All international students and scholars who have been living in the United States over the past year must meet their tax filing responsibilities. In the United States, the period for filing tax returns runs from January to April each year. However, if an individual did not earn any income during that year, the deadline can be extended to June.
It is your responsibility to fulfill your tax obligations. The OISS staff are not certified public accountants and are unable to offer tax advice. Furthermore, the payroll and HR departments at UALR don’t provide tax guidance. Their primary role is to issue supporting tax documents or correct any tax documents that UALR has previously provided. It is recommended that you refrain from seeking tax advice from friends.
If you earn income in the United States while on a student visa, you must file both a federal and state tax return. This requirement applies regardless of the amount of income you earn. Additionally, even if you do not have any income to report, you are still required to submit Form 8843 to comply with tax regulations. For additional information, please visit the IRS website.
Download the following forms as needed:
Caution about the 1098T
Many students receive a tax form called the 1098T. This document can be used for eligible tax deductions on the 1040 or 1040A forms. Unfortunately, international students who are considered non-residents for tax purposes must use the 1040NR and cannot claim refunds associated with the 1098T.
For more information on eligibility, please consult IRS Publication 970. OISS cannot provide tax advice. For additional help, please contact your tax advisor or the IRS.