Citizenship information

[starlite]

Hi Everyone!

Here is my situation:

I received my GC in July 2001, but I got accepted into a university in Canada prior to me receiving the GC. (I was living in Canada when I got my GC) So I have been out of US for these past 4 years for university, coming here only for vacations. I was granted special permission since it had to do with school. The condition was that I would be back in the US as soon as I had graduated, which I am. I was also wondering if I would still be eligible to apply for citizenship next year or do I have to wait 5 years from now?
Also, while studying in Canada, I have not filed any taxes in the US because I was told that since I was not earning anything, I wouldn't have to file them. Is that true? Or should I do my taxes for those 4 years that I missed now?

Thanks in advance for your help and time!

 

[vitalsigns]

If you want to find out whether or not you need to file a tax return go to this page:

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96623,00.html

I do not know what the special permission to study is, but you have to be in the US for 30 months out of the five years before applying for citizenship. (to be absent less than 6 months per year, that is).