skip to main content
UTRGV The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Main Menu
Donate Now Directory myUTRGV

You are here:

Funding & Resources Tax Information

International Student Services Division of Strategic Enrollment and Student Affairs

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Welcome Message
    • Vision
    • Mission Statement
    • Important Websites
    • Facts & Statistics
  • Prospective Students
    • International Undergraduate After Admissions
    • International Graduate After Admissions
    • Transient Students
    • International Admissions Specialist
  • Admitted Students
    • F-1 Visa Process
    • Other Visa Types
    • Enrollment Requirement
    • Transfer-in Advisement
    • Newly Admitted Forms
    • I Am a Buddy Program
    • New International Student Orientation
  • Current Students
    • Maintaining Good Standing
    • Department Forms
    • Academic Expectations
    • ISS Services
      • Travel Endorsement
      • Transfer-Out Advisement
    • CPT
    • OPT/STEM-OPT
    • International Student Advisors
    • Student Guide
    • Change of Status
    • F-1 Reinstatement
    • Travel Information
  • Funding & Resources
    • Cost of Attendance
    • Health Insurance
    • Scholarships
    • International Events
    • On Campus Employment
      • Assistantships
      • Career Center
    • Tax Information
    • Family Invitations
  • J-1 and NSE Programs
    • J-1 Exchange Visitor Program
      • International Exchange Student
      • J-1 Student Intern Program
      • Visiting Scholar and Researchers
    • J-1 Student & Scholar Financial Requirements
    • National Student Exchange
    • International Student Advisor - Exchanges
  • Contact Us
    • ISS Team
    • Organizational Chart
    • Emergency
    • FAQs

Current Students - Related Links

  • Maintaining Good Standing
  • Department Forms
  • Academic Expectations
  • ISS Services
    • Travel Endorsement
    • Transfer-Out Advisement
  • CPT
  • OPT/STEM-OPT
  • International Student Advisors
  • Student Guide
  • Change of Status
  • F-1 Reinstatement
  • Travel Information

Contact Us

International Student Services
Brownsville Campus: BMAIN Bldg. 1.308
Edinburg Campus EMASS Bldg. 1.102
Email: international@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 882-7092 or (956) 665-2922
Fax: (956) 665-2281
Facebook

Quick Links

  • UTRGV Facebook
  • ISS Facebook
  • UTRGV Twitter
  • UTRGV YouTube
  • UTRGV LinkedIn
  • Campus Maps

Tax Filing as an International Student

Who must file tax forms for 2024 tax season?

If you were physically in the U.S. in F or J status anytime between January 1 - December 31, 2024, you're obligated to send one form, Form 8843, to the U.S. tax agency IRS (Internal Revenue Service), even if you had no income. For the 2021 tax season, if you earn $1 of US source income or greater, you may need to file a federal tax return with the IRS. Depending on your individual circumstances, you may also need to file a state tax return(s).

Tax Filing Deadline:

April 15, 2025 is the last day for residents and non-residents who earned U.S. income to file Federal tax returns for 2023.

Resident or Non-Resident for Federal Tax Purposes:

Generally, most international students & scholars who are on F, J, M visas are considered non-residents for tax purposes. International undergraduate students on J1 & F1 visas are automatically considered non-resident for their first 5 calendar years in the US, whilst Scholars/Researchers on J visas are automatically considered non-residents for 2 out of the last 6 calendar years in the US. If you’ve been in the US for longer than the 5 or 2 year periods, the Substantial Presence Test will determine your tax residency.

How to File:

We have teamed up with Sprintaxto provide you with easy-to-use tax preparation software designed for non-resident students and scholars in the U.S. Access codes were emailed to all currently enrolled international students. We (and all other university staff) are not qualified or allowed to provide individual tax advice.

