Tax Information for International Students

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All international students on F-1 or J-1 visas who were present in the US during the previous calendar year are required to complete and submit certain tax forms. Why do you need to do this? First, it is required by US law. Failure to submit the necessary federal tax forms may cause difficulties when you return to your home country and renew your visa to return to the US. Second, you may be asked to produce copies of tax forms if you apply to change your visa status (such as to an H-1B "work visa") in the future. And finally, you may be eligible for a refund if you received US-source income.

Were you present in the US at any time during the previous calendar year?

• If no, then you do not need to submit any tax forms.
• If yes, please continue.

Did you receive any US-source income during the previous calendar year?

"US-source income" refers to income you earned by working in the US or scholarships you received from a US organization. (A scholarship from your home country is not considered "US-source" income.)

• If no, then follow the instructions in the section called "If you did not receive any US-source income" below.
• If yes, then follow the instructions in the section called "If you received income from US sources" below.

If you did not receive any US-source income

If you did not receive any US-source income from work or scholarships covering more than the amount of your tuition and books last year, you are required to file only Form 8843. Download Form 8843 (PDF) or pick up a copy at the International Student Services office. Another option is to use an online "wizard" tool to complete Form 8843, which will make the process easier for you. After using the online "wizard" tool, you can print, sign and mail the Form 8843 to the appropriate tax office.

Part I

1a:

Enter the type of visa (F or J) that you used to enter the US and the date you entered the US.

1b:

Your current non-immigrant status should be the same as #1a unless you changed status while in the US. No date is required unless you changed your status.

4a:

Count the number of days you were physically present in the US in each of the last 3 calendar years.

4b:

This should be the same number that you entered in the first blank on #4a.

Part II

Leave blank.

Part III

9:

Enter: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, 200 W. Kāwili St., Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 932-7467

10:

Enter: Jim Mellon, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, 200 W. Kāwili St., Hilo, HI 96720, 808-932-7467

11-14:

Answer each question according to your individual situation.

Part IV and Part V

Leave blank.

Sign the bottom of page 2. Then make a copy for your records and mail it to the address in the instructions (see the section called "When and Where to File"):

The deadline to send this form is June 15.

Please note: If you already have a US social security number or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), you must write the number on Form 8843. However, if you do not have a social security number or ITIN, you do not need to apply for one if you have no US-source income. Please read the Form 8843 Instructions (PDF) for more detailed information.

If you received income from US sources

If you received income from US sources (such as from working in the US and/or from a scholarship totaling more than the amount of your tuition and books), you are required to file Form 1040NR-EZ or Form 1040NR and Form 8843. The deadline to send these forms is April 18.

Where can I get help with filling out these forms?

The International Student Services office has a free online program called Glacier Tax Prep. It is like "Turbo-Tax" but it is designed specifically for international students on visas. If you would like to use this program, please send an email message to mellon@hawaii.edu requesting an access code. You will then receive a code to access the program along with instructions. Note: You do not need to use this program if you only need to submit Form 8843 (see above). Also, access codes will only be provided to 1) current UH Hilo international students, 2) UH Hilo international students who graduated within the past year, or 3) UH Hilo international students who are currently doing OPT or who completed OPT within the past year.

Note that there are two sets of tax forms: one for the federal government and another for the State of Hawaiʻi. Glacier Tax Prep is used to prepare the federal tax forms. For the State of Hawaiʻi tax forms, currently there is no free online program for international students to help you prepare your State of Hawaii tax forms.

Another option is to pay for the services of a professional tax preparer or use tax preparation software (such as TurboTax, Jackson Hewitt, TaxAct, or H & R Block.

Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN)

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a issued by the US Internal Revenue Service to individuals who are required for US tax purposes to have a US taxpayer identification number but who do not have and are not eligible to get a social security number. An ITIN does not entitle you to work in the US and does not change your immigration status. Not all international students need to get an ITIN. Examples of students who need to get an ITIN include:

• An international student who will receive some sort of non-work payment, such as a stipend issued by the University.
• An international student who is required to file a US tax return but who is not eligible for a social security number, or who is claiming an exception to the tax return filing requirement.
• An international student claiming reduced withholding under an applicable income tax treaty for which an ITIN is required. (See IRS Publication 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities .)
• A dependent/spouse of a nonresident alien US visa holder, who is not eligible for a social security number.

