Tax Information
Each year, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that all workers file a tax return due on April 15 of the following year. As a nonresident alien, you are also required to file a tax return, which is sometimes called Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR-EZ.
The Ohio State University uses a secure online international tax compliance software called Sprintax Calculus. Sprintax Calculus captures the information required to determine the actual tax status of an international person. All international persons who are not U.S. residents and who are receiving payments from Ohio State are required to have a Sprintax profile. Therefore, a Sprintax profile is required even if an international employee, student, scholar or visitor meets the definition of a Resident Alien for Tax Purposes.
Sprintax Calculus
As a foreign national, you may already know how daunting understanding your tax obligations can be. That’s why the university has provided you with a program called Sprintax Calculus. Sprintax Calculus is a web-based computer program that provides a “beginning to end” tax compliance solution. Once the university determines that you are a nonresident alien, you will receive an activation email to your osu.edu email address directing you to the Sprintax Calculus website. After asking a few simple questions, the Sprintax Calculus program will determine your taxation and prepare your tax return. Once you complete the preparation process in the Sprintax software, you must print, sign and mail your documents to the IRS. Some individuals may have an opportunity to e-file their federal tax return.
For detailed information regarding Nonresident Alien Taxation and Sprintax Calculus, visit the Office of Business and Finance Nonresident Alien Taxation web page or contact the Tax Office at tax@osu.edu. If you have not received your username and password for Sprintax Calculus, please submit a request with your formal first and last name, your OSU ID# and your email address to HR Connection. The Office of International Affairs is not able to assist with tax-related questions.
Completing your tax return
To complete your tax return, you will need some basic information about your employer and detailed information about how much income you earned over the past year. As a nonresident alien, you will receive this information through Form 1042-S; U.S. citizens receive this information through Form W-2.
Ohio State is required to furnish your yearly 1042-S by March 15 of the following year. You may elect to receive your 1042-S online through Sprintax. Otherwise, you will receive a copy of Form 1042-S by U.S. mail.
Some nonresident aliens may receive both a W-2 and a 1042-S. If this applies to you, then you may refer to W-2 Online for instructions on how you can access your W-2 through the ePayroll system.
Form 8843 is required for nonresident aliens who are present in the United States under an F, J, M or Q immigration status regardless of whether or not you have received any income.
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) information
An ITIN number is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), not the Social Security Administration. The IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but do not have and are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number from the Social Security Administration. ITINs are for federal tax reporting purposes only. To learn more about ITIN numbers, please visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You may also call the IRS at +1 215-516-2000 (at the prompt, press two then four for questions about obtaining an ITIN).
To apply for an ITIN number, please contact iss@osu.edu for further instructions.
Tax season assistance
Sprintax is hosting free educational tax webinars that will be available to nonresidents prior to and during the U.S. tax filing season. You may register for a session that works well for you.
- February 5 at 1 p.m. ET – Register
- February 10 at 7 p.m. ET – Register
- February 18 at 3 p.m. ET – Register
- February 24 at 10 a.m. ET – Register
- March 5 at 12 p.m. ET – Register
- March 11 at 1 p.m. ET – Register
- March 16 at 2 p.m. ET – Register
- March 27 at 11 a.m. ET – Register
- April 1 at 1 p.m. ET – Register
- April 7 at 8 a.m. ET – Register
- April 14 at 2 p.m. ET – Register
Sprintax blogpost
International students and scholars may want to refer to the Sprintax blogpost, which provides additional information about how to file state tax returns.
Disclaimer: This is general information designed to assist nonresident aliens with questions about their tax status, tax return filing and the use of the Sprintax Calculus system while they are present at The Ohio State University. The information herein is not to be relied upon to determine your tax, your tax status or to file your tax return. Employees at Ohio State are not trained to assist with tax matters. It is suggested you consult with a tax professional to assist you.