Tax Filing
All non-immigrant international students and scholars who were present in the U.S. during any part of the previous calendar year are responsible for filing a tax report to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by April 15 of every year.
Filing a tax report is required (usually referred to as filing a ‘tax return’) whether or not you worked in the U.S., gained income in the U.S., or received a scholarship in the current year. The good news is that if you earned income in the U.S., you may be eligible for a tax refund if you overpaid or a complete reimbursement based on tax treaties.
If you never worked in the previous year, you still need to file the Form 8843. The deadline is June 15 every year if you were not employed. The Form has filing instructions. You can fill out the form and send it to the address in the instructions by mail.
If you worked at some point in the previous year, all taxes must be filed by April 15 every year. April 15 is the last day to file taxes if you were employed.
For those who worked in the previous year, you can file through one of the below options.
1. The IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/filing
You can file your taxes here for free and they walk you through every step.
2. Use tax filing websites like TurboTax, Sprintax, etc.
If you use this, there is a fee.
3. All County Public Library offers free tax services by appointment.
4. Some local organizations in Fort Wayne offer free tax services.
What documents are needed for tax filing returns?
1. Mandatory Document (even with no income)
Form 8843 (Statement for Exempt Individuals): All F-1 students file this form whether they worked or not to declare their exempt status.
2. Tax Return Documents (if you had income)
Form 1040-NR (U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return): The main form used to report income and calculate taxes
Form W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement): Provided by your employer if you worked on campus / off campus through CPT or OPT
Form 1042-S (Foreign Person’s U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding): Provided by the university or employer if you received a scholarship, fellowship or grant, or if you claimed a tax treaty
Form 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation): Recevied for other types of income, such as bank interest or independent contract work
3. Personal Documents
Passport
I-20
I-94
Social Security Number or ITIN (Required if filing Form 1040-NR)
Checking account information if you want to direct deposit any refunds
Previous year’s tax return documents if available