Students hiking near a stream in Iceland

Taxes for International Students/Scholars

U.S. Tax Filing for International Students & Scholars

UMF supports international students and scholars with resources to navigate U.S. tax filing.

UMF partners with Sprintax, a specialized tax preparation software, to help international students and scholars determine their tax status and complete the necessary U.S. federal (e.g., Form 8843, Form 1040NR) and state tax forms UMF. To use Sprintax, you’ll need essential documents such as your passport, visa (I-20 or DS-2019), W-2 and/or 1042-S forms (if applicable), entry and exit dates, and your Social Security Number or ITIN if you have one UMF. UMF and its staff do not provide personalized tax advice, so it’s important to follow the software’s guidance carefully

Two people walking in a park chatting with coffee in hands

Resident vs. Nonresident Status for U.S. Taxes

For federal tax purposes, most international students and scholars on F, J, M, or Q visas are considered nonresidents. F-1 and J-1 students are automatically treated as nonresidents for their first five calendar years in the U.S., while J-1 scholars or researchers are nonresidents for two out of the last six years. After these periods, the Substantial Presence Test is used to determine whether you are classified as a resident or nonresident for tax purposes.

Group of student in Scotland identifying flowers on a tree

How to File Taxes with Sprintax

UMF partners with Sprintax to help international students and scholars file U.S. taxes. After answering questions about your time in the U.S., Sprintax determines your tax residency status and, if you are a nonresident alien, guides you through preparing the correct federal and state tax forms. UMF staff cannot provide personal tax advice, but Sprintax makes the process straightforward. Fees apply, including $19.95 for Form 8843, $49.95 for federal returns with a UMF discount, and from $49.95 for state returns.

Step by Step guide on how to file your Nonresident Tax Forms ( F and J )

It’s important to gather what you need prior to beginning the process so you’re prepared!

Gather the documents you may need for Sprintax

Document	Description
✔️ Passport
✔️ Visa/Immigration information, including form I-20 (F status) or form DS-2019 (J status)
✔️ Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (if you have one)	This is not needed if you had no income and the 8843 is the only form you have to file.
✔️ W-2	This form reports your wage earnings if you worked. If you had more than one employer you should get a W-2 from each employer. It is issued by the end of January for the previous year. Make sure all employers from last year have an up-to-date address for you.
✔️ 1042-S	This form is used to report: stipend, scholarship, fellowship income and travel grants (not tuition reduction or exemption) income covered by a tax treaty payment for other types of services (e.g. by the semester as a note-taker) If you received this type of income, the 1042-S will be mailed to you by 15 March by the payer. Note: Only Nonresident Aliens receive this form. If your tax status changes to a Resident Alien you will not get a 1042-S. Login to Sprintax to check your tax status if you’re not sure.
✔️ US entry and exit dates for current and past visits to the US	In addition to passport stamps, you can review or print your US travel history here.
✔️ 1099	This form reports miscellaneous income. Can be interest on bank accounts, stocks, bonds, dividends, earning through freelance employment.
❌ 1098-T	This form is NOT needed and can NOT be used for a nonresident tax return because Non-Resident Aliens are not eligible to claim education expense tax credits.

Create a Sprintax Account

Use this UMF dedicated link to Sprintax to set up your account (or log in if previously registered) as well as your unique UMF discount code to use on Sprintax. Open your new Sprintax account by creating a UserID and password or if you have an existing account on Sprintax you can login using your existing credentials.

Follow the Sprintax instructions

If you did not earn any US Income: Sprintax will generate a completed Form 8843 for you and each of your dependents (if you have any).

If you did earn US Income: Sprintax will generate your “tax return documents”, including form 1040NR, depending on your circumstances.

(With U.S. income only) If required, complete your state tax return

After you finish your federal return, Sprintax will inform you if you need to complete a state tax return. If so, you will have the option to use Sprintax for an additional fee. However, it is your choice to use them or to do the state tax return on your own.

Read the instructions for filing/mailing your returns

Remember to read the instructions that Sprintax provides.

You will be required to download, print and sign your federal tax return and mail it to the IRS. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to E-file your Federal tax return. However, this will depend on certain eligibility criteria. You can learn more about eligibility in this Sprintax blog

If you have a state filing requirement, you must also mail this to the tax authorities in the appropriate state.

Finally, if you only need to file Form 8843, this will also need to be mailed to the IRS.

Need Sprintax Support?

Sprintax Educational Tax Videos and Blog:

You also have access to the Sprintax YouTube account where there are a number of educational videos on nonresident taxes. These will provide further clarity on nonresident tax and how to use Sprintax. Sprintax also offer a range of useful content on their blog to help you file your return.

DISCLAIMER: International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) and the school are NOT permitted to assist any student/scholar with any IRS tax form preparation or tax related questions. The information provided is intended for your benefit. Any questions or concerns should be directed to Sprintax, a certified tax preparer or a local IRS field office.

Resources for Filing as a Resident

If you are a resident for tax purposes you are taxed the same as a U.S. citizen on worldwide income. You cannot request a Sprintax access code or use the Sprintax software, but you may use the free tax software provided by the IRS. You can also use Turbo Tax or other commercial software that is designed to prepare tax returns for US citizens. You may also want to seek help or advice from a tax preparation expert. You will likely be filing one of the following tax forms:

Updated forms available soon…..

Form 1040- US Individual Income Tax Return

Form 1040- Instructions

Drone image of the Sandy river and Prescott fields different sports fields in the fall with orange foliage

Office of Experiential & Global Education
University of Maine at Farmington
106 Fusion Space
117 South Street
Farmington, Maine 04938
Phone: 207-778-7122
exchangeprograms@umf.maine.edu