Muslim history and modern-day Muslim communities. The exhibit combines interactive activities, art, performances and technology to create an environment for children to learn about Muslim culture and to hear stories from local Muslim families.

For more information: https://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/

Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids – The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

Fantasy meets reality at the Academy of Natural Sciences’ new exhibition Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids (Now – June 9). Through crafts, special displays and interactive activities, the museum shows the relationship between real animals those that live in our imaginations.

For more information: https://ansp.org/

Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival

This (mostly) free event honors the centuries-old tradition of Sakura Matsuri throughout Philadelphia with events that include ceremonial drumming, a traditional tea ceremony, dancing, live music, a fashion show and more (April 6 – 14).

For more information: http://japanphilly.org/programs/festivals/subaru-cherry-blossom-festival/

Penn Relays

At the nation’s oldest and largest collegiate track meet, high school, college and professional track stars compete at the University of Pennsylvania’s historic Franklin Field (April 25 – 27).

Philadelphia Science Festival

With multiple hands-on events for kids as well as adults, this citywide event demonstrates the role science plays in everyday life (April 26 – May 4).

For more information: https://www.fi.edu/psf

Philly Wine Week

Patio weather, as well as the official Philadelphia Wine Week are currently upon us! Wine Week is April 1-7 and details about participating venues are here: https://phillywineweek.org/. But vino-centric events are available year-round, and a comprehensive list is available here: https://phillywineweek.org/year-round-wine-events/

April 3, 2019

It’s Definitely Certain: Tax season 2019

Contributing Author: Christina Cho, PhD

DISCLAIMER: Filing taxes is not a simple task, especially for those who have dependents, own property, and/or are international postdocs. This article will provide some basic information—terminology, important dates, and new tax reforms—but this article is not providing advice and is not an exhaustive summary of taxation. For detailed information, please speak with a certified public accountant (CPA), an enrolled agent, or a tax lawyer. Alternatively, you can find more information on www.irs.gov, and www.efile.com.

Tax Season is upon us! Online services through IRS.gov, including free-filing, will be available. To help you navigate what can often be quite complicated, here’s a quick overview.

Important Dates:

January 28      Start of tax season
April 15            Deadline for filing taxes
October 15      Deadline for filing taxes with approved 6 month extension (IRS form 4868)*

*Even with an extension, you are required to make timely payments of any estimated tax liability by April 15. If you cannot pay everything by 4/15, it is still better to file on time to avoid a late filing penalty, which can be higher than the penalty for paying late.

Terminology without the jargon

One of the most confusing things about taxes is the terminology. Here are some important terms you must know in order to properly file your taxes.

Gross Income: all of the income a person receives during the year that is not explicitly exempt from taxation.
1. This is the starting point from which the IRS calculates an individual’s tax due, but it is NOT the same as wages. Wage earnings often do make up the majority of your gross income (>80%), but gross income incorporates any income (earned or unearned) not explicitly designated by the IRS as tax-exempt.
2. Other sources of income include bonuses, commissions, royalties, gambling winnings, various investment returns (e.g. bond interest; capital gains or dividends from stocks), income from property rentals. Some withdrawals from retirement accounts (i.e. required minimum distributions, RMDs). Social security benefits or disability insurance income may also quality to be included in the calculation of gross income.

Taxable Income: the amount of income that is actually subject to taxation, after all allowable deductions or exemptions have been subtracted from gross income.
1. Also known as the adjusted gross income (AGI)

Deductions: Certain expenses that can be subtracted from your taxable income. The tax system gives you a choice of adding up all of your deductible expenses (itemized)—and providing evidence of those expenses to the IRS upon request—or by simply deducting a flat amount (standard deduction).
1. Personal exemption (for an individual, his/her spouse, and dependents): The Tax Cuts and Jobs Acteliminated the personal exemption from the tax code when it went into effect in 2018.
2. Standard deduction: ensures that all taxpayers have at least some income that is not subject to federal income tax. Standard deductions generally increase each year due to inflation. You have the option of claiming the standard deduction or itemizing your deductions. However, you can never claim both in the same year.
3. Itemizing: often reduces an individual’s tax liability (more complicated that the Standard Deduction, but you may save more money by itemizing. Please speak with an expert)
4. You might consider itemizing if you made substantial charitable donations, or paid mortgage interest and property taxes on your home, or had large amounts of out-of-pocket medical expenses, or uninsured losses from a theft or casualty, such as a fire or natural disaster.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and what it means to you.

