Lana Oconnell
International students in the US are required to file a tax return each year, and may need to file a state tax return, depending on the state. They will need to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number (SSN), and will need to fill in a W-4 tax form with their employer. They will receive a W-2 form from their employer, which outlines wage and salary information, and must be provided by 31 January after the end of the tax year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who gets it? | Nonresident and international students who have earned an income in the US |
| What is it used for? | Wage and salary information, including taxes withheld |
| What else does it include? | Name, address, SSN, and other general personal information |
| When do you receive it? | By 31 January after the end of the tax year |
| Who sends it? | Your employer |
| What if you don't receive it? | Contact your employer, the IRS, or use Sprintax offline services |
| What if you earned income in the US other than employee salary? | You will likely receive a Form 1099 |
| Do international students have to file taxes? | Yes, if they were in the US during the previous calendar year and earned income |
| How to file taxes? | Through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) |
| Where to send the forms? | Internal Revenue Service Center, Austin, TX 73301-0215, USA |
| Any online submission? | No, the IRS does not allow electronic filing for nonresident aliens |
| Any deadlines? | Federal forms must be postmarked by April 18th; state tax returns and Form 8843 have different deadlines |
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W2 form contents
A W-2 form is a tax form used by employers to report an employee's wages, withheld taxes, and other information to employees, the IRS, and the Social Security Administration each year. Employers must provide copies of each worker's W-2 form to the employee, who then uses the form to file their federal and state income tax returns.
The W-2 form, officially known as a "Wage and Tax Statement", is used to report wage and salary information along with other taxes withheld from an employee's pay cheque. The form also includes information about certain employer-provided benefits, such as health insurance, adoption and dependent care assistance, health savings account contributions, and more.
The main purpose of the W-2 form is to help employees file their taxes accurately. The information provided about an employee's earnings from employment and the taxes withheld from their paycheque is needed for calculating their tax liability and determining whether they owe taxes or are entitled to a refund.
W-2 forms are also useful for employment and income verification. They provide a record of employment and wages, which can be helpful for non-tax reasons like applying for a loan or credit card.
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Who needs to file a W2
A W-2 form is a tax form used by employers to report an employee's wages, withheld taxes, and other information to employees, the IRS, and the Social Security Administration each year. Employers must also provide copies of each worker's W-2 form to the employee, who then uses the form to file their federal and state income tax returns.
If you work and want to file a tax return, you need Form W-2 or Form 1099, provided by your employer. If you are an employer, you also have to file W-2 forms with the SSA by January 31. However, you can request a 30-day extension by submitting Form 8809, Application for Extension of Time to File Information Returns. Even if you request and receive an extension to file W-2s with the SSA, you still have to provide your employees copies of their W-2s by January 31, unless you’re granted an extension to provide W-2s to your employees after the due date.
Employees must file a W-2 form if they have had income, social security, or Medicare tax withheld. Income tax would have been withheld if the employee had claimed no more than one withholding allowance or had not claimed exemption from withholding on Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate. Individuals commonly receive a W-2 from an employer if they earn at least $600 annually. If you receive multiple W-2 forms, you must include the winnings from all of them when preparing your tax return.
If you don't receive your W-2 by early February, contact your employer. They might be able to provide you with an electronic version for use until you receive the paper version in the mail. If you don't have a W-2 form by the end of February, you can call the IRS at 800-829-1040 and ask them to contact your employer. If you don't receive your W-2 in time to file your income tax return, you can use Form 4852 as a substitute to file with your return. You also might be able to use online tax software like TurboTax to import your W-2 even if you didn't receive it in the mail.
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Deadlines
Form 8843:
International students in the US, regardless of whether they earned an income or not, are required to file Form 8843 with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This form is a statement required by the US government for certain nonresident aliens who are in the US on specific visa types, such as F-1, J-1, F-2, or J-2 visas. The deadline for filing Form 8843 is usually in April or June. For example, in 2025, the deadline is April 15 for those who had US income and June 15 for those without any US income.
Federal Tax Returns:
International students must file their federal tax returns annually by the IRS deadline, which is typically in mid-April. For instance, in 2023, the federal deadline was April 18. This deadline applies to all international students and their dependents, even if they had no income during their time in the US. It is important to note that the deadline for federal tax returns may vary slightly from year to year.
