Tax Filing

Due to the complex nature of U.S. tax laws, only authorized tax preparation professionals are eligible to advise on your specific individual tax return. Princeton University staff members, including those of the Davis International Center, Global Financial Services, or the Financial Service Center, are not tax professionals and cannot advise you on the details of how to complete your individual tax forms.

Please make copies of everything to keep in your records before mailing the original forms.

Tax Deadline - Income tax forms must be postmarked to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) no later than April 18, 2022.                                  

About Sprintax

Sprintax is a tax software program purchased by Princeton University to assist international students and scholars with nonresident tax filing responsibilities. As you answer the questions in Sprintax, the program prepares your appropriate federal tax filing forms for you. 

Complete Sprintax

Princeton University offers Sprintax, a free tax filing software for international students and scholars to make your tax filing obligations easier.

I Received Taxable Income

Collect Applicable Tax Documents

You may receive one or more of the following tax forms. Note: Not all international students and scholars will receive all of these documents, as the forms are based on the type of income you received in 2021.

• W-2 Wage and Tax Statement: This form reports U.S. federal or state wages and taxes. You will receive a Form W-2 only if you received wages that were subject to federal or state taxes. MAILED ON JANUARY 31, 2022
• Form 1042-S: This form reports scholarships/fellowships, prizes, royalties, and self-employment income paid to a nonresident student, scholar, or guest. It also reports wages paid to a nonresident who is exempt from U.S. tax under a tax treaty. TO BE MAILED ON FEBRUARY 18, 2022
• Form 1095-B or 1095-C: This form is required for all benefits-eligible employees and students as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) laws. MAILED ON JANUARY 31, 2022

Gather your Immigration Documents

• Passport and I-94 arrival document (electronic I-94 printout available here OR white card I-94 in passport, if applicable)
• Form I-20 (for F visa holders)
• Form DS-2019 (for J visa holders)

Ensure you have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

• Social Security Number (SSN): If you have earned employment income/wages, you are required to have an SSN before filing your taxes. If you do not have an SSN, please apply for an SSN as soon as possible. Instructions to apply for an SSN are located on the Davis International Center website.
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN): If you have not received employment income/wages, but have received other income such as scholarships/fellowships, prizes or royalties, you are required to have an ITIN to file your taxes. If you do not currently have an ITIN, you can apply for an ITIN at the same time of submitting your tax return.  Instructions to apply for an ITIN are located on the Davis International Center website.

Gather your Address and U.S. Residency Information

• Address Information: You will need your current U.S. address (if you are still living in the U.S.) and your permanent foreign address.
• U.S. Entry & Exit Dates: Collect all entry and exit dates for all prior visits to the U.S. and your visa type during those prior visits.

Set up your Sprintax Account

Princeton University has arranged access to Sprintax for you. The access code for Sprintax will be distributed by Global Finance on February 18, 2022.

If you have not received the Sprintax Access Code after February 18, 2022, please email Global Finance.

I Did Not Receive Taxable Income

Any individual in F, J, M, or Q visa status will need to complete and mail a Form 8843, Statement for Exempt Individuals and Individuals with a Medical Condition. Complete Form 8843 by using Sprintax. Sprintax will also advise you on where to mail this form.   

Gather your Address and U.S. Residency Information

• Address Information: You will need your current U.S. address (if you are still living in the U.S.) and your permanent foreign address.
• U.S. Entry & Exit Dates: Collect all entry and exit dates for all prior visits to the U.S. and your visa type during those prior visits.

Completing Form 8843 in Sprintax

• Complete your contact information
• Complete your residency information
• Indicate that you are not receiving any income in 2019
• Please also complete a form 8843 for any dependents also in F, J, M, or Q status

Print, Sign, and Mail Tax Forms

After you have answered all of the questions in Sprintax and indicated that you did not earn income, the software program will prepare Form(s) 8843 for you.

• Please make photocopies of all tax forms.
• Sprintax will provide complete instructions on how and where to mail your tax forms.

Determine your Residency Status

• Sprintax is available only to nonresidents for tax purposes. To determine if you are a nonresident, Sprintax will require you to enter your entry and exit dates to the United States to determine your residency status. 

1. If Sprintax determines that you are a nonresident for tax purposes, please continue in the program.
2. If Sprintax determines that you are a resident for tax purposes, please see Residents for Tax Purposes for next steps.

Add your Income Based on your Tax Forms

• Follow the steps to add information provided on any tax forms, such as W-2’s, 1042-S’s, et al.

Add your "Academic Institution" Information

• Name and Title of Academic Advisor from the Davis International Center who is listed on your DS-2019 or I-20.
• Contact Information:

1. Telephone Number: 609-258-5006
2. Academic Institution Address: Princeton University, Davis International Center, Louis A. Simpson International Bldg. A45, Princeton, NJ 08544

Print, Sign, and Mail Tax Forms

After you have answered all of the questions in Sprintax, the software program will prepare the appropriate federal tax forms for your situation.  

• Print the forms, sign them, and attach your relevant tax documents, such as: W-2, 1042-S, or 1099 (depending on your situation).  
• Sprintax will give you complete instructions on how and where to mail your tax forms. 

I do not have an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN)

Sprintax will create a Form W-7 Application for an IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number along with your other tax filing forms.

You will need to apply in-person for an ITIN at the IRS Tax Office in Trenton, NJ. For additional details and instructions about applying for an ITIN, visit the Davis International Center website.  

Important Tax Notes

Although the deadline to file taxes is April 18, Sprintax will be available for you to use until December. 

• If you file a late return (after April 18) and you are due a refund, you will not have late filing penalties. 
• If you file a late return and you owe taxes, you will have late filing penalties based on the amount of tax that is due.
• You may file an extension by using Form 4868 located on the Internal Revenue Service website. Forms 4868 and 1040NR instructions will provide guidance on what to do if you owe taxes.  

Related Resources

To learn more about Nonresident Tax policies and procedures, please visit the Global Financial Services website.