Taxes & Filing

Disclaimer: ISS advisors are NOT trained in tax law and thus, cannot give tax advice or assist you in filing your returns. The information below does not constitute tax advice and is intended as a helpful resource. Any questions or concerns should be directed to tax filing programs like Sprintax, a certified tax preparer, or the IRS (Internal Revenue Service).

If you were present in the U.S. between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, you have tax filing obligations for the 2024 Tax Year.

Tax season begins the end of January with a deadline of Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

Sprintax Webinar Series 2024/2025 Season

Sprintax Nonresident Tax Webinar

Topics covered in these FREE webinars 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.

Sprintax Nonresident Tax Overview for OPT/CPT

Topics covered in these FREE webinars include residency for tax purposes, tax liabilities when on OPT/CPT, and pre-employment tax forms when on OPT/CPT. The Sprintax team will also provide an overview of Sprintax Forms which can be used to prepare your pre OPT/CPT employment tax documents.

Overview: Taxes & the IRS

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the U.S. government agency that collects taxes. As a nonresident F-1 or J-1 student, you may need to file forms each year with the IRS, even if you earned no income. It is your individual responsibility to understand and meet your tax obligations.

Tax Filing Programs

Our office recommends Sprintax (you can use any means to file). It is the nonresident partner of Turbo Tax specifically made for international students and scholars.

Sprintax also has a YouTube channel where there are a number of educational videos on nonresident taxes to provide further clarity on the subject of using Sprintax and nonresident Taxes.

Determining Tax Status

Students holding an F-1 or J-1 visa are exempt from FICA (payroll taxes) for the first five (5) calendar years they are in the U.S. Once they become a resident alien under the Substantial Presence Test they are eligible for FICA tax on January 1 of the calendar year they become a resident alien (for tax purposes).

Please review Example 1 of the IRS' Tax Residency Status Examples.

If you did DID NOT work, file Form 8843.

If you did not earn any U.S. income, you should file Form 8843 before June 15.The instructions for completing Form 8843 can be found on page 3 and 4 of IRS Form 8843 and we recommend you review this Sprintax Blog which gives you step-by-step guidance on completing the form.

General Steps

Print Form 8843.

  • Fill out the form* on your computer using Adobe Acrobat, print and sign in blue or black ink.
  • Print the form and fill it out* very clearly using a blue or black ink pen.
  • *When filling out the form, use the instructions below to determine which sections you must fill out and which you can leave blank.

Top Portion

  • Complete the top portion of the form with your name (as it appears on your passport) and addresses.
  • If you have an SSN (Social Security Number) or ITIN (Individual Tax identification Number), you can write it in the top right box ("Your U.S. taxpayer identification number, if any"). However, you do not need an SSN or ITIN if you are only filing Form 8843. You can leave this box blank if you do not have either.

Part I: General Information
Answer each question. Here are tips to help clarify some of the questions:

  • Line 1a: Write your visa type and last date you entered the U.S. (refer to your I-94 if unsure).
  • Line 1b: Write your current nonimmigrant visa status (F-1, J-1, etc.).
  • Line 4a: Write the actual number of days you were physically present in the U.S. for the years indicated.
  • Line 4b: Write the same number of days you wrote in 4a for 2024.

Part II: Teachers and Trainees
Skip this section.

In Part III: Students

  • Line 9: Write Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL 32211 - (904) 256-7067.
  • Line 10: Write Kimberly Marsh, ISS, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL 32211 - (904) 256-7013.
  • Line 11: Write your visa status only for the years you were present in the U.S. Otherwise leave blank. 

Part IV: Professional Athletes
Skip this section.

Part V: Individuals With a Medical Condition or Medical Problem
Skip this section.

Bottom Portion
Sign in blue or black ink, and date on the last line of page 2.

NOTE: You must mail each individual Form 8843 to the address below. If you have dependents, everyone must submit their own 8843 in a separate envelope. Do not include any other forms in your envelope.

Next Steps

  • Make a copy of the completed form and save it for your records (electronic and print).
  • Mail the form to the IRS using the information at the bottom of this page. We recommend that you choose tracking and receipt confirmation when you mail as the receipt conformation will be your only form of proof that you have mailed Form 8843. IRS will not send you any confirmation of receipt. If not, standard stamps cost around $0.75 each.

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Center
Austin, TX 73301-0215 

If you DID work and/or received a lot of scholarships or stipends, you must file a U.S. tax return.

Please use a software like Sprintax or consult with tax professionals to assist you with filing your taxes. ISS partners with Sprintax and can provide you with a discount code.

"A lot" refers to scholarships and/or stipends that cover more than tuition, books, and mandatory fees. You are eligible for a Form 1042-S which JU is legally required to provide to you by March 17, 2025.

Important Note: If you are receiving both a W-2 (and/or 1099) AND a 1042-S, you must wait until you have all your income statements before you begin preparing your tax return.

How to File Sprintax Playlist

Before You File: Documents to Save

  • Form W-2: These are mailed (or provided digitally) by current and former employers. This form shows how much you earned last year and how much was taken out for taxes. You will only receive this form if you have been employed.
    • Form 1099 (if applicable): The 1099 form documents miscellaneous income. For example, if you had CPT authorization to work as an independent contractor, you might receive Form 1099 instead of Form W-2 to document your earnings. If you tutored with Knack and made more than $600, you should receive a 1099-NEC.
  • Form 1042-S: Only be given to nonresident students who have received scholarship or fellowship money that exceeds tuition, fees, and book charges. If you expect to receive a 1042-S form, wait until it is issued before filing your tax return.
  • Passport.
  • F-1 Visa or J-1 Visa (citizens of Bermuda or Canada are visa exempt).
  • I-20 (F-1 status) or DS-2019 (J-1 status).
  • Social Security Number or Individual Tax Identification Number.
  • Address information (current U.S. address and foreign address).
  • U.S. entry and exit dates for current and past visits to the U.S. You can get much of your travel information from the online I-94 system.
    • TIP: You must input your info as shown on your passport. If you have a middle name, but on your passport, it's written in the same line as your first name, you must write down both in the first name section of the online I-94 system.
  •  Academic institution information (name, address, phone).
    • Jacksonville University, 2800 University Blvd N, Jacksonville, FL 32211,  (904) 256-7000.
  • Scholarship/fellowship grant letter (if any).
  • A copy of last year’s federal income tax return, if filed.

What is a tax treaty country?

The U.S. has income tax treaties with a number of foreign countries. Under these treaties, residents (not necessarily citizens) of foreign countries are taxed at a reduced rate, or are exempt from U.S. income taxes on certain items of income they receive from sources within the U.S.. These reduced rates and exemptions vary among countries and specific items of income.

Tax Treaty Countries as of 2024:

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Egypt, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela.

If you need to claim Tax Treaty benefits, you MUST have a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).

It is recommended that apply for an ITIN before tax season if:

  1. You were present in the U.S. on an F-1 between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.
  2. You do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) or an existing ITIN.
  3. You are a member of a Tax Treaty country.
  4. You are receiving scholarship(s) that covers more than your tuition, fees, and books (such as athletes with NLIs).

If you wish to claim tax treaty benefits, it is much easier and highly recommend you apply for a W-7 before tax season. Please connect with ISS if you wish to go over this process now before the end of the Fall 2024 term.

International Student Services

International Student Services Home Frequently Asked Questions

Related Links

Title IX Office of Admissions

Contact

International Student Services

Office location

2800 University Blvd N
Jacksonville, FL 32211

Office hours

Mon – Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Telephone number

+1 800-225-2027