Since all nonresident international students and scholars (and their dependents) who were physically within the United States must file tax paperwork, this website was developed to offer you some resources to help you file your tax returns or answer tax related questions.
These resources are not affiliated with the University of Minnesota or International Student and Scholar Services and have not been vetted. Notification of a resource should not be construed as an endorsement by the University of Minnesota. We are aware of these resources, but it is fully any student's responsibility to investigate and choose whether or not to utilize its services.
Some of the resources listed below charge for their services. We recommend that you compare costs prior to making a decision.
ISSS will not be offering a tax orientation or contracting with a specific tax vendor to provide tax codes for international students to use this year. We regret the inconvenience this might cause, but this decision was necessary due to circumstances beyond our control.
Students can receive free support for preparing taxes through the Non-resident Tax Clinics described below. These clinics often fill up and reservations are required, so sign up early. We will announce in the ISSS Weekly Update when the Tax Clinics begin taking appointments.
ISSS advisors and staff cannot give tax advice or assistance.
A student or scholar’s tax status may be different from your immigration status. Depending on your tax residency, you may have different tax requirements, exemptions, and forms to complete. For more information on how to determine your tax residency, visit the IRS website, Introduction to Residency Under US Tax Law. The IRS also has a Tax Guide nonresident tax filers.
In general, students in F or J status are considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes for the first five calendar years of their stay in the US. Scholars in J status are considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes for the first two calendar years of their stay. For help with determining your tax status, you can use the NRVTAP's Residency Tool or a Tax Software (for example, Glacier or Sprintax).
If you are not sure if you are a resident for tax purposes or a “dual status alien” for tax purposes, according to the IRS Taxation of Dual-Status Aliens webpage: "You are a dual-status alien when you have been both a U.S. resident alien and a nonresident alien in the same tax year."
For students who work at the university or receive a scholarship or fellowship may find these resources helpful.
Did you receive a stipend, scholarship, fellowship income, and/or travel grant from UMN during 2020? If so, you will need to have a 1042-S form when preparing your income tax returns.
Please be aware that the UMN will not send these forms until mid-March. If you want to know if you will receive 1042-S, please email ohr@umn.edu to ask. This requirement does not apply to individuals who only received tuition reductions or exemptions.
You may have received a 1098-T Tuition Form from the Office of Student Finance. This form does not generally apply to international students and scholars, however, as non-residents are not eligible to claim education expense tax credits.
If you rent, you may have received a form regarding the MN Property Tax Refund. Review the information we have compiled from the MN Department of Revenue.
Nonresident Volunteer Tax Assistance Program (NRVTAP) - The Nonresident Volunteer Tax Assistance Program (NRVTAP) provides free tax services to qualifying international students and scholars at the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities, Duluth, Crookston, and Rochester campuses. Appointments are given on a first come, first serve basis, and more information about NRVTAP's services can be found at www.nrvtap.com. Video tutorials are also available on the NRVTAP website as a list of office hours.
PLEASE NOTE: If you will receive a 1042-S form, you should schedule an appointment after mid-March (although you can make a reservation now). You will need this form to prepare your taxes, and the University of Minnesota will not be sending 1042-S forms until then.
Most tax softwares can help you determine your tax status, prepare nonresident tax forms for individuals who have not earned income or filing Federal income tax returns. Some tax softwares prepare state returns depending on the company.
You can also access Sprintax’s resources such as the Sprintax Blog and YouTube Videos that all open for any international student to access covering important topics related to nonresident tax. Sprintax will also offer the following informational webinars that will cover an overview of nonresident tax for international students and scholars to learn more about their filing obligations:
Volunteer Tax Assistance Program (VTAP) - These clinics should only be used by individuals preparing resident tax returns.
If you are filing as only a resident for tax purposes (not dual status), you should be able to use the tax preparers and vendors that are available to other residents. You could try this IRS tool to see if it is helpful in finding assistance: IRS: Tools for Individual Taxpayers.
GW Carter, Ltd Certified Public Accountants - Dual year returns and complicated tax situations for resident and nonresident tax preparers.
If you have determined that you are a dual status alien for tax purposes, here are resources.
If you are not sure if you are a resident for tax purposes or a “dual status alien” for tax purposes, according to the IRS Taxation of Dual-Status Aliens webpage: “You are a dual-status alien when you have been both a U.S. resident alien and a nonresident alien in the same tax year.” You could also try NRVTAP’s residency tool.
