Taxes

NOTE: Most Federal Tax returns for those who worked in the U.S. during 2007 must be postmarked no later than April 15, 2008.

Resources

FSU Payroll and GLACIER (Glacier is a web-based program utilized by Florida State University to determine the tax eligibility of our nonresident alien employees.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

Do I need to file a tax return if I was not employed?
What is a W-2 form? What do I do if I get one?
I heard that tax treaties between my country and the US affect how income tax is calculated. Where can I get more information?

These are some of the questions that come up during tax filing season. The IC staff are NOT experts on U.S. taxation, so we are not qualified to answer your tax-related questions; however, we have prepared some resources to help you navigate through the forms and laws.

  1. CINTAX: CINTAX is a NonResident Alien Tax Preparation software that will ask you questions to guide you through completing your tax forms. It is free but we have a limited number of licenses for the software. As of February 1, the instructions for using CINTAX as wellas the access code were sent to you via email (International Center listservs) and have been posted in Blackboard.
  2. Tax workshop for International Students/Scholars
    Friday, February 22, 2008, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
    at HCB 103
    Facilitators: Alison Riley and Jackie Keller

    Registration will be required. Go to Events and Workshops on the IC web site. On the Registration page, it is under Special Programs and Events.

  3. This Tax Web page: This page provides links to numerous resources such as a very useful step-by-step Guide published by the University of Texas at Austin in conjunction with the IRS, information on what forms are needed as well as links to the forms, and more.

If you need help or have tax questions please call the IRS office: 1-800-829-1040 or the local Tallahassee number at 850-942-8995 or visit their web site at:
http://www.irs.gov


For a very helpful TAX FILING TOOL, go to: http://www.utexas.edu/international/taxes. This site, developed by UT Austin together with the IRS, will help you:

  • Determine if you are required to file a tax return;
  • Determine which form or forms you should file;
  • Understand the filing instructions; and
  • Prepare and submit you own federal tax forms.

Also see Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.

Remember: IC staff members DO NOT GIVE TAX ADVICE.

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FSU Payroll and GLACIER

For Payroll, tax treaties & W-2 questions, please email
HR-International@admin.fsu.edu or contact Eydie Thurston at Human Resources at: 644-6470.

Note: For more information, go to the FSU Human Resources web site.
Glacier also has a FAQ sheet within the system that answers these main questions:

  • Why am I required to provide information in Glacier?
  • Why is my tax status important?
  • Can I be exempt from tax withholding?
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Frequently Asked Questions:


What documents should I have on hand in order to fill out my tax forms?

  • Social Security card or International Tax Identification Number (ITIN)
  • For bank interest: 1099-INT
  • For wages earned from work: W-2 (from each employer in 2007; you should receive all W-2 forms by the end of January.)
  • For taxable scholarship/assistantship money: 1042 S

What IRS forms should I complete?
TYPE OF INCOME FORM TO FILL OUT
no income or bank interest only 8843
wages + scholarship/fellowship + simple bank interest 1040NREZ and 8843
wages + scholarship/fellowship + simple bank interest 1040NR and 8843

Do I have to fill out forms for my children or non-working spouse?
Yes. As mentioned above, you need to fill out form 8843; all F and J non-residents must file forms according to the type and amount of income they earned.

Every person filing tax returns must have either a Social Security Number or an ITIN number.
ITIN numbers can be obtained from the Tallahassee IRS office in the City Center Building Downtown: 227 N. Bronough St. Suite 1019 Tallahassee, Fl 32301 (850) 942-8995.
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html#

What is the deadline for submitting the federal tax forms?
If required to file 1040 NR or 1040 NREZ: April 15, 2008
If filing 8843 with tax return: April 15, 2008
If required to file ONLY 8843: June 16, 2008

Where do I file my tax forms?
Internal Revenue Service Center
Austin, TX
73301-0215

What publications should I read to inform myself better about filing taxes?
Publication 519-US Tax Guide for Aliens
Publication 901-Tax Treaties
(see: http://www.irs.gov/publications/index.html)

Where can I find instructions and forms?
http://www.irs.ustreas.gov (click on Forms & Pubs, bottom of the page)
Leon County Public Library, 200 W. Park Avenue

Do i need to file for individual state income tax?
The state of Florida does not have state income tax. If you were employed in another state, check the www.irs.gov website for information on taxation for that state. Some states have no state taxes and others have limited taxation (for example for dividends and interest income only. States with limited or no state taxes are: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and Wyoming. For more information, go to: http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/link/forms.html or http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/news_taxes_home.asp

Note: The IC provides the above links for informational purposes only. This is not an endorsement of these websites or any links on these websites.

Will there be another IC Tax workshop if I cannot attend this one?
No. At this time, this is is the only tax workshop we have scheduled.

Where else can I get help to prepare my taxes?
There are professional services in town that will charge a fee. We cannot vouch for any business so try to go with a well-known or nationally recognized tax service provider like H&R Block. Remember to ask if they help with tax reparation for Nonresident aliens as not all of them do.

Important: Please file your taxes as early as possible. You may not get the help you need if you wait until the last minute.

The International Center does not give tax advice. Please come to our tax workshop to get your questions answered. For further questions regarding the workshop, call 644-1702 or e-mail Intctr@admin.fsu.edu

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