Dear Students and Scholars,

Many of you have started to receive forms related to income tax filing in the U.S.  Keep all the tax forms you receive!  Each year from February 1 to April 15 international students and U.S. citizens need to file tax paperwork with the IRS and these forms will help you.

STUDENTS/SCHOLARS WITH NO INCOME

Students and scholars with no income will still need to file the tax form 8843 to report on days of presence in F-1/J-1 status in prior calendar year.  You can download the 8843 online here and should submit this by mail to the IRS.

STUDENTS/SCHOLARS WITH INCOME

Students and scholars with income may receive forms for employment income, taxable scholarship income, or miscellaneous income.  These may be forms W-2, 1042-S or 1099 and you will need these forms when filing your taxes.  There are two options for assistance in filing your income taxes.

Option One:  Attend a UConn VITA Tax Assistance Workshop!  See below for more information.  These workshops are free, but ONLY available to current UConn students and you must sign up online.  International alumni and students on post-completion OPT may not attend.

Option Two:  If you cannot attend UConn VITA Tax Assistance workshop or if you are not eligible (alumni and post-completion OPT students) there are only a limited number of companies that can process nonresident alien tax paperwork for you to mail to the IRS.  Please visit: http://isss.uconn.edu/tax-preparation-resources/ for more information on nonresident alien tax preparation software. 

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VITA Tax Workshops

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) program at the University of Connecticut provides free personalized nonresident tax counseling and preparation for F-1 and J-1 visa holders.

Our volunteers are certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The volunteers are trained to provide the highest quality service and to be sensitive to the needs of our international students and scholars.

The student volunteers are trained to prepare simple Federal and Connecticut state income tax returns. Tax returns will be prepared only if you have gross income.

Do not register for this tax assistance session if: 

• You only need to file form 8843
• You only have tax questions
• You prepared your own return or someone else prepared your return and you are seeking to have it reviewed.

No forms containing business income, securities transactions or IRAs qualify for the service.   The volunteers can only help with Connecticut and federal tax forms. No other state returns will be prepared. 

International Student & Scholar Services, Payroll, Accounts Payable, and the School of Business - Accounting Department are the sponsors of this event. These four departments work closely together to ensure that the best possible advice and preparation are given to international students and scholars.

Register for a VITA Tax Session:

To register for your tax preparation appointment go to www.icworkshops.uconn.edu > View Available Events > and then click on the appropriate “Tax Session” event.   Once your booking is complete, you will receive an automatic confirmation to your UConn email address. You must book your appointment at least one week in advance.

Due to the high demand for these tax preparation sessions, please make every effort to attend your scheduled appointment. Failure to appear at the designated time will result in a cancelation of your appointment. If you fail to attend, we may not be able to reschedule. All appointments must be booked at least one week in advance.

To receive confidential assistance from a VITA volunteer, you must bring all of the following that apply to you:

Income Information:

1. W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) and/or
2. 1042- S (Foreign Persons U.S.  Source Income Subject to Withholding) and/or
3. 1098T (Tuition Statement) Print copy at:   http://bursar.uconn.edu/1098-t/

(NOTE: Many GAs, fellows and scholarship recipients will not receive Form 1098-T for the 2014 tax year.  Please see more information at: http://bursar.uconn.edu/1098-t/important-information-regarding-2014-tax-forms/)

Other Information:  

1. Non-Resident Alien Intake form-Print and complete: http://isss.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2015/02/Nonresident-Alien-Intake-and-Interview-Sheet-2.pdf (Failure to bring and complete this form prior to your session will result in a cancelation of your appointment.)

2. Original Social Security Card or ITIN document

3. Original Passport

4. I-94-print out or (or white I-94 card in passport visit: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html to print your I-94.

5. Receipt for property tax paid on vehicle

6. Copies of your 2014 Student Fee Bills (Spring, Summer, and Fall Semesters, as appropriate)

Please note: All tax sessions will be canceled if classes are canceled due to inclement weather.                                                

If you have any questions about this program, please contact Paul Costa: [log in to unmask]

International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
University of Connecticut
2011 Hillside Rd. U-1083 (McMahon Hall Main Floor)
Storrs, CT 06269
phone-(860)486-3855 email-[log in to unmask]
web- www.isss.uconn.edu