The International Office has purchased a tax software called GLACIER Tax Prep (GTP) to assist students in filing their taxes. International students, scholars, and their dependents are eligible to use GTP for tax preparation assistance.
Who Has to File Taxes?
Any nonresident alien for tax purposes who had U.S.-sourced income, which includes wages, scholarships, fellowships, treaty benefits, or capital gains on the sale of stock, etc., must file taxes. Even if you did not have any income, all nonresident aliens for tax purposes (including spouses and dependents) are required to file Form 8843. GLACIER Tax Prep will help you file all required tax documents, including the Form 8843.
Who is a Nonresident Alien for Tax Purposes?
Generally, students who have been in the U.S. for five years or less as of 2014 and scholars who have been in the U.S. for two years or less as of 2014 are nonresident aliens for tax purposes. If you are uncertain of your residency status for tax purposes, you can use GLACIER Tax Prep to help determine your status. Please note that only nonresident aliens for tax purposes are eligible to utilize GLACIER Tax Prep. Additionally, the nonresident alien for tax purposes designation is separate from your immigration status.
What Services are Available through ISSS?
ISSS has purchased GLACIER Tax Prep to help students and scholars file taxes. We also offer VITA volunteer tax advising on Wednesday and Thursday evenings for nonresident aliens who have additional questions after filing their taxes using GTP.
Want More Information About Taxes?
ISSS has more information for resident and nonresident aliens regarding taxes on the ISSS website. You can also find answers to many frequently asked tax questions in the AskUs database.
The deadline to file taxes is April 15, 2015, so be sure to get them done early!
