If you are in the U.S. in F, J, M, or Q nonimmigrant status, you are required by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to file certain U.S. tax forms each year, even if you did not earn any money in the U.S.
To help you understand your U.S. tax filing requirements for 2012, as well as to provide you with information and instructions about:
- on-campus employment
- taxable scholarships
- U.S. tax treaties
- Social Security Number (SSN) and Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) application procedures
The ISSS office is pleased to offer two Spring Tax Workshops in the spring semester. Click here for workshop dates and to register.
It is important to note that ISSS staff are not certified tax consultants and cannot help you file your taxes. This website is designed as an online resource to guide you through a proper tax filing.
General information * about U.S. tax filing requirements for international students and scholars.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) * about U.S. taxes.
NOTE: Be sure to check back throughout the year for updates about the 2013 tax filing season (January - April 2013) and the availability of GLACIER licenses.
GLACIER is a user-friendly, web-based tax return preparation system designed exclusively for international students, scholars, teachers, researchers, trainees and their dependents that had non-resident status in the U.S. A few notes about GLACIER:
- GLACIER prepares only the federal (national) tax forms---it does not prepare the tax forms for the State of California (or any other U.S. state). Information about California state tax filing requirements can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) .
- F-2 and J-2 dependents who need to file a U.S. nonresident federal tax form cannot access GLACIER via USFConnect. Instructions to obtain an individual Access Code for F-2 and J-2 dependents will be available in January 2013.
- Though GLACIER is provided as a free service option, students, scholars and alumni are not required to use GLACIER to prepare their U.S. federal tax forms.
The GLACIER program:
• helps you finish your tax return in about 20 minutes
• guides you step-by-step in completing your tax return
• determines the correct tax forms you need to fill out
• allows you to complete your tax return from abroad if necessary
• addresses fellowships and tax treaties
• instructs you in printing and mailing tax forms to the IRS
• offers toll-free technical support
• helps you apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if necessary
U.S. Tax Treaties
Some countries have tax treaties, or agreements, with the U.S. government that allow nationals of that country to claim certain U.S. tax benefits. For a list of tax treaty countries, click here.
