Tax Filing Season and Deadline
The 2023 tax filing season is for income earned in the U.S. and scholarships/fellowships received from January 1 – December 31, 2023. The tax filing deadline is April 15, 2024.
Download the tax filing information session presented by ISSS on February 29, 2024.
Tax Filing Requirement
Even if you did not earn any income, if you were physically in the US on F or J status anytime between January 1st – December 31st 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 any 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).
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.
Summary Overview:
1. If you did not earn income and did not receive a scholarship, fellowship or grant in 2023, but you were physically present in the U.S., you are only required to complete IRS Form 8843, if you are considered a non-resident for tax purposes. (if you are a resident for tax purposes you do not have to file Form 8843.) You can file 8843 on your own or you can use Sprintax (see How to File below.) How to File Form 8843 - instructions for nonresident aliens.
- Documents you may need to file: Form 8843
- When to file: by April 15, 2024
2. If you earned income in 2023, you are required to file a federal tax return (1040 NR) and state tax return. Earned income is reported on a W-2 which can be found in your Duckweb account under Employee information. You must also file IRS Form 8843 which is required of all international students.
- Documents you may need to file: W-2 (found in Duckweb under Employee Information); 1042-S (mailed by UO Business Affairs) if your income is covered by a tax treaty.
- When to file: By April 15, 2024
3. If you did not earn income but received a scholarship, fellowship or grant in 2023, you are required to file a federal tax return (1040 NR) and possibly a state tax return. Scholarship, fellowship or grant information is reported on Form 1042-S which will be mailed to you around March 15, 2024. Not all international students who receive scholarships, fellowships and grants will be issued Form 1042-S. Only those whose awards exceeded their qualified tuition and education-related expenses will receive a 1042-S. If you receive a 1042-S, you must file a federal tax return with information from the 1042-S. You must also file IRS Form 8843 which is required of all international students.
- Documents you may need to file: 1042-S (Not all international students who receive scholarships, fellowships and grants will be issued Form 1042-S. Only those whose awards exceeded their qualified tuition and education-related expenses will receive a 1042-S.)
- When to file: After March 15 and by April 15, 2024 (if you receive Form 1042-S)
How to File a Tax Return
We have teamed up with Sprintax to provide you with 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. Generally, most international students & scholars who are on F or J visas are considered nonresidents for tax purposes. International students on F and J 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. Sprintax will help you determine your tax status, so you don't have to figure this out on your own.
If Sprintax determines that you are a "resident alien" for federal tax purposes, you won’t be able to continue using the software. Instead, you can use other online tax preparation software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or you can get personal assistance from a professional tax preparer in the community.
Step 1: Gather the documents you may need for Sprintax
Document | Description |
| Have handy when filing with Sprintax |
| Proof of health insurance coverage. This will be mailed to you. |
| This is not needed if you had no income or scholarship, fellowship or grant, and the 8843 is the only form you have to file. |
| 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. |
| This form is used to report:
If you received this type of income, the 1042-S will be e mailed to you by 15 March by the payer. Note: Only Nonresident Aliens receive this form. If your tax status changes to a Resident Alien you willnot get a 1042-S. Loginto Sprintax to check your tax statusif you’re not sure. |
| In addition to passport stamps, you can review or print your US travel history here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home |
| This form reports miscellaneous income. Can be interest on bank accounts, stocks, bonds, dividends, earning through freelance employment |
| This form is to claim education expense tax credits by those who are resident tax filers. Nonresident tax filers cannot claim education expense tax credits. |
Step 2: Create a Sprintax Account
Create a Sprintax account with this LINK, which includes an embedded code (UOR750F23) for UO students that will cover the costs of the federal tax return and form 8843 at no cost to you. You can also refer to Sprintax Instructions for Students.
Open your new Sprintax account by creating a User ID and password or if you have an existing account on Sprintax you can login using your existing credentials.
Step 3: 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).
If you did earn US Income: Sprintax will generate your “tax return documents”, including form 1040NR, depending on your circumstances.
Step 4: 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 additional fee. However, it is your choice to use them or to do the state tax return on your own.
Step 5: 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. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to E-file your Federal tax return. However, this will depend on certain eligibility criteria. You can learn more about eligibility in this Sprintax blog - https://blog.sprintax.com/nonresident-federal-tax-efiling-live/
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.
Sprintax Nonresident Tax Webinars
In this tax webinar, international students, scholars and professionals will be run through everything they need to know about nonresident tax for the 2022 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, January 24th @ 3pm ET – Register here
- Thursday, February 8th @ 1pm ET – Register here
- Tuesday, February 20th @ 12pm ET – Register here
- Tuesday, March 5th @ 4pm ET – Register here
- Wednesday, March 20th @ 2pm ET – Register here
- Wednesday, March 27th @ 1pm ET – Register here
- Thursday, April 4th @ 3pm ET – Register here
- Wednesday, April 10th @ 12pm ET – Register here
- Monday, April 15th @ 1pm ET – Register here
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 (available once you create a Sprintax account and login)
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 offers a range of useful content on their blog to help you file your return.
UO RESOURCES
UO Tax Information for International Students
Oregon State Income Tax Return
DISCLAIMER: The University of Oregon, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) and the university 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.