Tax Guidelines for International Students
Filing tax forms is a yearly event in the U.S. Taxes and immigration status forms are based on the Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 calendar year.
Tax forms are due to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by mid-April of the following year. The IRS will announce the exact due date for each calendar year.
All international students and scholars in F and J visa status who were in the U.S. for any period of time during any calendar year must file a federal tax statement Form 8843. Some international students and scholars will need to file a state tax return(s).
If you did not have any U.S. source income, you may only file Form 8843. If you have U.S. source income, you will file Form 8843 and others based on your resident or non-resident filing status. Failing to file your taxes can violate your visa status.
For those who earned money while working in the U.S., filing a tax form could mean a refund if you overpaid taxes based on withholding from your paycheck.
International Services offers tax workshops in spring semester to help students understand the process.
Find more details about these workshops on the ISSS Facebook page.
Step 1: Determine Your Filing Status
Based on your visa status/type and how long you have been in the U.S., the IRS has guidelines which will determine your tax filing status.
Most international students on F-1 and J-1 visas at WSU are considered non-resident for tax purposes.
Your filing status is for tax purposes only. Being a resident for tax purposes does not mean that you are eligible for any Minnesota state system tuition rates, etc.
Step 2: Determine the right resources for reporting your U.S. federal tax requirements
It is wise to consult a tax adviser to assist with your tax reporting requirements, and there are several in the Winona area.
Forms vary based on income, investments, and other personal details.
If you did not earn any income in the U.S. during the previous calendar year, you still need to file Form 8843 to confirm the number of days that you spent in the U.S. during the previous calendar year.
Simply print off Form 8843, fill it out and mail it to the address included in the instructions.
If you earned any income, it gets more complicated based on any tax treaty that exists between your home country and the United States, any social security tax that might have been withheld and how much you earned.
We suggest using one of the online options to learn more details and file your tax return:
The IRS provides information in several languages.
Step 3: Determine if you need to report your tax information to the State of Minnesota
As noted on the Minnesota Department of Revenue website: “Use the same filing status to file your Minnesota return that you used to file your federal return. Put an X in the oval box for your filing status.”
As with the federal reporting requirements, these may be different based on your situation.
We suggest you consult with a tax professional for assistance.
If you earned income in multiple states, you would need to file taxes in each state.
The M-1 form is the tax form for reporting income tax in the state of Minnesota.
Check the Minnesota Department of Revenue website for guidelines.
You may be able to file your state tax return online.
If you earned income in multiple states, you would need to file taxes in each state.
Are You a Renter in Minnesota
You may receive a M1-PR form from your landlord if you are renting an apartment, house, or townhome.
Search for the current M1PR form at MN State Revenue Forms and Instructions.
Search for Renter’s Property Tax Refund at MN State Revenue Forms and Instructions.
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