After you login to Sprintax, it will ask you a series of questions about the time you have spent in the United States and in which immigration status, looking back over a period of years. Sprintax will then determine your tax status. If it determines that you are a "nonresident alien" (NRA) for federal tax purposes, you can continue to use it to respond to a series of guided questions. Sprintax will complete and generate the forms you need to print, sign, and mail to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). If it determines you are a resident alien for federal tax purposes, you won't be able to continue using the software.

Step by Step guide on How to File Your Non-Resident Tax Forms (F and J)

  • Gather the documents you may need for Sprintax

Document

Description

✔

Passport

✔

Visa/Immigration information, including form I-20 (F status) or form DS-2019 (J status)

✔

Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (if you have one)

This is not needed if you had no income and the 8843 is the only form you have to file.

✔

W-2

This form reports your wage earnings if you worked.

If you had more than one employer you should get a W-2 from each employer. It is issued by the  end of January for the previous year. Make sure all employers from last year have an up-to-date  address for you.

✔

1042-S

This form is used to report:

  1. stipend, scholarship, fellowship income and travel grants (not tuition reduction or exemption)
  2. income covered by a tax treaty
  3. payment for other types of services (e.g. by the semester as a note-taker)

If you received this type of income, the 1042-S will be mailed to you by March 15th by the payer.

Note: Only NonResident Aliens receive this form. If your tax status changes to a Resident Alien you will not get a 1042-S. Login to Sprintax to check your tax status if you're not sure.

✔

U.S. entry and exit dates for current and past visits to the U.S.

In addition to passport stamps, you can review or print your U.S. travel history

✔

1099

This form reports miscellaneous income. Can be interest on bank accounts, stocks, bonds, dividends, earning through freelance employment

✘

1098-T

This form is NOT needed and can NOT be used for a nonresident tax return because NRAs are not eligible to claim education expense tax credits.

 

  • Create a Sprintax Account:

You will receive an email from the international student office providing you with a link to Sprintax to set up your account as well as your unique code to use on Sprintax. This unique code will cover the costs of the federal tax return and 8843 at no cost to you. Open your new Sprintax account by creating a UserID and password or if you have an existing account on Sprintax you can log in using your existing credentials.

  • Follow the Sprintax instructions

If you had No U.S. Income: Sprintax will generate a completed Form 8843 for you and each of your dependents (if you have any).

With U.S. Income: Sprintax will generate your "tax return documents", including either a 1040NR-EZ or a longer form 1040NR, depending on your circumstances.

  • (With U.S. income only) If required, complete your state tax return

After you finish your federal return, Sprintax will inform you if you need to complete a state tax return. If so, they will give you the option to use Sprintax for an individual fee. However, it is your choice to use them or to do the state tax return on your own.

  • Mail your completed federal and/or state forms to IRS and/or state tax authorities
  • Remember to read the mailing instructions that Sprintax provides. If you have dependents, each one must mail their 8843 in a separate envelope.

 

Need Sprintax Support?

If you need help while using Sprintax, contact them:

24/7 live chat Help

Refer to their FAQs

email at hello@sprintax.com

Call 1-866-601-5695

Sprintax link

Sprintax Educational Tax Videos and Blog:

You also have access to the Sprintax YouTube account where there are a number of educational videos on non-resident taxes to provide further clarity on the subject of using Sprintax and non-resident tax. There is also a Sprintax Blog which go through tax related topics and can be of use to you.

https://youtu.be/DgcLFMYgpHo

 

DISCLAIMER: International Student Services (ISS) and UTRGV are NOT permitted to assist any student/scholar with any IRS tax form preparation or tax related questions. The information provided is intended for your benefit. Any questions or concerns should be directed to Sprintax, a certified tax preparer or a local IRS field office.

 

Jump to Top

UTRGV

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • CARES, CRRSAA and ARP Reporting
  • Site Policies
  • Contact UTRGV
  • Required Links
  • Fraud Reporting
  • Senate Bill 18 Reporting
  • UTRGV Careers
  • Clery Act Reports
  • Web Accessibility
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Sexual Misconduct Policy
  • Reporting Sexual Misconduct