Federal Tax Filing Deadline
For the 2012 calendar year, U.S. Federal Tax forms must be post-marked no later than 4/15/13.
MA State Tax Filing Deadline
For the 2012 calendar year, Massachusetts State Tax forms must be post-marked no later than 4/15/13.
Tax FAQs
I did not work during the 2012 calendar year—do I still need to file a federal tax return?
YES; ALL international students and scholars who were physically present in the U.S. for one or more days during the 2011 calendar year (January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012) are required by law to file a U.S. Federal Income Tax Return to substantiate their non-residency status, regardless if you earned any U.S.-source income.
Can I e-file my Federal Income Tax Return?
NO; Non-resident aliens cannot e-file their Federal Tax Returns, BUT they can e-file their State Tax Returns, if necessary.
This is my first time filing taxes and I do not understand! What are taxes all about?
Please visit the main ISSO Tax page. The general overview is that the tax deadline is usually April 15th each year. Qualified scholarship amounts, such as tuition, fees and books, are not subject to federal and state income taxes. Teaching/research assistantships are taxable. The room and board portion of your Brandeis scholarship is considered taxable income unless it is exempt by a tax treaty between your country and the United States. Taxes are computed on a calendar-year basis (January 1 to December 31).
Every January your employer (including Brandeis University) will give you a W-2 form, which states all the money you have earned in the past year. In March you may receive a 1042-S form, which states the taxable portion of stipend or fellowship income (it will not include tuition scholarship amounts as these are exempt from tax). Generally, the income tax rate for non-residents (for tax purposes) is approximately 30%, unless you are eligible for a tax treaty which lessens your tax burden. Information on tax treaty eligibility is available online with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (www.irs.gov); please refer to Publication 519 “U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens” and Publication 901 “U.S. Tax Treaties” .
I can’t find the mailing address for the 8843 form. Where do I send it?
The mailing address is listed on page 4 of the Form 8843 under “When and Where to File”.
Can the ISSO file my tax return for me?
NO; It is the individual’s responsibility to report income and pay taxes. ISSO staff are neither tax preparers nor accountants, therefore we are not legally able to give tax advice. However, we provide you with resources to assist you in completing your income tax filing requirements.
Do I have to file Massachusetts Income taxes?
If your gross income for the 2012 calendar year was more than $8,000 — whether received from sources inside or outside of Massachusetts, you will be required to file Massachusetts income taxes. Please note that if you resided in another state during the 2010 calendar year, you must check with that state to determine the income tax filing requirements.
NOTE: State income taxes should NOT be mailed with your Federal tax forms. Each state will have its own separate filing location. Check the state income tax form instructions for mailing address.
Does the ISSO provide tax filing software?
YES; We have purchased Windstar Foreign National Tax Resource (FNTR) software which helps international students and scholars file their Non-Resident Federal U.S. Income Tax Return Form and Massachusetts State Income Tax Return Form. If you would like to purchase Windstar, please bring $5 (cash only please) to the ISSO on a to-be-determined date and receive an access code that allows you to access Windstar software.
NOTE: Please note that Windstar FNTR Software will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-serve basis only.
I’m currently living outside of the U.S. Do I have to file taxes if I was in the U.S. in 2012?
YES; ALL international students and scholars who were physically present in the U.S. for one or more days during the 2012 calendar year (January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012) are required by law to file a U.S. Federal Income Tax Return to substantiate their non-residency status, regardless if you earned any U.S.-sourced income. If you are currently living abroad, you can download the appropriate tax forms online and mail them to the appropriate filing locations.
If you are interested in purchasing a Windstar Foreign National Tax Resource license, please email isso@brandeis.edu.
How do I get a refund of social security tax or medicare taxes withheld in error?
If you are in F-1 (student) status or J-1 Exchange Visitor (student, research scholar, short-term scholar, student intern, or professor categories), and eligible to file as a non-resident in your federal tax return, and had Social Security or Medicare Tax withheld in error, please see the link below for filing a request to refund those taxes withheld in error:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/