Who must file tax forms for 2023 tax season?
Even if you did not earn any income, if you were physically in
the US on F or J status anytime between 1 January - 31 December 2023, you're
obligated to file a Form 8843 with the IRS (the Internal Revenue Service, or
'IRS', are the US tax authorities).
Meanwhile, if you earned more than $0 of taxable US source
income, 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
15 April 2024 is the last day for residents and
nonresidents who earned US income to file Federal tax returns for the
2023 tax year.
Who is considered Resident or Nonresident for Federal Tax Purposes?
Generally, most international students & scholars who are
on F, J, M or Q visas are
considered nonresidents for tax purposes. International students on J-1
& F-1 visas are automatically considered nonresident for their first five
calendar years in the US, whilst Scholars/Researchers on J visas are
automatically considered nonresidents for two out of the last six calendar
years in the US. If you've been in the US for longer than the five or two year
periods, the Substantial
Presence Test will determine your tax residency.
How to File
Sprintax is
an easy-to-use tax preparation software designed for nonresident students and
scholars in the US. We (and all other university staff) are not qualified
or allowed to provide individual tax advice.
After you login to Sprintax, you will be
asked a series of questions about the time you have spent in the US over recent
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 the software to respond to a series of guided questions. Sprintax will then
complete and generate the tax forms you need to send to the tax authorities.
However, if Sprintax determines
that you are a resident alien for federal tax purposes, you won't be able to
continue using the software and you can use something like TurboTax, only if you are a resident for tax
purposes.
Step by Step guide on How to File Your Nonresident 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 have received this type of income, the 1042-S will be mailed to you by 15 March by the payer. Note: Only Nonresident Aliens receive this form. If your tax status changes to Resident Alien you will not get a 1042-S. Login to Sprintax to check your tax status if you're not sure.
|
US entry and exit dates for current and past visits to the US
|
In addition to passport stamps, you can review or print your US travel history here
|
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.
|
Follow the Sprintax instructions
If you did not earn any US Income: Sprintax will
generate a completed Form 8843 for you and each of your dependents (if you have
any). This form can also be completed easily on paper at no cost to you.
If you did earn US 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, you will have the option
to use Sprintax for
an additonal fee. However, it is your choice to use them or to do the state tax
return on your own on paper.
Read the instructions for filing/mailing your returns
Remember to read the instructions that Sprintax provides.
You will be required to download, print and sign your federal
tax return and mail it to the IRS. If you have a state filing requirement, you
must also mail this to the tax authorities.
Finally, if you only need to file Form 8843, this will also need
to be mailed to the IRS.
Need Sprintax Support
If you need help while using Sprintax, you can contact their support team using the options below
Email - hello@sprintax.com
24/7 Live Chat Help
Refer to their FAQs
Sprintax Educational Tax Videos and Blog
You also have access to the Sprintax YouTube account where
there are a number of educational videos on nonresident taxes. These will
provide further clarity on nonresident tax and how to use Sprintax. Sprintax
also offer a range of useful content on their blog to help you file your return.
DISCLAIMER: The Office of Global Support and Student Engagement
(OGSSE) and the school 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.
- stipend, scholarship, fellowship income and travel grants (not tuition reduction or exemption)
- income covered by a tax treaty
- payment for other types of services (eg by the semester as a note-taker)