Taxes

NOTE: Most Federal Tax returns for those who worked in the U.S. during 2008 must be postmarked no later than April 15, 2009.

Tax Information for 2008 Filing:

The International Center will host a Tax Workshop on February 26, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Student Services Bldg. Rm 208.  This workshop will be facilitated by Alison Riley, a Certified Public Accountant (Ph.D in Accounting).  Registration for the workshop is required.  Please go to:
https://cfprod.ais.fsu.edu/dsa/IC/?filteredEvents=3#3

In the meantime, you must determine your RESIDENCY status for TAX PURPOSES. Please use the University of Texas at Austin tax tool at http://www.utexas.edu/international/taxes/status.html to determine:

  • whether you are a Resident or Non-Resident FOR TAX PURPOSES ONLY and,
  • which tax form you need to complete and mail to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Knowing the above (your Tax residency status and needed forms) will help you determine if you need to use CINTAX to file your tax return.

If you received any payment or funds from Florida State University in 2008, you will receive an email from GLACIER about access to CINTAX, an online tax preparation software. An international student/scholar who received any income or scholarship in 2008 is REQUIRED by federal law to file a U.S. income tax return by the deadline of April 15, 2009.

This year, the FSU International Center has purchased a license agreement so that you can use CINTAX for free to prepare your U.S. income tax return. FSU also uses GLACIER Online Tax Compliance Software, in which you should have previously completed an Individual Record. This year, you will be able to access CINTAX by going through GLACIER. To do so, you'll simply access GLACIER using your existing UserID and Password and GLACIER will transfer certain data to CINTAX - making your tax return preparation even easier!

However, we do have a limited number of licenses available. The GLACIER-CINTAX link will be activated and available on February 19 at 5:00 pm. We ask that you log in after 5:00 pm on February 19 and start your return. By doing so, you will access one of the licenses for yourself and be assured that you will be able to use the software. You do not have to complete the forms; CINTAX will save your information. Note that once the GLACIER-CINTAX link is activated, it also sends out an email with information to all students and scholars.

Please remember that the IC Advisers are not tax experts, so we cannot answer any tax-related questions for you.
tax brochure
Click image above to view brochure.

» 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 Non-Resident Alien Tax Preparation software that will ask you questions to guide you through completing your tax forms. It is free and access is via your Glacier login for those who received income or scholarship funds from FSU in 2008. Note that but we have a limited number of licenses for the software.
    » More information: CINTAX-GLACIER information sheet

  2. If you were on OPT or Academic Training in 2008 and did not earn any income from FSU, the access code for any remaining CINTAX licenses will be available from your IC advisor beginning March 5th.
    » More information about CINTAX: CINTAX brochure.

    You may also choose to purchase an individual license directly from CINTAX ($39). www.arcticintl.com/cintaxorder.htm

  3. If you have no income to report see Form 8843 information.

  4. NAFSA Association of International Educators Tax Brochure.

IRS:
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

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS at AUSTIN:
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.

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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
Phone: (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, 2009
If filing 8843 with tax return: April 15, 2009
If required to file ONLY 8843: June 16, 2009

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.

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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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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