General U.S. Tax Information for International Students on F and J visas

It is TAX FILING SEASON! 

All international F and J students are required to report their presence in the U.S., and some students are also required to file income tax form if they worked and earned money in the U.S. during the 2023 calendar year.

International Education (IE) staff cannot give guidance on filing taxes.  IE has arranged access to Sprintax for you. Sprintax will guide you through the tax preparation process, arrange the necessary documents and check if you’re due a tax refund.

All International F and J Students Must File a Tax Return

These are the two most common options for you as F or J international students in the U.S.:

If you were physically present in the U.S. but DID NOT EARN U.S. source income during the calendar year 2023 (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023), then complete Form 8843 only and mail it to IRS by June 15, 2024.

If you were physically present in the U.S. and EARNED U.S. source income during the calendar year 2023, then you must fill out Form 8843 AND Form 1040NR and send both to IRS by April 15, 2024. 
Notes: Around the second week of February 2024, IE will send the online sign-up form for the Sprintax access code, which you can use to finish both forms. IE has 50 codes only for a discounted price.

TAX FORMS, STEPS FOR FILING TAXES, AND DEADLINES:

Required Documents:

  1. Form I-20 for F-1 students or Form DS-2019 for J-1 students
  2. Passport
  3. F-1 or J-1 visa
  4. Most recent I-94 record
  5. Your current U.S. and foreign addresses
  6. Travel records to identify your U.S. entry and exit dates in 2023

Can I use Sprintax?

You might sign-up, but it’s not required.

What Tax Form Needed?

Form 8843 only

Form 8843 Mailing Address:

Make a copy for your record and send it to this address via U.S. postal mail:

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Center
Austin, TX 73301-0215

Deadline:

June 15, 2024

For Students EARNED U.S. Source Income in 2023: Need Both Form 8843 AND Form 1040NR

Required Documents:

  1. Form I-20 for F-1 students or Form DS-2019 for J-1 students
  2. Passport
  3. F-1 or J-1 visa
  4. Most recent I-94 record
  5. Your current U.S. and foreign addresses
  6. Travel records to identify your U.S. entry and exit dates in 2023
  7. Form W-2* from each of your employer
  8. Form 1099 if any.
    Example: Form 1099-INT is an IRS form issued by banks to show any interest you may have earned in a year
  9. Your social security number

(*) Your employer may send your W2 via postal mail to your address or you may print it online. 

What Tax Form Needed?

Form 8843 and Form 1040NR

Deadline:

April 15, 2024

Can I use Sprintax?

You may sign-up for a Sprintax access code to file both forms.

Access Sprintax Account Now

View a short video from Sprintax for instructions about the Residency Page.

Login to Sprintax and answer the Residency questions to find out if you are nonresident or resident for tax purpose.

Instructions to answer questions and enter the BC user code to submit

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.

  1. Thursday February 8th @ 10am PST – Register here
  2. Tuesday February 20th @ 9am PST – Register here
  3. Tuesday March 5th @ 1pm PST – Register here
  4. Wednesday March 20th @ 11am PST – Register here
  5. Wednesday March 27th @ 10am PST – Register here
  6. Thursday April 4th @ 12pm PST – Register here
  7. Wednesday April 10th @ 9am PST – Register here
  8. Monday April 15th @ 10am PST – Register here

https://www.irs.gov/

Last Updated February 8, 2024