Tax Filing Support
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.
View 2022 Tax Filing Workshop Powerpoint (2/16/23)
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If you earned income in 2023
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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.
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If you did not earn income but received a scholarship, fellowship or grant in 2023
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
If you do not have a social security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), you will need to apply for an ITIN with the Internal Revenue Service before you can file your taxes. You should apply for an ITIN before the tax season begins because it can take several weeks to get an ITIN.
If you have been awarded a scholarship, fellowship or grant, you are required to file a federal tax return. You may or may not have to pay taxes on your scholarship, fellowship or grant, depending on which country you are from and whether there is a tax treaty between the U.S. and your country.
For tax purposes, students who already have an Social Security Number (SSN), or who are not eligible to apply for an SSN, must apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. An ITIN is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS issues ITINs to international students who are not eligible to obtain a social security number. An ITIN is not the same as a social security number, and does not offer the same benefits. It is for U.S. federal income tax filing purposes only.
You cannot have both an ITIN and an SSN. If you receive an ITIN and then get a job on-campus (or work authorization to work off-campus), you will have to rescind your ITIN.
Note: If you already have an ITIN you can ignore this email. If you have applied for an ITIN in the past and have not yet received it, please email ISSS at intl@uoregon.edu.
Application Process
You should apply for your ITIN after you have arrived to the U.S. It takes several months for the IRS to issue ITINs so please do not wait to start this process.
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Schedule Zoom Appointment
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Schedule Appointment with International Student Advisor
What is a W8BEN
If you can claim the benefits of a tax treaty, you must also complete Form W-8BEN. You will find a list of countries with tax treaty benefits for scholarships, fellowships or grants at https://apps.irs.gov/app/vita/content/globalmedia/treaty_benefits_incomecode15.pdf. Download Form W-8BEN: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8ben.pdf. Joy Germack will assist you with completing Form W-8BEN when you meet with her to apply for an ITIN.
How to Rescind ITIN Number After Getting Social Security Number
After you receive your new SSN, you will have to send a letter to the ISR ITIN Unit requesting a rescindment of your ITIN. The SSN will become your primary number and must be used for all future tax filing purposes. The IRS will void the ITIN. All prior tax information under the ITIN will be associated with the new SSN.
1 .Send a letter, with copies of your ITIN and SSN, to:
Internal Revenue Service
Austin, TX 73301-0057
2. Inform your bank and all other financial institutions regarding the change from ITIN to SSN.
How To File
ISSS has partnered with Sprintax to offer tax filing support to international students and visiting scholars. Below is a link to Sprintax to set up your account as well as your unique code to use on Sprintax. This unique code will cover the costs of the federal tax return and 8843 at no cost to you. All other required tax forms will be your responsibility. 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.
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Create A Sprintax Account
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Follow Sprintax Instructions
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If required, complete your state tax return
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Sprintax Resources
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.·
· Thursday March 2nd @ 4pm ET – Register here
· Wednesday March 22nd @ 2pm ET – Register here
· Wednesday March 29th @ 1pm ET – Register here
· Thursday April 6th @ 3pm ET – Register here
· Wednesday April 12th @ 12pm ET – Register here
· Friday April 14th @ 2pm ET – Register here
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.
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)
Documents You May Need For Filing Taxes
Passport | Have handy when filing with Sprintax |
I-20 (F Status) or DS-2019 (J Status) | Have handy when filing with Sprintax |
Social Security Number or ITIN | Have handy when filing with Sprintax. 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 e mailed to you by 15 March. Note: Only Nonresident 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. |
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 https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home |
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. |
UO Resources
Link to ISSS email sent January 30, 2023: https://mailchi.mp/uoregon/isss-tax-filing-support
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.