International student, scholar, researcher or faculty: the deadline to file taxes has been extended
Tax reports required for 2019/ International student, scholar, researcher, or faculty
Attention:
The US Federal tax filing has been extended from 15 April to 15 July.
For Virginia State tax filing deadline, please visit:
https://www.tax.virginia.gov/news/coronavirus-u
As an international student, scholar, researcher, or faculty, it is important that you understand the tax requirements of your visa. You must file a federal tax return if any of the following apply:
- You worked in the United States in 2019
- You received a taxable stipend, grant, scholarship, or allowance in 2019
- You had no earnings – even if you didn’t work or receive income in the U.S., you are still legally obligated to file a tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to declare no income.
Visa & Immigration Service Advising (VISA) staff are not tax professionals and cannot assist you with tax advising or tax preparation. We have arranged free access to Sprintax Tax Program for tax Non-Resident Aliens filing of federal tax forms ONLY.
If you are a TAX NON-RESIDENT; are unsure if you are a TAX NON-RESIDENT; know your tax residency status but are unsure of your next steps.
Please request a password by completing the form on our website:
PASSCODE REQUEST
Federal Tax forms
If you meet either of the first two criteria listed in paragraph 1 above, you must file a federal tax return AND the Form 8843 by April 15, 2020. Federal forms are prepared on-line but are not filed electronically. You are required to print, sign, and mail them to the address provided in the instructions.
State Income Tax
If you had earned income in 2019 from a U.S. employer located in the Commonwealth of Virginia and they withheld state taxes, you are required to file a state tax return by May 1, 2020. The Sprintax code provided will only cover fees for federal filing. You may choose to use Sprintax to prepare your state forms and pay the fee, or you may use an alternate program. The Virginia Department of Taxation offers a variety of free and paid tax prep programs that allow you to quickly and easily file your state tax return. If you received income in another state in 2019, please consult that state’s website for information on filing your tax return.
No income during 2019
If you did not work at all or receive any taxable income in 2019 but were present in the US, you will need to file the form 8843 Statement for Exempt Individuals. This form is used for individuals (Exempt individuals) that did not receive income in tax year 2019.
A sample 8843 is attached. Please ensure all fields are complete.
Access IRS 8843 form and instructions here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8843.pdf
Tax scams
As you are aware, there are many scams in today’s world. Following are links which describe possible scams.
- https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/abusive-tax-schemes-and-abusive-tax-return-preparers-irs-lead-development-center
- https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts
- https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayer-guide-to-identity-theft
- https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/tax-scams-how-to-report-them
Forms used when filing taxes:
- Form 1040: Federal tax form used by tax resident when you worked in the U.S. in 2019. FORM 1040 RESIDENT ALIEN
- Form 1040NR-EZ: Federal tax form used by tax nonresident when you worked in the U.S. in 2019. FORM 1040NR EZ NON RESIDENT ALIEN
- Form 8843 – Federal tax form used by students and scholars on non-immigrant visas who were physically present in the U.S. when there were no earnings in 2019. FORM 8843 FOR EXEMPT INDIVIDUALS
- Form VA 760 – Virginia state tax form used when you worked in the U.S. or received a stipend, grant, scholarship, or allowance in 2019 while a resident of the state of Virginia. FORM VA 760
Forms you may receive related to filing taxes (keep all forms received):
- Form W2 – Form received from employer(s) from whom you have earnings from salary or stipends during 2019
- Form 1042S – Form received if you are a taxable scholarship recipient (from U.S. sources) with living expenses. **Note: Failure to include your 1042S information when filing your tax return will require that you file an amended tax return. 1042S forms will be issued by ODU by 03/15/2020.
For information about additional forms please visit: https://www.odu.edu/finance/international#tab140=4
REMEMBER: Always keep a copy of any document you submit for your records.
Tax questions
Please visit:
2019 Form 8843.pdf (72.1 KB)
Posted By: Maria Watkins
Date: Tue Apr 07 09:08:54 EDT 2020