International Student Taxes

Yes, if you were in the USA even 1 day during the last calendar year (January 1st - December 31st).

If you fail to file tax forms and apply for a visa again in the future for any reason, this will be a problem. You could be asked for all your past tax forms for every year you were present in the U.S., even for a tourist visa. 

No, if you entered the USA for the 1st time in the current year.

Yes, if you were in the USA during the last calendar year (January 1st - December 31st). The only way to get a tax refund, if owed money, is to file a tax return.  For students who already departed the U.S. but need to file a tax return, Sprintax recommends:

• File ASAP (As Soon As Possible)
• Use a registered delivery service such as Fedex or UPS to ensure proper delivery and security.
• Keep your U.S. bank account open so you can receive automatic deposit of your refund. Then, close your account if you won't need it again. 
• If you are expecting a refund but have no U.S. bank account, coordinate with trusted friends to receive you U.S. check in the U.S. and send the money to you in a different form. 

Sprintax will calculate this for you.

The Substantial Presence Test is a calculation that determines if you are a Resident or Non Resident for Tax Purposes, based on your days of presence in the United States. F1, J1 students are considered Non Residents for tax purposes up to 5 years. After 5 years, you may be considered a Resident for tax purposes. 

No, if you have been in the US less than 5 years. 

Tax forms for residents and non-residents are different. Don't file the wrong forms.

• Wages (money for employment)
• Scholarships for room and board (but not scholarships for tuition)
• Investment earnings

1. You won't get a refund if the IRS owes you money.
2. You won't get a state tax refund if Georgia owes you money. 
3. If you owe money and don't pay your tax bill, you will be charged fees and penalties, which could block future visa applications. 
4. If you apply for a visa of any kind, or permanent residency (a green card) and don't have copies of tax forms for every year you were present in the U.S. this could be a basis for denial, or at least a huge delay while you try to obtain historic tax forms. 

• If your country has a tax treaty with the U.S. you may be able to pay a lower tax rate. Each treaty is different. Sprintax will automatically factor in tax treaty benefits.  However, if you don't file, the tax treaty benefit is useless. 
• Does my country have a tax treaty with the U.S.? Look it up here. If it is not on this list, there is no reduced tax.  
  • My country is on the list, what do I do?
    • You need to fill out the Form 8233 (For Non-Resident Aliens Requesting Tax Treaty Exemption)
    • Here is a helpful link on how to fill out the form 8233: Completing IRS Form 8233 for Nonresident Aliens Requesting Tax Treaty Exemption

The Sprintax code is emailed out to UWG students through their student email accounts.

Please note that this code is intended only for use by UWG students and use by anyone else is unlawful. We can only email out the codes to UWG email addresses and will not forward or share this information outside of the UWG email. 

Non-residents are not able to file joint tax returns. 

If both you and your spouse are considered residents for tax purposes, then yes you can file jointly. 

Yes, everyone who does not pass the substantial presence test and is not a U.S. citizen should file the 8843.

A quick reminder: Form 1098-T does not apply to nonresidents and therefore cannot be used on a nonresident tax return.

Form 1098-T provides an education tax credit to U.S. residents only. You may be interested to see if you can claim it on your own nonresident tax return. Unfortunately, no. However the form may be useful to keep with your records in case your home country's tax system needs you to document your foreign tuition expenses.

Sprintax has a useful blob about this topic and other such investment schemes. Be aware. As you go through your filing process in Sprintax, it will take care of these calculations for you if needed.

You must email the Office of Student Accounts and Billing Services at studentaccounts@westga.edu