Are you an international student filing taxes for the first time in the US? Are you a resident for tax purposes and just don’t know where to start? Completely unsure where you fall in terms of tax residency? UChicagoGRAD’s Administrative Services team has resources to help guide you through this complicated process! We specifically address the following populations:
- Nonresidents for Tax Purposes
- Residents for Tax Purposes
- Postdoctoral Fellows and Scholars
Graduate Administrative Services have updated our tax information sessions to help different UChicago populations prepare a 2024 tax return.
Nonresidents for Tax Purposes
Students who are considered non-residents for tax purposes can use Sprintax Tax Software to prepare and file a federal return at no cost. Access codes are provided annually by the Office of International Affairs in late February to all nonresident populations at the university, but please keep in mind as well that most nonresidents will not be able to file until later in March once 1042-S forms have been prepared and mailed by the university.
Residents for Tax Purposes
Any students who might be considered a resident for tax purposes – US citizens and permanent residents, international students who have been in the US for 5 years or more – we have resources for you too! While you cannot use Sprintax Tax Software to file, there are many free or low-cost options to prepare a return. The IRS launched IRS Direct File, their own in-house tax software, for residents of Illinois this past January. IRS Direct File allows eligible filers to complete a free federal return directly with the IRS on a user-friendly interface. This population can also utilize free prep services such as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to assist with basic tax return preparation and guidance with the filing process, and can use IRS Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA) for basic answers to a wide range of tax-related questions.
If you have more questions, or are just unsure how to get started, email gradhelp@uchicago.edu and we’ll point you in the right direction!