Thanks for your reply. Perhaps the CIB has an option where you can email them with your questions rather than visit in person or chat online. It may be easier to get info that way. I'm sorry that your government has such a restrictive policy about aid. Hope that you can get some soon. As far as the taxes are concerned the form you have to file to the IRS is called a 1040NR (for non-resident). There is no real hurry, because IRS regulations say you have three years to file your return before you will lose any refund you have due. Since you are not a resident and spend no time working in the US, you should owe no taxes. The other possibility (which I hope is not true) is that Itch is taking the money out to pay THEIR taxes. I've heard other devs complain about how much Itch takes out. Perhaps you can contact Itch and ask them where the money is going. Good luck.