Tax Information
Monday, April 15th, 2024 is Tax Day in the US for tax year 2023!
What does it mean to file taxes?
To “file your taxes," you complete the required tax forms for the previous year (tax year) and mail them to the appropriate address. Be sure to keep a copy for yourself!What does it mean to file taxes?
Example: By Tax Day in 2024, you will file tax paperwork for 2023. By Tax Day in 2025, you will file tax paperwork for 2024.
What forms do I need to file?
1. If you (and your F-2 dependents) were in the US for at least one day during the tax year, you need to file Form 8843. If you were not in the US in that tax year, you do not need to file this form.
Form 8843 - All F-1 students and their F-2 dependents (any age) must file Form 8843 even if you didn’t earn income in the US. This is an information form. Mail each Form 8843 in a separate envelope for each family member. If you did not earn income in the US in the tax year, you only need to file Form 8843.
Send your federal Form 8843 to:
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Center
Austin, TX 73301-0215
2. If you earned income in the US in the tax year (January 1st - December 31st), you need to file both Form 8843 and Form 1040NR. You need to file Form M-1 as well.
Form 8843 - Mail together with your Form 1040NR.
Form 1040NR - U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return. You must file this form to claim a refund of taxes paid.
Form M-1 or M1-PR - Minnesota Tax Return - See instructions for who should file.
We recommend you use a tax preparation service such as Sprintax if you have questions about any of the above forms. (See FAQs for more information on Sprintax.)
Send your federal Form 1040NR to:
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Center
Austin, TX 73301-0215
*Note: If you are mailing a payment to the IRS, you may need to use a different address. Verify the mailing address on the IRS website before mailing payments.
Send your Minnesota Form M-1 to:
Minnesota Department of Revenue
Mail Station 0010
600 N. Robert Street
St. Paul, MN 55145-0010
Send your Minnesota Form M1-PR to:
Minnesota Property Tax Refund
Mail Station 0020
600 N. Robert St.
St. Paul, MN 55145-0020
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What is the deadline for filing taxes?
In the United States, "Tax Day" is the day on which individual income tax returns are due to be submitted to the federal government. This is usually on or around April 15th each year. The 2023 tax filing deadline is Monday, April 15th, 2024.
Where can I learn more about my tax filing requirements? Who can help me prepare and file my tax forms?
Sprintax is a nonresident tax preparation service. They have educational information on their Youtube page.
- Click here if you would like to file with Sprintax. The first 50 CSP students can receive a $5 discount on the federal filing using code: 5CUSP50F23
- You can view the Sprintax Instruction Sheet for step-by-step instructions on how to file.
Study in the States has a Filing Taxes 101 page about requirements for F-1 students and links to the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) website on who must file and how to file.
If you have been in the US for 5 calendar years or more, you may be a "resident for tax purposes." See below in the FAQ for more information.
For other tax forms such as W-4 and tax treaty forms, please contact your employer's HR office. Sprintax also offers a service to help with completing these documents. More information can be found here.
Are there webinars to help me understand tax requirements?
Yes. Both ISS and Sprintax offer webinars.
Join us for the ISS Tax Workshop:
ISS: Tax Workshop February 22, 2024, at 3:30 PM Zoom link here.
You may register for the Sprintax webinars by clicking the links below:
Tuesday March 5th @ 4pm ET – Register here
Wednesday March 20th @ 2pm ET – Register here
Wednesday March 27th @ 1pm ET – Register here
Thursday April 4th @ 3pm ET – Register here
Wednesday April 10th @ 12pm ET – Register here
Monday April 15th @ 1pm ET – Register here
Can ISS help me with my tax forms?
No. Tax law in the US is complex, and ISS staff are not tax experts. We cannot help you with your tax forms.
What tax documents will I need to complete these forms?
Depending on your situation, you may receive a Form W-2, 1098-T, 1099INT, 1099DIV, 1099MISC, or 1095.
What about a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)?
