INTERNATIONAL TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
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WHO NEEDS TO FILE A U.S. TAX RETURN?
All international students! As an international student in the US, it’s very important that you comply with US tax law and understand the tax filing requirements of your visa. If any of the following circumstances apply to you during calendar year (January 1 – December 31) 2023, you MUST file a US tax return:
- You had no earnings
- You worked in the US
- You received a stipend, grant or allowance in 2023
If you were working, you would’ve been subject to Federal and State taxes and therefore must file a tax return each year. If you did not work or receive income in the US you’re still legally obliged to file a tax return to declare no earnings.
The IRS Tax Filing Deadline in 2024 for the 2023 Tax Year: April 15, 2024
International Tax Assistance Program
Filing taxes in the US can be complex due to intricate tax laws. Our aim is to guide you in determining what to file and the resources available for assistance. This helps ensure compliance with visa status regulations.
The US federal and state governments tax income, scholarships, and various financial gains. Taxes are typically withheld from you paycheck before payment, and individuals must file reports by a specific deadline after the tax year ends to reconcile payments made with government expectations. If your payments fall short of the total tax due, you’re responsible for paying the shortfall. Conversely, if you’ve overpaid, you’ll receive a refund from the federal and/or state revenue department.
NOTE: The IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers by email, phone call, text message, or social media.
NO EARNINGS IN 2023?
File Form 8843 to declare no earnings and ensure you remain in complaince. If you or your dependents were present in 2023 but did not work or receive income in the US, each are still legally obliged to file this form.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes! Every international student in the United States is required to file tax paperwork, even if they have not worked.
No- if you are considered a Non-Resident for Tax Purposes. The discounted Sprintax software provided by ISL is the only tax software that UGA’s non-resident international students should use. Other programs may give you incorrect paperwork and require amended tax returns at a later date. ISL is only able to provide support to non-residents for tax purposes who utilize Sprintax software.
While making a mistake on your return is not necessarily a big deal, it is important that you rectify the situation by filing an amended tax return, where appropriate. If you realize that you made an error on a tax return you already filed, or you have come across new information (for example you received an additional W-2 or 1042-S), simply file an amended nonresident tax return to make a correction.
Nonresidents who file their tax returns with form 1040 (which is for U.S. citizens and residents) instead of the return for nonresidents (Form 1040NR) may claim credits or take deductions to which they are not entitled. This means their tax return will be inaccurate and they could get into trouble with the IRS later on.
NOTE: most of the online tax filing solutions like TurboTax and H&R Block do not support NRA tax returns. If you filed online, most certainly you filed as a resident alien.
Due to the large volume of international tax assistance requests in years past, ISL, along with the other universities in Georgia, have determined that providing the Sprintax program was the most cost and time effective approach to providing quality and accurate assistance to international students and scholars. As such, the cost of providing Federal filing codes and running the ITAP program with workshop volunteers requires financial resources. The $10 fee assessed by ITAP helps ISL offset the costs associated with this service. It is important to understand that tax assistance for anyone typically costs some sort of fee. ISL is committed to keeping this fee as low as possible while also accounting for expected costs with running this service.
Yes! After registering for ITAP and purchasing a Sprintax code, you will receive information on how to sign up for Sprintax workshops held either in-person or Zoom. Note that ISL Staff ARE NOT tax professionals. We are able to assist with general questions related to Sprintax.
You will need to file resident forms. Unfortunately, ISL cannot assist students who need to file resident tax forms. Resident tax forms are available online or at local libraries, or you can use software like Turbo Tax. There also are free online tax software programs at the federal IRS website for resident tax issues.
Each student’s situation is unique. Tax return results can vary due to income differences, tax treaty details, and days present in the USA. ISL strongly advises you from comparing your results with others, as it will often lead to confusion and unnecessary concern.
Scammers often send fake IRS or UGA emails, appearing genuine with “irs.gov” or “irsservices@uga.edu” addresses. These phishing attempts use subject lines like “Tax Refund Payment” and ask for personal details via a link—avoid clicking these links.
If you get such an email, don’t click any links. Instead, save the email using “save as” and forward it as an attachment to phishing@irs.gov. Remember, the IRS won’t initiate email contact without consent. While they may email if you’ve provided your address, they won’t include links for refunds or request sensitive details like SSN or bank info. For further queries, contact the International Tax Assistance Program at isltax@uga.edu.
Here is a list of mailing locations in Athens. You can buy envelopes and postage at these locations. We also recommend getting a tracking number, so you will know if your forms were delivered. The IRS will not contact you to confirm receipt of forms.
IRS Free File Website – ONLY if you are considered a RESIDENT for tax purposes
IRS Free File Website – ONLY if you are considered a RESIDENT for tax purposes
ITIN REQUEST INSTRUCTIONS
ITIN REQUEST INSTRUCTIONS
FORM 8843 INSTRUCTIONS
FORM 8843 INSTRUCTIONS
HOW TO ACCESS YOUR W-2 FORM AT UGA
HOW TO ACCESS YOUR W-2 FORM AT UGA
TAX FILING WEBINARS PROVIDED BY SPRINTAX
Limited space available, reserve your ticket today. Each student number is valid for one student ticket per event.
Sprintax Nonresident Tax Webinar (EAP)
In these tax webinars, international students, scholars and professionals will be run through everything they need to know about nonresident tax for the 2023 tax season.
Topics will include who must file, tax residency, FICA, State returns, implications of misfiling as well as how to use Sprintax to prepare a compliant tax return.
- Wednesday, February 28th@ 12pm EST – Register here
- Monday, March 11th @ 4pm EST – Register here
- Thursday, March 28th @ 3pm EST –Register here
- Wednesday, April 3rd @ 2pm EST – Register here
- Thursday, April 11th @ 1pm EST – Register here
- Monday, April 15th @ 11am EST – Register here
Sprintax Nonresident Tax Overview for OPT/CPT
Topics covered in these webinars will include residency for tax purposes, tax liabilities when
on OPT/CPT and pre-employment tax forms when on OPT/CPT. The Sprintax team will also
provide an overview of Sprintax Forms which can be used to prepare your pre OPT/CPT
employment tax documents.
- Wednesday, February 28th @ 2pm EST – Register here
- Thursday, March 21th @3pm EST – Register here