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International Students and Scholars

International Student and Scholar Tax Obligations

All international students and scholars are legally required to file an annual tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). International Students and Scholars (ISS) staff is legally restricted from advising on tax matters and preparing tax forms for individual students; however, we can provide basic information and resources.

If you were present in the U.S. for even a single day in a given year, you must file Federal tax returns (though you do not necessarily have to pay taxes). If you had any U.S. income, you may also be required to file a State tax return.

Sprintax Tax Preparation Software

Sprintax is a tax filing service designed for international students and scholars. Sprintax is a service not owned by or otherwise affiliated with Pace University. Pace University hereby expressly disclaims any and all responsibility and/or liability for legal or other claims or demands that may arise from the user’s interaction(s) with Sprintax services. A user who interacts with Sprintax does so at her or his sole risk. By using Sprintax, the user confirms that she or he has read, understands, and agrees to the preceding statement.

In our efforts to assist our international students and scholars, each year we arrange FREE access to Sprintax Tax Preparation software. Sprintax will guide you through the tax preparation process, arrange the necessary documents and check if you’re due a tax refund.

All you need to do is:

  1. Register for Sprintax and follow the instructions
  2. Complete the online questionnaire
  3. Enter your unique code in the box on the Review your order page (the unique code is provided to current students and scholars via email in February each year)
  4. Sprintax will prepare your tax return.
  5. Once you complete the preparation process through the Sprintax software, you must print, sign and mail your documents to the IRS by the tax filing deadline.

If you have any questions, the Sprintax team will be happy to help via their 24/7 live chat facility or via email: hello@sprintax.com.

SPRINTAX provides a series of FREE TAX WEBINARS. In these tax webinars you will learn everything you need to know about nonresident tax filing. Topics will include who must file, tax residency, FICA, State returns, implications of misfiling, as well as how to use Sprintax to prepare a compliant tax return. A Sprintax tax professional will answer any tax-related questions you may have.

Tax Treaties

The U.S. has tax treaties with some countries and territories under which their citizens may be exempt from all or part of their U.S. income. For more information on tax treaties, as well as a list of these counties, see IRS Publication 901.