In addition to the potential delay of refunds, there are other changes to consider this tax season. On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a tax reform legislation that makes the following changes to your tax return (please note that this article only includes changes that the author believes will impact postdocs, for the complete list, please see references cited at the end of the article):

Changes to the seven tax rates (see Table 1)
Doubles the standard deduction
1. Standard deduction amount is increased from $6350 to $12000 for single and Married Filing Separately filers, respectively. $12700 to $2400 for Married Filing Jointly and Widow Filers, respectively. $9350 to $1800 for heads of household.
Eliminates the Personal Tax Exemption: The doubled standard deduction replaces the personal tax exemption (please see section on terminology)

Eliminates Some Itemized Deductions Subject to the 2% AGI floor for Eight Years
Decreases the Mortgage Loan Amount Limit for the Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction: For new loans starting in 2018, taxpayers can deduct their mortgage interest of a loan up to $750,000 ($375,000 for Married Filing Separately taxpayers). This is a decrease from the current loan amount of $1 million. It will go back to the original $1 million amount in 2026.
Increases the Tax Deduction for Charitable Contributions: The limit for charitable cash donations to public charities and certain other organizations increases from 50% to 60% (except deductions combined with preferred seating at college sports events). The charitable standard mileage rate stays at 14% with no adjustment for inflation.
Increases the Child Tax Credit: The Child Tax Credit is increased from $1,000 to $2,000 per child (first $1,400 is refundable). The credit will start to phase out at $400,000 and more than $200,000 for other taxpayers. This increased amount would phase out in eight years.
Adds a New Tax Credit for Non-Child Dependents: There is a new $500 nonrefundable tax credit for non-child dependents/parents who are U.S. citizens. The credit can be applied to children over 17 years old, senior parents, or children with disabilities. The dependent’s Social Security Number (SSN) must be issued and provided to the IRS by the due date of a tax return in order to qualify for the credit.
Reduces the State and Local Tax Deduction: State and local property taxes up to $10,000 can be deducted, in addition to income taxes or sales taxes.
Decreases the Medical Tax Deduction Rate: The Medical Tax Deduction rate is decreased from 10% to 7.5% for 2017 and 2018 Tax Returns, regardless of age. It will rise back to 10% in 2019.
Eliminates the Moving Expenses Deduction: You can no longer deduct moving expenses related to a new job (there are some exceptions for active duty military). These expenses include the use of a vehicle as part of a move. This will expire in 2025.
Eliminates the Tax Deduction for Casualty and Theft Loss: All tax deductions for casualty and theft loss are eliminated (except for those losses attributable to a federal disaster as declared by the President) from 2018 to 2025.
Eliminates the Tax Deduction for Tax Return Preparation Expenses
Eliminates the Individual Health Care Tax Penalty: The tax penalty for not having health insurance will be eliminated in 2019. This means you would still be required to pay the penalty in 2018 (for 2017 Tax Returns) and 2019 (for 2018 Tax Returns), but not in 2020 (for 2019 Tax Returns).
Eliminates Roth IRA Reconversion: If you converted your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, you can no longer reconvert it back to an traditional IRA. Initial conversions from traditional Roth IRA are not affected.
Eliminates Home Office Deduction for Employees

A note for International Postdocs

International postdocs are subject to U.S federal and state tax laws; however, qualified residents of some countries with tax treaties may be expect from U.S taxes. Treaties typically exempt the income of foreign researchers for a period of two years, but eligibility may be restricted (please visit www.irs.org for more eligibility). Recipients of scholarships, or other non-taxable incomes, still have to file a tax report even if they don’t pay income taxes.

Table 1. New tax rates for filing year 2019
Tax rate	Single	Married/joint & widow(er)	Married/separate	Head of household
10%	$1 to $9,525	$1 to $19,050	$1 to $9,525	$1 to $13,600
12%	$9,526 to $38,700	$19,051 to $77,400	$9,526 to $38,700	$13,601 to $51,800
22%	$38,701 to $82,500	$77,401 to $165,000	$38,701 to $82,500	$51,801 to $82,500
24%	$82,501 to $157,500	$165,001 to $315,000	$82,501 to $157,500	$82,501 to $157,500
32%	$157,501 to $200,000	$315,001 to $400,000	$157,501 to $200,000	$157,500 to $200,000
35%	$200,001 to $500,000	$400,001 to $600,000	$200,001 to $300,000	$200,001 to $500,000
37%	over $500,000	over $600,000	over $300,000	over $500,000