You can apply for an ITIN by mail, but the fastest way is to make an appointment at the Taxpayer Assistance Center at 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 228, in Hilo. To schedule an appointment at the Taxpayer Assistance Center, call 844-545-5640. Use the W-7 form to apply for an ITIN. View instructions for the W-7 form. After the Internal Revenue Service processes your W-7 form, they will send you an ITIN in the mail. If you have any questions or need assistance with applying for an ITIN, contact the Director of International Student Services.

If you are submitting a US tax return and do not have an ITIN, you can apply for an ITIN at the same time you submit your tax return forms. The easiest way to do this to apply for an ITIN at the Taxpayer Assistance Center in Hilo, where you can also submit your US tax return. Another way is to complete a W-7 form and send it in the mail with your tax return forms.

WH-1 and W8-BEN Forms

You may be asked to submit forms called a WH-1 and W8-BEN form if you will be receiving a scholarship or stipend payment. The purpose of these forms is so that the University can determine if taxes need to be withheld from your payment. If you need to fill out these forms:

• Follow these instructions if you are on an F or J visa (PDF).
• Follow these instructions if you are from one of the Compact of Free Association nations (PDF).

Form 1098-T

Form 1098-T is a federal form which colleges and universities issue to report qualified tuition, scholarships and related expenses for students. The form is used to assist individuals with determining if they are eligible for certain tax credits. International students on visas generally cannot claim these education tax credits. For more information on this form and education tax credits, please visit the UH Financial Management Office .

If you are an international student from a Compact of Free Association nation, you may be able to claim this education tax credit. You can access your Form 1098-T form in your MyUH account. After signing in, type "1098" in the search box and then choose "View/Print 1098-T Tax Form and Information." You may be eligible to claim education tax credits.

Students from Canada

If you are from Canada and need to get the Tuition, Education and Textbook Amounts Certificate form completed by the University, please bring the form to the Registrar's Office (1st floor of the Student Services Center) and they will complete it for you. This Canada Revenue Agency form is used to certify eligibility for the tuition, education and textbook amounts of a student attending a university outside Canada.

Students from South Korea

If you are from South Korea and need an official tuition receipt for tax purposes, please submit a request via email to uhhcash@hawaii.edu. The UH Hilo Cashier's Office can send the document to your hawaii.edu email account or they can send it via regular mail. In your email request, indicate whether you want the document sent to your hawaii.edu email or to a mailing address.

Students from the Compact of Free Association Nations

If you worked in the US last year, you should receive a form called a W-2 form from your employer. A W-2 form is a document that shows how much income you earned last year and how much taxes (if any) were taken out of your paychecks. Employees use this W-2 form to file US federal and Hawaiʻi state tax forms.

Are you required to submit US federal and Hawaii state tax forms if you worked in the US last year? No, not everyone is required to submit these tax forms. It depends on four things: 1) how much money you earned, 2) how old you are, 3) your “filing status” (e.g., single, married), and 4) whether you are considered a “dependent” or “independent.” See more detailed information about filing a tax return. Most of you are probably not required to submit the forms. However, even if you are not required to submit tax forms, you may want to submit them because you might be able to receive a refund of taxes that were taken out of your paychecks.

If you had health insurance through HealthCare.gov last year, then you MUST file tax forms even if you did not earn any income. You should receive a 1095A form in the mail (or you can print a copy at www.HealthCare.gov). You will need the 1095A form when you file tax forms. If you do not file tax forms, your ability to continue receiving health insurance through HealthCare.gov will be jeopardized.

UH Hilo is not able to assist students with preparing tax forms. However, here are some options for assistance:

1. Goodwill: Goodwill offers free tax preparation services for qualified individuals and families. Consult Goodwill's website for more information and to schedule an appointment.
2. You can use the Internal Revenue Service's Free File program.
3. MyFreeTaxes: MyFreeTaxes allows anyone who earned less than $60,000 to prepare and electronically file their federal and state tax returns for free.
4. AARP: Offers free tax help. Visit the Tax-Aide website for more information.
5. TurboTax: TurboTax is an online program to help you prepare tax forms.
6. VITA: The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help for taxpayers who qualify.
7. You can pay for a professional tax preparation company in Hilo such as H & R Block or Jackson Hewitt (inside Walmart) to prepare the tax forms.