Generally, students will either have an SSN or ITIN for use on tax related documents. Students are eligible for an SSN if they have had paid on or off-campus work. Students who have not been eligible for an SSN in the past may be eligible for an ITIN instead. Talk to your tax professional for more information on ITINs.
To learn more about SSNs for international students, visit the ISS Portal info page or the Social Security Administration info page.
To learn more about ITINS for international students, visit the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) info page.
What about Form 1098-T and 1042-S?
Form 1098-T will be issued to all students with a social security number or ITIN on file with CSP. Students can view this form in CSP Connect. Form 1042-S is not issued by CSP as it is only for scholarships that provide living expenses. CSP only awards tuition scholarships.
The Form 1098-T is not relevant to tax nonresidents and won't be needed for tax forms. It is relevant to tax residents.
To view your 1098T, login to CSP Connect, find the "My Account" card, and select "View Student Tax Forms." Choose the current tax year from the dropdown menu.
For security reasons, please call the Registrar's Office at 651-641-8233 with additional questions or to update your social security number or ITIN with the university. Never send your social security number or ITIN by email.
What income does not typically trigger a filing requirement for nonresidents?
Scholarship for tuition and related expenses, scholarship received from outside the US, money transferred from parents/relatives abroad, income earned in their home country (investments, rent, job before moving to US), and interest on regular savings account.
Please contact Sprintax or your tax preparer for more information.
Do I really have to file these tax forms?
There is no monetary penalty for not filing the Form 8843.
However, F-1 visa laws say students must follow all US laws. Tax laws are US laws.
Applicants for H-1B work visas and permanent residency (“green cards”) are frequently asked to show proof of tax filing for previous years in the US.
What if I missed a year or filed as a resident by mistake?
It will be important to set the record straight in these cases. If you missed a year of filing tax forms, you can back file, but you can only claim a refund for the previous three years. If you misfiled as a resident, you can submit the Form 1040X - Amended US Individual Income Tax Return.
If I file, will I have to pay taxes?
It depends on your individual situation. Not everyone will pay taxes to the US government, but all F-1 visa holders are required to file the appropriate paperwork (Form 8843, Form 1040NR, etc.)
International students may be entitled to a number of benefits and exemptions. In fact, if you paid too much tax throughout the year, you may be entitled to a refund check.
What does it mean to be a “resident” for tax purposes?
If you entered the US more than five calendar years ago, you may be treated as a US resident for filing your taxes. You will not be able to use Sprintax or the Form 1040NR. In this case, you can use another online tax prep service or go to a tax preparation store front like H&R Block.
Ex. You entered the US any time (even one day) in 2019 = 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023. You will be a tax resident for first time in tax year 2023.
You should verify your individual situation with the tax software you use or your tax preparer.
What about FICA (Social Security and Medicare) withholdings?
This information applies to individuals in F-1 status who are considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes.
You are NOT subject to Social Security and Medicare tax withholding on your wages if you have on-campus employment, CPT, OPT, or approved Economic Hardship. You can read more information on the IRS' website HERE.
If your employer has withheld these taxes in error, follow these steps:
1. You must first request a refund of these taxes from your employer. If your employer is able to refund the Social Security and Medicare taxes, then no further action is necessary.
2. If your employer is unable to refund these taxes, request a statement outlining their denial of your refund, then you may then file Form 843 and Form 8316 to request a refund from IRS.
Can I get a tax refund from the MN Certificate of Rent Paid by filing Form M-1PR?
You may qualify if you meet the requirements. Please see the MN Department of Revenue's Renter's Property Tax Refund page for current requirements and to determine if you are eligible.
What are my requirements if I have a different visa status than F-1?
Please contact a tax professional to talk about your individual requirements.
The information contained in this web site is not intended as, and does not serve as, legal advice. It is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional tax advice. Content is subject to change, and students are advised to consult an experienced tax professional for advice and further information. Neither Concordia University, St. Paul nor the Office of International Student Services is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this website, or for the results obtained from the use of this information.