State Tax Returns:
In addition to federal tax returns, international students may also need to file state tax returns, depending on the state they reside in. Not all US states require state tax filings, but many do. It is important to check the specific state's website for its deadline, as these deadlines can differ from the federal deadline and from other states.
Form W-2:
Form W-2, also known as the "Wage and Tax Statement," is typically provided by the employer at the end of January each year. This form outlines wage and salary information for the previous year. While there is no specific deadline mentioned for Form W-2, it is important to have this form to file your tax returns accurately.
Form 1099:
Form 1099 is related to various types of income, such as self-employed income, rental income, interest on bank accounts, and more. While there is no explicit deadline mentioned for Form 1099, it is typically received if certain income thresholds are met during the year. For example, a 1099-NEC form is issued if a client has paid at least $600 in a year.
It is important to stay informed about these deadlines and requirements, as they may vary slightly from year to year. Additionally, tax filings can be complex, and it is recommended to seek guidance from official sources, such as the IRS or tax professionals, to ensure compliance and avoid any negative consequences for future visa applications.
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How to file
International students in the US who have earned an income will receive a W-2 form from their employer. This will outline wage and salary information, including the amount of federal tax withheld. It will also include your name, address, and SSN.
To file your tax return, you will need to create an account with a tax service, such as Sprintax Returns, which is tailored to international students and non-residents. You will need your W-2 form, officially known as a "Wage and Tax Statement", to file your tax return. This will be provided by your employer by the end of January after the tax year-end.
If you have not received your W-2 form by the deadline, you should contact your employer to confirm that it was sent to the correct address. Your employer may also provide your copy via a secure online link. Alternatively, you can contact the IRS or use offline tax services.
You may also need to file a state tax return, depending on the state. Nine US states do not have any tax-filing requirements. If you received US-sourced income during the calendar year, you will need to file Form 8843 and most likely Form 1040NR to complete your tax return. You will be required to enter your name, current address, and social security number (SSN) or IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), as well as other general personal information.
International students on an F-1 visa are considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes and must pay tax on US-source income. There is no specific international student tax, so the amount you pay will depend on your personal circumstances.
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Additional forms
International students in the US who have earned an income will receive a W-2 form from their employer, which outlines wage and salary information. This is used to report wages paid to employees and the taxes withheld. In addition to this, there are several other forms that international students may need to complete, depending on their individual circumstances.
One such form is the 1042-S, which is received from the student's school or institution if they have received a taxable scholarship, such as a stipend or housing allowance. This form reports income received directly by the student that was not applied directly to tuition and fees. It also includes any independent personal services performed in the US and royalty payments issued to individuals or entities.
Another form that may be relevant to international students is the 1099, which details different types of income received during the year, such as self-employed income, interest on bank accounts, stocks, bonds, or dividends. It is also important to note that international students may need to file a state tax return and pay state income tax, even when no federal return is due. This is because tax rates and deductions differ across states in the US.
Additionally, international students on F-1 visas are required to complete Form 8843, which is a statement for certain nonresident aliens. This form is used for the substantial presence test and must be filed by the tax document deadline, which is usually in April. Students should also be aware of the Form W-4, which is used to report local address and Social Security Number information. All student employees must have a US Social Security Number, and nonresident aliens must check the "Single" marital box on this form.
In some cases, international students may also need to complete Form 8233, Exemption from Withholding on Compensation for Independent Personal Services of a Nonresident Alien Individual, if they wish to be considered for a tax withholding exception under a treaty provision. This form must be submitted to the IRS for review and approval, along with a country-specific statement detailing the terms of the treaty. These forms are typically completed at the time of hire to avoid the withholding of tax or the delay of paychecks.
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Frequently asked questions
A W-2 form, also known as a Wage and Tax Statement, is a document that outlines an individual's wage and salary information, including federal tax withheld and wages subject to social security.
International students who earned an income in the US will receive a W-2 form from their employer.
Your employer must provide you with your W-2 form by January 31 after the end of the tax year. For example, you should receive your W-2 form by January 31, 2025, for the year ending on December 31, 2024.
If you have not received your W-2 form by the deadline, you should contact your employer to confirm that it was sent to the correct address. Alternatively, you can contact the IRS or use offline services provided by tax professionals.
