Review the list below for frequently asked questions and answers about tax filing. You can find more FAQs on the Sprintax Tax Guide for F-1 International Students.
For most international students, the 1098-T is not a form you can use for tax filing. The 1098-T (Tuition Statement) is a summary of all of the fees that you have paid to the university during the tax year. It can only be used by residents for tax purposes to claim educational tax credits when filing a tax return.
Determining your Tax Residency
In general:
- F and J student visa holders are considered non-resident aliens during their first five calendar years in the U.S.
- J professors and researchers, are considered non-resident aliens during their first two calendar years in the U.S.
If you are considered a non-resident alien using the rule above, you cannot file the 1098-T with your tax return and can disregard the Bursar's email.
If you were present in the U.S. for at least one day last year, you still have a filing requirement. If you had no income, you must file Form 8843 before the deadline. The 8843 is not a tax return, but a statement that you file as a nonresident alien for tax purposes.
You are not required to have an SSN or ITIN if you did not earn any income and are only required to file IRS Form 8843.
You are only required to report U.S. sourced income. Even if you did not have any U.S. sourced income, you may still be required to file a form if you were physically present in the U.S. last year.
In general, scholarships used to pay for tuition are not considered taxable and do not need to be reported on a tax return. However, any awards exceeding your qualified educational expenses may be considered taxable income and need to be reported.
Whether or not you need to file a state tax return will depend on the tax rules of the state in which you lived and/or worked. You can find the income tax filing requirements for Arizona on the Arizona Department of Revenue webpage. For other states’ tax filing requirements, you will need to check the Department of Revenue for that state. Sprintax is available for state tax filing, but you are responsible for the filing fee.
The Form 1042-S is used by the university to report taxable scholarships or fellowship or wages, scholarships, or fellowships that are exempt from Federal income tax under an income tax treaty. If you are issued a Form 1042-S, you will be able to view the form in the main menu of your Sprintax account.
The Form 1042-S is used by the university to report taxable scholarships or fellowship or wages, scholarships, or fellowships that are exempt from Federal income tax under an income tax treaty. If you are issued a Form 1042-S, you will be able to view the form in the main menu of your Sprintax account.
You can use any tax software or resource available to U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents or complete the forms yourself. Other tax prep programs and free filing options are available on the IRS page for Resident Aliens. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program also offers free hands-on tax preparation. If using VITA, make sure to identify yourself as an international student who is now a resident alien for tax purposes.
International Student Services has purchased access to Sprintax so students can file their federal tax return at no charge, but you are responsible for the filing fee if you need to file state taxes. You can also choose to file state taxes on your own using the forms on the Arizona Department of Revenue website.
Most international students are considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes. Turbotax is not designed for nonresidents and can result in filing an incorrect return. You may end up paying more tax than you owe or receiving an incorrect tax refund. Incorrect filing is tax fraud and you may be subject to IRS fines or penalties. Misfiling could also impact future visa applications. Watch this Sprintax video to learn more.