References:

irs.org
Changes to tax law: https://www.wsj.com/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-tax-lawbefore-the-end-of-the-year-1541151030
Status of tax refunds during shutdown:
1. https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-a-shutdown-irs-will-take-your-money-but-give-no-refunds-11546462112
2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/hundreds-of-irs-employees-are-skipping-work-that-could-delay-tax-refunds/2019/01/22/1885e74e-1e7d-11e9-8e21-59a09ff1e2a1_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.5846d197e7ff
Income tax brackets: https://www.efile.com/income-tax-brackets/
Information for International Postdocs: https://www.nationalpostdoc.org/page/TaxIssues#International
Changes to tax returns: efile.com/tax-service/tax-calculator/2018-tax-calculator

October 11, 2018

Volume 8, Issue 4: Autumn 2018

Volume 8, Issue 4 is now available.

Highlights:

Congress passes spending bill increasing NIH budget
Transition to a foreign country: The International Postdoc
Meet the new BPC Co-President, Jason Goldsmith
BPC Spotlight Cafe Highlights
Announcements
Autumn events in Philly

February 7, 2018

Pluses and Minuses – Balancing the checkbook.

Natoya Peart, PhD.

On November 29, 2017, an email from the Office of the Vice Provost for Research alerted the postdoctoral community at Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM Postdoctoral Community) to some changes coming to our paycheck. Effective January 1st, all non-NRSA postdocs would have their stipends subject to FICA withholding and automatic deduction of our federal taxes. I for one, welcome the withholding of the federal taxes as I have dreaded the estimated tax payments. With those quarterly payments whose due dates were so easy to miss, I wondered, “Was I miscalculating the amount due? Did I even really have to make this payment?” (A few of my fellow postdocs do not).

Personally, I am a fan of withholding because I like having a refund. But coming to Penn, I was shocked when I received my first paycheck. It was a lot more than I expected and when I checked my paystub – I saanw that federal taxes were not withheld. I will admit to not knowing much about the US taxes besides that it must be paid. So I was confused why there was no federal taxes being deducted (a little forewarning would have been nice). Upon consulting a senior postdoc in my lab I learned that UPenn did not withhold Federal Taxes on Postdoc stipends*, and following a google search that led me to an old link on the BPC page (https://www.med.upenn.edu/bpc/tax-issues.html**) I learned that Penn policy was such that for my postdoc category Federal taxes were not withheld, but I was still responsible. So with this began my new life, learning to budget in anticipation of paying taxes.

This was perhaps the life for many postdocs at Penn, but we are in for a change. With the new changes which redefine postdoc stipends as wages, federal taxes will now be withheld, which I can live with. This money was never mine in the first place. However, the change was the FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act).

Penn was generous and to mitigate the suddenness of the change and to help alleviate the burden that this change places on the strained stipend, Penn offered a one-time stipend supplement of $2500 to the affected non-NRSA postdocs. This was initially disclosed at the Town Hall for the Penn Medicine post-docs held on Thursday, December 14, at 1:00 PM in the John Morgan Building, Reunion Auditorium. It was attended by the beleaguered postdocs, and with the presence of one tenured faculty member in the audience we learned more about the implications of the changes for not only the postdoc take home pay, but also for the PI’s grant that supported our research.

I am told I am trainee, which justifies the stipend that we are paid as we acquire more experience. But suddenly, our stipends have been redefined and now can is considered wages (which are compensatory in nature) so we are contributing to FICA. But for some, the questions are, What is FICA? What does it mean that my stipend “wage” is compensatory – since we can debate whether this compensation reflects how and how much I work? And more importantly, what does this mean for our take home pay? Will there be additional changes afoot? Will postdocs qualify for Penn retirement plans (the answer is yes, we can enroll in the Supplemental Retirement Annuity (SRA) Plan: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay/retirement-news-detail/2018/01/02/non-nrsa-post-docs-eligible-for-sra-plan)? Will postdocs (especially foreign postdocs) reap the FICA benefit in the long run? Has the postdoc track/option (if you don’t qualify for an NRSA grant) gotten less attractive? What are your thoughts? And as a final reminder, check your paycheck and set a plan for your fiscal future.

* Some postdoctoral fellows/researchers do have federal taxes withheld automatically, usually postdoctoral researchers holding a H1B visa and some J1 visa holders.

** Recently updated, but as of January 17, 2018 does not reflect the new FICA changes nor the automatic withholding.

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Volume 8, Issue 3

Happy Summer Postdocs!

Volume 8, Issue 2 – May 2018

BPC Response to the Riots

Spring Events in Philly

It’s Definitely Certain: Tax season 2019

Volume 8, Issue 4: Autumn 2018

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