In February, the University will hold two tax information sessions at the Storrs campus for international students and scholars.  During these sessions, members from UConn’s Payroll, Tax & Compliance and International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) departments, as well as UConn’s VITA program coordinator, will be in attendance to answer questions and provide an overview of the income tax laws and rules that apply to international students and visitors.

 

The first session will be offered February 1^st, from 10 to 11am and the second session will be held on February 4^th from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Location: School of Business, Room 106. Prior sign up is encouraged but not required. To sign up, please visit icworkshops.uconn.edu > View Available Events > Tax Information Workshop.  

 

The following topics and frequently asked questions will be discussed at the information sessions:

 

·         Nonresident vs. Resident Alien tax status

·         What is considered taxable income?

·         What is an income tax treaty and how can I benefit from it?

·         Who needs to file a 2018 federal and/or state income tax return?

·         What documents do I need to prepare and file my income tax returns?

·         Who needs to file Form 8843?

·         UConn’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (“VITA”) program – free tax return preparation assistance provided to UConn’s international community

 

If you received taxable income (e.g. wages, taxable scholarships or fellowships) in the United States during the 2018 calendar year, you must file a 2018 federal income tax return (and possibly a state income tax return) and pay any unpaid taxes by April 15, 2019. Even if you had no taxable income in 2018, you may need to file Form 8843 with the Internal Revenue Service.  Form 8843 allows you to maintain your Nonresident Alien status while you’re in the U.S. for a certain number of years depending on your visa type. 

 

We understand that income taxes can be very confusing for our international students and visitors.  Therefore, UConn’s VITA program provides free personalized tax counseling and tax return preparation services for our international community at UConn.  Beginning on February 1^st, you will be able to schedule an appointment, using the link below, to receive help with your 2018 tax returns. 

 

https://accounting.business.uconn.edu/undergraduate/vita-program/

 

UConn provides students and scholars who are unable to attend an in-person VITA program session free access to Sprintax tax preparation software, which prepares nonresident alien tax returns and Form 8843. Contact ISSS at [log in to unmask] to request your access code to use Sprintax for free. Sprintax also prepares State Tax returns, for an extra fee.

 

Please note that if you arrived here as a new student or scholar in 2019, you do not need to file a tax return or Form 8843 for the 2018 tax year. 

 

Students and scholars who are unable to attend one of the Tax Information Sessions should consult the following University resources:

ISSS Tax Resources for International Students

UConn VITA Program Registration Information

UConn VITA Program Tax FAQ: Tax Assistance for Foreign Students and Scholars

UConn Tax & Compliance Office Nonresident Tax FAQs

 

 

 

Rae Alexander
Director

International Student and Scholar Services

 

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

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