Taxes for International Students

Click here for an overview of the US tax system and relevant tax information for international students and scholars.

What you Need to Know Filing your 2023 Federal Tax Return

The deadline to file your 2023 is April 15, 2024.   We recommend you file as early as possible, once you have all the required documents, see below.

If you were present in the U.S in 2023, you are legally obligated to complete tax forms by April 15, 2024.  Yes, you have to do this, even if you did not earn income in the US.

If you first arrived in the U.S. in 2024, you do not need to file a tax return this year.

OIP offers access to a software called Sprintax to help you prepare your tax documents. There are some fees for using this software but due to the complexity of filing tax forms we highly recommend using Sprintax.

Using Sprintax to File your Tax Forms:

All non-resident aliens should use Sprintax to prepare their Federal tax form.  Using Sprintax for your State tax form (if applicable) is optional but we highly recommend it.  Sprintax will help you determine if you are a resident or non-resident alien for tax purposes after you create your account and provide some initial information.  Creating an account is free so you will not be charged if you cannot use it because you are a resident for tax purposes.

Documents you will need to file your tax form:

  1. W-2 forms from ALL places of US employment.  You can download your UMaine W-2 under “employee self-service” in MaineStreet.
  2. 1042-S-  ONLY IF YOU HAD A TAXABLE SCHOLARSHIP, INSURANCE CREDIT OR TAX TREATY.  OIP emailed all recipients to claim their 1042-S.
  3. YOU DO NOT NEED 1098-T and/or 1095-C, you can ignore those forms as they don’t apply to non-residents aliens.
  4. During preparation of your tax forms you may be advised to apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).  DO NOT use Sprintax for this.  Seek help from OIP.  Do not apply for the ITIN on your own.

Getting Started:

  1. Go to Sprintax.com and “Log in” if you have used Sprintax before, or “Register” if you are a new user.
  2. Enter all your personal information:
    • Name
    • Address: we recommend you use our office address as your US address: 300 Stodder Hall, Orono, ME 04469
    • Passport number
    • Dates of entry and departure (access these online at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov ).  It is extremely important to enter each entry and departure since your very first visit to the US.
  1. Determine your tax residency- Sprintax will determine whether you are a resident or non-resident alien for tax purposes.
  2. Answer the questions and upload the requested documents.  Make sure all fields transfer from your PDF W-2/1042-S to Sprintax.  Manually enter any missing information.
    W-2 box c: Enter ME, not Maine
    W-2 box d:  if this field is empty, call the payroll office at 207-581-9104 to obtain your control number.
    1042-s box 12: remove US in front of zip code, and enter ME instead of Maine.
  3. Review the Sprintax summary for accuracy.
  4. Purchase the tax code for your FEDERAL tax form from the OIP website.  Enter the code to remove the charge for the FEDERAL form.  Enter credit card information for STATE tax form or click “remove” if you plan to prepare your own State tax form on your own.
  5. Sprintax  will prepare your Federal and State (if you elect) tax forms.  REVIEW THE FORMS AND CHECK YOUR DATA FOR ACCURACY.
  6. Sprintax will provide very detailed instructions on how to submit your forms.  Make sure you follow instructions carefully and include all required documentation and sign in blue ink where required before mailing the forms.  If you have the option to eFile your federal return, we recommend doing that.

Sprintax Resources:

Sprintax has many resources to help you use their program and correctly file your tax return, including a 24/7 chat function and phone line.  We encourage you to use the Sprintax resources.

Helpful Sprintax Videos

Sprintax Live Webinar Sessions

          Wednesday, February 28 @ 12pm EST – Register here

·         Monday, March 11 @ 4pm EST – Register here

·         Thursday, March 28 @ 3pm EST – Register here

·         Wednesday, April 3 @ 2pm EST – Register here

·         Thursday, April 11 @ 1pm EST – Register here

·         Tuesday, April 11th @ 1pm EST – Register here

·         Monday, April 15 @ 11 am EST – Register here

Refunds and Tax Payments:

If you are owed a refund, we highly recommend direct deposit in your US bank account or have the refund check sent to our address (300 Stodder Hall).

Students who do not have a US social security number or Tax ID (ITIN) and who need to apply for an ITIN must attend a workshop for assistance.  Do not file for the ITIN on your own.

Fees for Using Sprintax:

Federal Tax Form- $10.00- purchase this special tax code from the OIP website.  Once you enter the code it will remove the charge for filing the federal form.

State Tax Form- $49.95- Sprintax charges this fee to prepare your state tax form.  You can pay Sprintax directly with a credit or debit card or click “Remove” if you prefer to prepare your own state tax form.

We recommend that you do not purchase the tax code until you have entered enough information in the program to determine that you are a non-resident for tax purposes and will be able to use Sprintax.

OIP Workshops:

OIP will offer a limited number of workshops for first time filers and some other select groups.  Sign up for a workshop here.