US Tax Information

US Tax Information

As an international student or scholar in the U.S., it is especially important that students or scholars comply with U.S. tax law and understand the tax filing requirements of their visa. For an explanation of U.S. Tax Return, watch this video.

Sprintax software will assist students and scholars file a timely and accurate return, meet the tax obligations of their academic visa, and maximize their tax refund.  Sprintax  is an easy-to-use, step-by-step tool that helps prepare students and scholars taxes online. Follow the simple instructions, answer questions, and  Sprintax will do the rest.   

Currently registered on-campus FHSU international students, scholars, and students active on OPT will receive:  

• Emails to prep you for the tax filing obligation—January-February  
  • Watch for W2 and 1042-S tax forms to be mailed to you
• Emails with instructions for the tax filing obligation—March-April  
  • Income Tax Return deadline
  • Access code to Sprintax ’s FREE Federal tax return preparation
  • State of Kansas tax return for a small fee

Who must file tax forms for the 2024 tax season?  
If any of the following circumstances apply to students or scholars, they are REQUIRED to file a U.S. income tax return:  

• Worked in the U.S.  
• Received a stipend, grant or allowance, scholarship  
• Did not work or receive income in the U.S., but were physically present, students or scholars are still  REQUIRED to file Form 8843 to declare no earnings.

Who is considered Resident or Nonresident for Federal Tax Purposes?  
Generally, most international students and scholars who are on F or J 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 U.S. If students or scholars have been in the U. S. for longer than the five years, the  Substantial Presence Test will determine their tax residency. Students or scholars who meet the substantial presence test can go VITA sites, use TurboTax, or any business who prepares tax returns for domestic citizens.  

How to File  
The International Student Services Office at FHSU has teamed up with SPRINTAX to provide  an easy-to-use tax preparation software designed for nonresident students and scholars in the U.S. Our office staff (and all other university staff) are not qualified or allowed to provide individual tax advice. 

After students or scholars login to Sprintax, they will be asked a series of questions about the time they  have spent in the U.S. over recent years.  Sprintax will then determine the students or scholars tax status. If it determines that the student or scholar is a "nonresident" for Federal tax purposes, they can continue to use the software to respond to a series of guided questions. Sprintax will then complete and generate the tax forms they need to sign and send to the tax authorities.   

However, if Sprintax determines that a student or scholar is a resident for Federal tax purposes, they will not be able to continue using the Sprintax software.  

The office will be hosting workshops to help you through this process as it can be difficult.  We strongly encourage you to attend these workshops.

WORKSHOP SERIES 1 -- General Overview Of Tax Obligations For International Students Workshop - Purpose of this workshop is to provide students with a general overview of US taxes, what this means for students, introduce Sprintax, forms you will need, and what to be watching for. You only need to attend one of these workshops.

WORKSHOP SERIES 2 -- Sprintax Tax Webinars - Purpose of a Sprintax Prep Session is to provide students with a more in-depth look into Sprintax and how it will help students complete the income tax return that is hosted by Sprintax staff.  You only need to attend one webinar. I will register for the following webinars that are being offered for students to attend as a group.  Students only need to attend one of the webinars. 

WORKSHOP SERIES 3 -- Sprintax working sessions - Purpose is to provide students with dedicated time to come work on your Sprintax filing with me being available to help with questions instead of coming into the office.  You can attend as many of these as you need.

Dates coming soon!

Step by Step guide on How to File Your Nonresident Tax Forms (F and J visa) 

STEP 1 -  Gather documents  

Passport 
Visa 
I-20 or DS-2019 
Social Security Card 
W2--T his form reports wage earnings if a student or scholar worked. If they had more than one employer, they 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. 
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 (example: by the semester as a note-taker)

If a student or scholar received this type of income, the 1042-S will be mailed in mid-March and distributed by the State of Kansas.  Only Nonresident Aliens receive this form. If a student or scholars tax status changes to a Resident Alien, they will not receive a 1042-S.  
I-94 travel history   
1098-T -- This form is NOT needed and can NOT be used for a nonresident tax return because non-resident aliens are not eligible to claim education expense tax credits. 
1099-- This form reports miscellaneous income. Can be interest on bank accounts, stocks, bonds, dividends, earning through freelance employment  

STEP 2 -  Create a Sprintax account 
Students and scholars will receive an email from the International Student Services Office that provides a link to  Sprintax to set up the account as well as a unique code to use at checkout when complete. This unique code will cover the cost of the Federal tax return and 8843 at no cost to the student or scholar. Open a Sprintax account by creating a UserID and password or if you have an existing account on Sprintax the student or scholar can login using the existing credentials. 
 
STEP 3 - Follow Sprintax instructions for Federal income tax return
If students or scholars DID NOT earn any U.S. Income, Sprintax will generate a completed Form 8843 for the student or scholar and each of the dependents (if any).  

If students or scholars DID earn U.S. income, Sprintax will generate the "tax return documents", including either a 1040NR-EZ or a longer form 1040NR, depending on the students or scholars' circumstances.  Students or scholars will asnwer guided questions and input information in the Sprintax platform.

STEP 4 - Complete State income tax return (if applicable) 
After the student or scholar finishes the Federal return, Sprintax will inform the student or scholar if they need to complete a State tax return. If so, they will have the option to use Sprintax for an additional fee. However, it is  the students or scholar's choice to use Sprintax or to do the State tax return on your own. Our office STRONGLY recommends to proceed with Sprintax to file the State income tax return and this filing is also required.  

STEP 5 - Sign and mail forms to IRS and State
Read the instructions that Sprintax provides. Students and scholars will be required to download, print and sign the Federal tax return and mail it to the IRS. If there is a State filing requirement, this must also be signed and mailed to the State of Kansas.  Finally, if there is only a need to file Form 8843, this will also need to be mailed to the IRS.

Detailed instructions for downloading, signing, and mailing your income tax returns.

RESOURCES
Landing Page link for Sprintax
Sprintax instruction guide Sprintax YouTube videos with testimonials and how Sprintax works
Sprintax FAQ's
For any questions, please contact info@sprintax.com