Taxes, Immigration Documents & Work Authorization

International students and scholars in the U.S. have important responsibilities when it comes to taxes and maintaining their immigration status. This page provides essential information about U.S. and international tax filing requirements, including how to use Sprintax, what documents you’ll need, and key deadlines. You’ll also find resources for managing your immigration documents and making status changes. Staying informed and organized will help you remain in compliance with federal regulations throughout your time at SIU.

International Taxes

U.S. Taxes

Important note: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will never contact you by email, text or social media. If the IRS needs information, they will contact you by mail. Avoid scammers pretending to be the IRS by following these steps.

Who must file tax forms?

Even if you did not earn any income, if you were physically in the US on F or J status anytime between January 1 – December 31, you're obligated to file a Form 8843 with the IRS (the Internal Revenue Service, or ‘IRS’, are the US tax authorities).

Meanwhile, if you earned more than $0 of taxable US source income, you may need to file a federal tax return with the IRS. Depending on your individual circumstances, you may also need to file a state tax return(s).

Tax Filing Deadline

File your tax return as early as possible. View the last day to file your federal tax return on the IRS website. The Illinois filing period is the same as the federal filing period.
Generally, April 15th is the last day for residents and nonresidents who earned US income to file Federal tax returns for each tax cycle.

Who is considered Resident or Nonresident for Federal Tax Purposes

Generally, most international students & scholars who are on F, J visas are considered nonresidents for tax purposes. International undergraduate students on J-1 & F-1 visas are automatically considered nonresident for their first five calendar years in the US, whilst Scholars/Researchers on J visas are automatically considered nonresidents for two out of the last six calendar years in the US. If you’ve been in the US for longer than the five or two year periods, the Substantial Presence Test will determine your tax residency.

How to File

SIU has teamed up with Sprintax to provide you with an easy-to-use tax preparation software designed for nonresident students and scholars in the US. We (and all other university staff) are not qualified or allowed to provide individual tax advice.

After you login to Sprintax, you will be asked a series of questions about the time you have spent in the US over recent years. Sprintax will then determine your tax status. If it determines that you are a "nonresident alien" (NRA) for federal tax purposes, you can continue to use the software to respond to a series of guided questions. Sprintax will then complete and generate the tax forms you need to send to the tax authorities.

However, if Sprintax determines that you are a resident alien for federal tax purposes, you won't be able to continue using the software.

Please contact the International Tax office (intltax@siu.edu), Human Resources for a unique discount code that will assist in covering the cost to use Sprintax for filing federal tax returns and the required 8843.

Documents Needed to File:

Passport
Visa/Immigration information, including form I-20 (F status) or form DS-2019 (J status)
Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (if you have one)
- This is not needed if you had no income and the 8843 is the only form you have to file.
W-2*
- This form reports your wage earnings if you worked. If you had more than one employer you should get a W-2 from each employer. It is issued by the end of January for the previous year. Make sure all employers from last year have an up-to-date address for you.
1042-S*
- This form is used to report:
  1. stipend, scholarship, fellowship income and travel grants (not tuition reduction or exemption)
  2. income covered by a tax treaty
  3. payment for other types of services (eg by the semester as a note-taker)
  If you received this type of income, the 1042-S will be mailed to you by March 15 by the payer.
  Note: Only Nonresident Aliens receive this form. If your tax status changes to a Resident Alien you will not get a 1042-S. Login to Sprintax to check your tax status if you're not sure.
US entry and exit dates for current and past visits to the US
- In addition to passport stamps, you can review or print your US travel history here.
1099*
- This form reports miscellaneous income. Can be interest on bank accounts, stocks, bonds, dividends, earning through freelance employment.

*These items are ones that you may not receive, but if you do receive them, they will be used when filing your taxes.

Sprintax Information

Step 1: Gather the documents needed (See 'Documents Needed To File' section above)

Step 2: Create a Sprintax Account

Head to Sprintax to set up your. Open your new Sprintax account by creating a UserID and password or if you have an existing account on Sprintax you can login using your existing credentials.

Step 3: Follow the Sprintax instructions

If you did not earn any US Income: Sprintax will generate a completed Form 8843 for you and each of your dependents (if you have any).

If you did earn US Income: Sprintax will generate your "tax return documents", including either a 1040NR-EZ or a longer form 1040NR, depending on your circumstances.

Step 4: (With U.S. income only) If required, complete your state tax return

After you finish your federal return, Sprintax will inform you if you need to complete a state tax return. If so, you will have the option to use Sprintax for an additional fee. However, it is your choice to use them or to do the state tax return on your own.

Step 5: Read the instructions for filing/mailing your returns

Remember to read the instructions that Sprintax provides.

You will be required to download, print and sign your federal tax return and mail it to the IRS. If you have a state filing requirement, you must also mail this to the tax authorities.

Finally, if you only need to file Form 8843, this will also need to be mailed to the IRS.

Need Sprintax Support?

If you need help while using Sprintax, you can contact their support team using the options below

Email - hello@sprintax.com

24/7 Live Chat Help

Refer to their FAQs

Changing Your Status

Your Immigration Documents

Working in the U.S. Forms

F-1 & J-1 On-Campus Employment (Link)
- F-1 students may engage in on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. F-1 status permits students with Designated School Official (DSO) approval to work at an on-campus job for up to 20 hours per week when school is in session. During vacation periods, students may work on-campus full-time. (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) (PDF)

F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) (PDF)

F-1 STEM OPT

J-1 Academic Training (AT) (PDF)

J-2 Work Authorization

Externship Program Policy