The deadline to file U.S. income tax returns for the 2021 tax year is fast approaching. Any international employees and students who have not yet filed an income tax return should do so as soon as possible.
Most years, taxes are due April 15. Due to a public holiday in Washington D.C — Emancipation Day —that is usually observed on April 16 falling on a Saturday, federal offices in D.C. will be closed April 15 and so the filing deadline has been extended to April 18.
Remember: International students and scholar visiting on F or J visas must file form 8843 whether they received income or not.
Among the crucial documents you may receive from the university to help complete your tax return are IRS Forms W-2 and/or 1042-S.
- Form W-2 is issued to any employee who receives taxable wages from CU.
- Form 1042-S is issued to resident and nonresident alien employees and students to report their tax treaty exempt wages. Nonresident alien scholarship and stipend recipients with taxable or tax treaty exempt income of this type will also receive form 1042-S. Employees and students with more than one type of 1042-S reportable income should expect to receive more than one 1042-S.
These forms should have already arrived in your mailbox — if you have not received 1042-S but are expecting one based on wage or stipend income, please complete .
This year, CU is partnering with to support nonresident alien employees and students in their personal tax filing obligation. The International Tax Office will offer a limited number of free software licenses to Sprintax’s online tax preparation tool for federal tax filing to eligible nonresident alien employees and students in F or J status. Sprintax can also help with state tax filing, however, if you elect to file a state tax return using Sprintax, you’ll need to pay an additional fee.
This software is a user-friendly resource to help international employees:
- Determine resident or nonresident U.S. tax residency status and filing requirements.
- Prepare necessary tax return documents including forms 1040-NR and 8843 which can then be printed, signed and mailed for filing. (Some users may be able to file electronically, instead.)
- Ensure all applicable tax treaties are applied.
- Find assistance and information with an available , , and email access to Sprintax tax professionals.
To take advantage of this resource, watch for emails from the International Tax Office in February and March announcing that free licenses are available or check the where we will post an update as soon as licenses are available. Request yours as soon as you’re able — they will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you aren’t able to secure one of the free licenses, you can still use Sprintax to complete your returns for a fee. Visit the to learn more about your filing obligations and Sprintax features.Â
Finally, Sprintax will be hosting regular open tax webinars throughout the spring where you can learn more about your U.S. tax filing obligations and how Sprintax can help you meet them.
Sprintax Open Webinar dates, times and registration links:
- Tuesday, April 5 at 11 a.m. MST
- Monday, April 11 at 10 a.m. MST
- Thursday, April 14 at 11 a.m. MST
- Friday, April 15 at 10 a.m. MST
note: all registration links have been removed