Filing Taxes
WHAT DOES "FILING TAXES" MEAN?
If you earn any money from a U.S.-based entity (stipend/wages, loan, scholarship etc.), you must show that you paid enough taxes on your income (most U.S. income is taxed). To show that you paid enough tax, you must file a tax return form to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
If you paid too much tax, the U.S. government will give you money back (known as a "tax refund"). If you did not pay enough tax, you will be asked to pay what you owe.
Any international student/scholar who received any income or scholarship in 2023 is REQUIRED by federal law to file a U.S. income tax return by a specific date in April every year, usually April 15.
All F and J students and their F/J dependents must file the IRS Form 8843 if they are nonresidents for tax purposes, even if they did not earn any income.
You can learn some basics about the U.S. tax system and filing taxes on this Arctic International video: https://s3.amazonaws.com/arcticgtpvideoao/WTUTS17.mp4
WHICH TAX RETURN FORMS SHOULD I COMPLETE?
This depends on how long you have lived in the U.S. Some students who are non-residents for immigration purposes become residents for tax purposes. You should determine your RESIDENCY status for TAX PURPOSES in order to know which tax forms to file.
Students employed by FSU in 2023: If you were employed by FSU in 2023, the Glacier software used by Florida State University makes the resident or non-resident tax determination for you. When Glacier determines that you are a nonresident for tax purposes, you will have access through Glacier to Glacier Tax Preparation software. (You will receive an email when the software is available through Glacier.)
Students not employed by FSU in 2023: If you were not directly employed by FSU in 2023 you need to seek information on your residency for tax purposes. You can attend the Tax Workshop the CGE offers on Friday, February 23, 2024 (Register: istart.fsu.edu) or look at information about the Substantial Presence Test available through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website. Pay attention to the number of years for which F and J students are exempt. If you determine that you are a nonresident for tax purposes and you were employed in 2023 but not by FSU, you can email the CGE front desk (cge@fsu.edu) for the access code to use Glacier Tax Prep software. We have a limited number of licenses and will release the access code as long as licenses are still available.
Sponsored Students: If you are sponsored by IIE, LASPAU, or AMIDEAST, please check with your sponsoring agency regarding tax preparation services that they may require you to use instead of Glacier Tax Prep. Do not complete both GRANTAX and Glacier Tax Prep tax returns.
| Type of Income | Form to Fill Out |
|---|---|
| No income or bank interest only (this should be filed for you AND your dependents) | 8843 |
| Wages and/or scholarship/fellowship | 1040NR and8843 |
HOW DO I COMPLETE THESE FORMS?
The CGE Advisers are NOT tax experts, so we will not assist you in filing your taxes. If you need help completing the forms, feel free to make use of the following resources:
- The annual CGE Tax Workshop will be held on Friday, February 23. To attend one of the workshops below, please register at istart.fsu.edu. Registration is required.
- 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Filing as Non-Resident for tax purposes
- 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.: Filing as a Resident for tax purposes
- GLACIER Tax Prep Software
- IRS website: www.irs.gov
- Hiring a certified Tax Advisor
How do I use Glacier Tax Prep software?
If you received any payment or funds from Florida State University in 2023, you will receive an email from GLACIER about how to access a license for GLACIER Tax Prep, an online tax preparation software which will help you with your tax returns if you are a non-resident for tax purposes.
NOTE: There are a limited number of FREE licenses, available on a first come first served basis. If you did not earn income from FSU during 2023 but you earned income from a non-FSU entity, email the CGE front desk, CGE@fsu.edu. If Glacier Tax Prep licenses are still available, you will be offered one.
Attention U.S. Government scholarship recipients: If you are a U.S. Government scholarship recipient, please DO NOT use GLACIER Tax Prep before checking with your sponsor (IIE, LASPAU, Amideast, VEF, USAID) regarding their procedures for tax filing.
What do I need to file my tax return?
- SSN or ITIN (if you do not have an SSN or ITIN, you will need to file for one)
- For wages earned from work: W-2 (from each employer in 2023 you should receive all W-2 forms by the end of January.)
- For taxable scholarship/assistantship money: 1042-S
- For bank interest: 1099-INT.
How do I file my tax return?
If you are a non-resident for tax purposes, you must print off your forms and MAIL them to the IRS office. The IRS address will be listed on the tax return form or its instruction page.
NOTE: The state of Florida does not have a separate state income tax, but some states do. If you were previously employed in another state with a state income tax, you may be required to file an additional tax form. Check the www.irs.gov website for information on taxation for that state.
