International Students and Scholars Office

The first thing to do is to determine your tax filing status. International students could be considered either nonresidents or residents for tax purposes. Most Brandeis international students will be nonresidents for tax purposes, but if you have been in the U.S. for 5 years or more, you may be considered a resident for tax purposes.

If you do not know your tax filing status, Sprintax will help you determine if you are a resident or nonresident for tax purposes. Sprintax is only useful for nonresident tax filers. If by using the Sprintax software, you determine that you are a resident for tax purposes, the ISSO will refund your Sprintax fee.

To prepare to file your tax return you will need to collect all of your tax documents and have your immigration documents available.  If you received U.S. source income you should receive one or more tax documents from your employer and/or the Brandeis Payroll Office indicating the type, source, and amount of income that you received.

You may receive one or more of the following documents:

• Form W-2 - The Form W-2 shows your earned wages and compensation including federal taxable income and withholding, and state taxable income and withholding. The form is usually available by the end of January in Workday if you were employed by Brandeis.  To access it, click on the "Pay" icon and then "My Tax Documents."
• Form 1042-S - The Form 1042-S reports federal taxable income and withholding on stipends, scholarships, or fellowships, and income covered by a tax treaty (if applicable) above the cost of tuition and required fees. This document is usually issued by March 15th. 
• Form 1099 - Issued for miscellaneous income, such as freelance or contract work
• Schedule H-C - issued by your health insurance company to confirm your health insurance coverage (KEEP this form as you may need it if you file a Massachusetts state tax return)

Copies of your tax documents from Brandeis are available to you electronically in Workday. If you cannot access these form(s), please contact the Brandeis Payroll  Office.

Request a Sprintax code by submitting a "Spintax Code Request" in the ISSO Portal.  Sprintax codes cost $4.25 and payment instructions are included in the ISSO Portal request. Once your request is approved, you will receive your unique Sprintax code by email. Do not share your code with anyone!

Email isso@brandeis.edu if you do not have access to the ISSO Portal or are unable to find the Sprintax Code Request.

The Sprintax code will allow you to use Sprintax to prepare your federal income tax return. If you need to file a state income tax return, you can pay an additional amount through Sprintax directly OR you can file your state tax return using a tax resource of your choice.

Get Started with Sprintax

1. Register with Sprintax
2. Use the information on your immigration and tax documents to complete each section.
3. Sprintax will complete the appropriate tax forms required to file your federal tax return with the information you provide. 
4. Enter your Spintax code to receive your discount.
5. Your tax return will be available for download in your online account.

Sprintax has begun to offer electronic filing for tax returns in some cases. However, you may be instructed to print out and mail your completed tax return. If so, be sure to follow the Sprintax instructions carefully. Keep copies of all of your documents for your records.

If you realize there was a mistake with a previously filed tax return, you can complete and file an amended return. Sprintax can assist you with this for a cost. The Sprintax codes offered by the ISSO do not cover amended returns. The NonResident Tax Help Group (NoRTH) can also assist with completing an amended return.

Each state in the U.S. has separate tax regulations. It is your responsibility to be familiar with these regulations. If you worked in multiple states during the previous tax year, you may need to file taxes for each state separately.

Individuals who worked in Massachusetts and earned less than the minimum filing requirement do not have to file a state tax return, However, if any state tax was withheld by the individual's employer, the individual may want to file a state tax return (Form 1-NR) to be refunded for the over withholding.