Tax Filing as an International Student
Who must file tax forms for 2024 tax season?
If you were you in the U.S. on F or J status at any time between January 1 and December 31, 2024:
- You must submit Form 8843 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- You must submit this form even if you did not earn any income.
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 J-1 or F-1 visas are considered nonresidents for their first five calendar years in the United States. Scholars and researchers on J visas are considered nonresidents for two of the past six calendar years. 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 partnered with Sprintax to provide tax preparation software for nonresident students and scholars in the United States. Access codes have been emailed to all currently enrolled international students.
- Important Note:
- University staff, including our office, are not qualified or allowed to provide individual tax advice.
- Log in to Sprintax
- The software will ask questions about the time you spent in the United States.
- It will also ask about your immigration status during those years.
- Tax status determination
- Sprintax will determine whether you are a nonresident alien (NRA) or a resident alien for federal tax purposes.
- If you are a nonresident alien (NRA)
- You can continue using Sprintax to answer a series of guided questions.
- The software will complete and generate the forms you need.
- You must print, sign, and mail these forms to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service).
- If you are a resident alien
- You will not 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:
If you received this type of income, the 1042-S will be mailed to you by March 15th by the payer. Note: Only Non-Resident 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 with a link to Sprintax. This email will also include your unique access code for the platform. This access code covers the costs of your federal tax return and Form 8843, so there is no cost to you.
- To use Sprintax, create a new account by setting up a UserID and password.
- If you already have a Sprintax account, you can log in with 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, you can:
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Utilize their 24/7 live chat help
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Send them an email at hello@sprintax.com
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Or call them at 1-866-601-5695
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.
You can start by watching their How Sprintax works - video for students
DISCLAIMER:
University staff, including our office (ISS), are not permitted to assist students or scholars with 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.