Janice Lozano
International students in Illinois are required to file income tax forms with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) even if they did not receive any taxable income. This can be done using online tax preparation software such as GLACIER Tax Prep or Sprintax. These platforms will help students determine their residency status for tax purposes and fill out the necessary forms, such as Form 8843 and Form 1040NR. It is important to note that international students may be considered nonresidents for tax purposes, even if they are residents for immigration purposes. Additionally, students should be aware of potential scams targeting students and should only seek official sources for tax information.
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What You'll Learn
Required tax forms for international students
International students in Illinois are required to file income tax forms with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) even if they did not receive any taxable income. This includes Form 8843, which must be filed by all students, regardless of whether they had any income. Students with any income will also need to file Form 1040NR, which is the form for nonresident aliens. It's important to note that Form 1040 is not for nonresident aliens.
Additionally, students may need to attach Form 8833 to their return if their country has a tax treaty with the United States that affects their tax obligations. Beyond federal tax requirements, international students in Illinois must also file state income tax forms. This can be done using Sprintax, which provides access codes that can be purchased online with a debit or credit card. The deadline for filing both federal and state tax returns in Illinois is generally April 15th.
To prepare tax returns, international students can use GLACIER Tax Prep, a web-based tax return preparation system designed exclusively for foreign students and scholars. Access to GLACIER Tax Prep is provided by the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) via email in February. It's important to note that once GLACIER Tax Prep is used, a refund cannot be issued. GLACIER Tax Prep will automatically determine the user's residency status for tax purposes.
For additional support, international students can consult with tax professionals experienced in working with international students or utilize resources provided by their university's International Student and Scholar Services. It is essential to be cautious of IRS-impersonation scams that target individuals associated with educational institutions. The IRS will never contact individuals by email, text, or social media, only by mail.
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How to obtain a Sprintax code
As an international student, you can obtain a Sprintax code by following these steps:
Firstly, it is important to note that Sprintax is specifically designed for non-residents for tax purposes in the US. If you are unsure about your residency status, you can create a Sprintax account and the software will guide you through the process of determining your residency status.
Secondly, Sprintax codes are typically provided by your university. For instance, the University of Illinois Chicago provides discounted access to Sprintax for members of its international community. The university will provide you with a unique discount code that you can enter on the 'Review your order' page when creating your Sprintax account. Other universities, such as Cornell, will provide you with an access code after you submit an attestation through their online portals. This code will be sent to you via email and will need to be provided during the payment stage on Sprintax.
Additionally, some universities, like Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, require you to purchase a Sprintax code online using a debit or credit card. The cost is usually around $3 plus a processing fee, and the university will email you the unique code along with instructions on how to file your taxes and use the code.
It is worth noting that Sprintax codes are typically released annually after universities have sent out the last of the tax-related documents to the international community. The codes are usually made available before the tax filing deadline, which is generally April 15th.
Lastly, if you are unable to obtain a Sprintax code through your university, you can contact Sprintax directly via their online chat system, email ([email protected]), or their customer support phone number (1-866-601-5695). They will be able to provide further assistance in obtaining a Sprintax code.
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Determining tax residency status
International students at the University of Illinois are generally considered nonresidents for tax purposes for five calendar years, regardless of their date of entry. This period is shortened to two calendar years for J-1 Research Scholars and Professors. However, your tax status (nonresident or resident) is separate from your immigration status, and you may be considered a resident for tax purposes even if you are a non-resident for immigration purposes.
To determine your tax residency status, you can use the GLACIER Tax Prep© system, which is designed exclusively for foreign students, scholars, and others. Access to GLACIER Tax Prep will be provided via Sunapsis, and instructions will be sent by the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) in February. GLACIER Tax Prep will automatically determine your residency status for tax purposes.
Alternatively, you can use Sprintax Returns or Bloomington-Normal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to prepare your tax returns. You can purchase a Sprintax code online, and instructions will be sent to all international students. After purchasing the code, you will receive an email with your unique code and instructions on how to file your taxes. You can also consult a tax professional experienced in working with international students.
It is important to note that failure to file taxes or filing incorrect forms can result in penalties, interest on unpaid taxes, and potential issues with visa status. Therefore, it is recommended to seek appropriate assistance when determining your tax residency status and filing your tax returns.
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Deadlines for tax filings
International students in Illinois are advised to file their tax returns as early as possible. The Illinois filing period is the same as the federal filing period, which is usually April 15. For the tax year 2024, the deadline to file your income tax return is Tuesday, April 15, 2025. This is the last day to file federal tax returns and state returns for Illinois.
All international students who stayed in the United States in 2024 are required to file income tax forms with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) even if they did not receive any taxable income. Students can use GLACIER Tax Prep, a web-based tax return preparation system designed for foreign students, or Sprintax Returns, a web-based platform that helps international students with their tax filings.
Students should note that the deadline for filing taxes may vary depending on their tax residency status. Generally, international students on F, J, J-1, or F-1 visas are considered non-residents for tax purposes for up to five calendar years. However, their residency status for tax purposes may change if they have been in the US for longer than five years, and they will need to take the Substantial Presence Test to determine their tax residency. Non-resident aliens generally only need to file state taxes if they have income sourced from that state, and the rules vary from state to state.
If you are unable to meet the submission deadline for your tax returns, you may be able to request an extension. For federal tax returns, you can request a six-month extension by completing and mailing IRS Form 4868. For an extension on your State of Illinois Tax Return, use Form IL-505-I, which can be found on the Illinois Department of Revenue website.
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Required documents for tax filings
International students in Illinois are required to file income tax forms with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) even if they did not receive any taxable income. To do so, they will need to gather certain documents.
Firstly, international students will need to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). To apply for an SSN, students must have a job and a Social Security Letter for On-Campus Work, printed on departmental letterhead, as well as a letter from the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) verifying their lawful status. Students should bring the original of these documents, as well as their original passport, visa, I-20/DS-2019, I-94 printout, and birth certificate (if they have it with them in the US) to the Social Security Office.
Secondly, students will need to fill out and file Form 8843, regardless of whether or not they had any income. If students had any income, they will also need to file Form 1040NR. If their country has a tax treaty with the United States that affects their tax obligations, they must also attach Form 8833 to their return.
Students can use GLACIER Tax Prep©, a web-based tax return preparation system designed for foreign students, or Sprintax Returns, to help them fill out their federal tax forms. They will need to purchase a Sprintax code online and register through a link in an email from [email protected]. They will then need to answer Sprintax Calculus questions and upload immigration-related documents. Once they have obtained an SSN, they should update their Sprintax Calculus profile.
Finally, students in Illinois must also file a state income tax form. They can use Sprintax to fill out the state tax form, or they can purchase this service.
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Frequently asked questions
The deadline for international students in Illinois to file their tax forms is April 15.
All international students in Illinois need to fill out and file Form 8843, regardless of whether or not they had any income. Students with any income will also need to file Form 1040NR.
Yes, students in Illinois must also file a state income tax form.
Sprintax is a service that can be used to fill out state tax forms. Sprintax codes cost $3 plus a processing fee.
GLACIER Tax Prep© is a web-based tax return preparation system designed exclusively for foreign students, scholars, and others. Access to GLACIER Tax Prep will expire in June.
