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Taxes

All F and J international students and scholars who were present in the U.S. during any portion of the past calendar year are required to file tax forms with the Internal Revenue Service. This is true whether or not you worked in the U.S., gained income in the U.S., or received a scholarship during the past calendar year. The information contained on this website is meant to aid UHV international students' and scholars' understanding of the basics of U.S. tax law and being tax filing process.

International Programs Office does not have tax experts and therefore cannot, by law answer specific tax questions or help you prepare your tax forms. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to meet your tax obligations.

Who needs to file (submit) a tax return?

Even if you did not earn any income, if you were physically in the US on F or J status anytime between 1 January – 31 December 2020, 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 more than $0 of 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).

Residency Status
Generally, most international students & scholars who are on F, J, M or Q visas are considered nonresidents for tax purposes ONLY. 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.

Nonresident Vs Resident
U.S. tax law divides people into residents and nonresidents for tax purposes. Residency status (International Students) for tax purposes does not make you a resident for immigration or does not offer you residency rate for tuition. Residency for tax purposes determined by the above mentioned Substantial Presence Test. Residents for tax purposes billow the same rules as U.S. citizens and are taxed on world-wide income. Nonresidents for tax purses follow different rules and are taxes on U.S. sourced income only.

Nonresidents are not eligible

The Forms to file Taxes


As a F-1/J-1 student under non-resident status how to file Taxes

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. If it determines that you are a "nonresident alien" (NRA) for federal tax purposes, you can continue to use the software to respond to a series of guided questions. Sprintax will then complete and generate the tax forms you need to send to the tax authorities.

However, if Sprintax determines that you are a resident alien for federal tax purposes, you won't be able to continue using the software.

Need Sprintax Help?

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

Refer to their FAQs

 

What is the deadline to file my taxes
The deadline to file your taxes for 2021 is May 17th. 

Do I need to file a state tax return?
If Texas is the only state you worked in 2020, then you do not need to file state tax return as Texas does not have state income tax.

If you worked in another state that does have income tax you are responsible for paying to complete the state tax return. This would apply to students who may have transferred to UHV and worked on another campus outside of Texas on curricular practical training (CPT) or students who worked on their optional practical training (OPT) outside of Texas.

What do I need to have to file Taxes


Mailing the Forms:

If you are filing the 1040NR EZ and 8843 mail the forms to:
Department of Treasury
Internal Revenue Services
Austin, TX 73301-0215

If you are enclosing a payment, please mail 1040NR EZ and 8843 form to:
Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 1303
Charlotte, NC 28201-1303

If you are only mailing the 8843 form, mail to:
Department of Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Center
Austin, TX 7301-0215

 

UHV Tax Sessions
Wednesday, March 24th 4-5pm | Microsoft Teams 
Check your UHV email for the Teams invitation


Resources
We strongly recommend international students to use a tax service that specializes in International Student and Scholar Taxes. Please see the following resources: