This Guide will help you to:

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

Filing federal income tax forms is the personal responsibility of each international student and scholar. Staff members of the International Office have been trained as IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers and they are willing to provide assistance through seminars and scheduled appointments. They have also designed this Guide as a service to help international students and scholars meet their obligations concerning the filing of federal income tax forms. Please be aware that each student/scholar is ultimately responsible for the accuracy of his/her income tax returns and any resulting penalties or interest.

Although the information contained in this web site has been reviewed by representatives of the Internal Revenue Service and should be adequate to assist most international students and scholars, it is not a substitute for advice obtained from the Internal Revenue Service or a qualified tax professional. If your visa status has changed in the past year, or you believe you have complicated tax issues, please consult the Internal Revenue Service or a qualified tax professional.