Current Students - Employment - Income Tax information

ALL F-1 students, and their dependents, must file form 8843 even if they earned no income in the U.S. If you had no income, complete the top of the form, and Parts I and III, sign on the back, and mail it to the address on the form.

If you earned income in the U.S., then the 8843 should be attached to your form 1040NR EZ or 1040NR. Otherwise, it should be sent by itself.

There can be immigration consequences for failing to file tax forms. For example, applicants for a change from F-1 to H-1B (temporary worker visa) can be asked by the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Service to submit copies of previous years' income tax forms as part of their H-1B application. Applicants for permanent residency (LPR, "green card") can be asked to show copies of tax forms filed for previous years. A person who appears at a U.S. consulate abroad for consular processing of a permanent residency visa application may be asked to produce U.S. income tax forms from their previous years in the U.S.

The International Student Advisor is neither qualified nor permitted to give individual tax advice. To learn more about paying taxes, use the resources below or seek the assistance of a qualified tax professional.

Locally, Goldenrod Hills Community Action Agency often helps students with their taxes. Call them at 402.375.1111 to see if they can assist you with your taxes. You must show proof that you are eligible, and they should be able to accept the following documents as proof, so be sure to take them along to your visit: SEVIS I-20, I-94 Arival/Depature Record, and your WSC student ID card. You should also take your social security card along if you have one.

 

The University of Texas, Austin (UTA) has a web page on nonresident taxes. Please take a look at their site and use their Guide for Nonresident Aliens Preparing Federal Income Tax Returns to learn more about filing your Federal Taxes.

Forms for filing federal income tax

Form 8843 - All foreign students (and dependants, if applicable) MUST file this form. It is a "Statement for Exempt Individuals" that exempts international students from being treated as residents for tax purposes.

Form 1040NR-EZ - If you have no dependents or deductions and earned income in the current tax year, you must file this form. Depending on how much you earned, you may be eligible to get a refund of your taxes by filing this form. 1040NR-EZ Instructions.

 

Form 1040NR-Long Form is similar but is more appropriate for student s with dependents and/or additional deductions and credits. 1040NR-Long Form Instructions.

What to do if Social Security and Medicare taxes were withheld from your paycheck in error

Foreign students do not need to pay Social Security or Medicare. If you see on your W-2 form that these have been withheld, you may qualify for a refund. Visit the UTA website to learn about refund eligibility.

 

Form 843 - This is a "Claim for Refund" used by international students to claim a refund for Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld by employers in error.

Federal tax information assistance

Internal Revenue Service (U.S. Government site with tax information for Foreign students and scholars)

 

International Student Taxes (a commercial site to help you file your taxes).

 

Guide for Nonresident Aliens Preparing Federal Income Tax Returns at the University of Texas, Austin