For more information, see also: -Taxes in the U.S. |
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Who Must File a Tax Return?
All non-immigrant international students and scholars who were present in the U.S. during any part of the calendar year 2008 are responsible for filing a tax report to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by Tuesday, April 15, 2009.
Filing a tax report is required (usually referred to as filing a 'tax return') whether or not you worked in the U.S., gained income in the U.S., or received a scholarship in 2008. The good news is that if you earned income in the U.S., you may be eligible for a tax refund if you overpaid or a complete reimbursement based on tax treaties.
Finding resources to help you file your tax return can be complicated. Unless a person has received training from the IRS to give tax advice, it is against the law to do so. Berkeley International Office is thus not allowed to advise on tax matters.
CINTAX: Complete International Tax Preparation
In an effort to assist students and scholars with tax concerns, Berkeley International Office is hosting access to CINTAX -- a web-based tax return preparation system designed exclusively for international students, scholars, teachers, researchers, trainees and their dependents who had non-resident status in the U.S. in the calendar year 2008.
The CINTAX program:
- helps you finish your tax return in about 20 minutes
- guides you step-by-step in completing your tax return
- determines the correct tax forms you need to fill out
- allows you to complete your tax return from abroad if necessary
- addresses fellowships and tax treaties
- instructs you in printing and mailing tax forms to the IRS
- offers toll-free technical support
- helps you apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) if necessary
- is available at NO COST to eligible students and scholars
Eligibility for CINTAX
The following individuals are eligible to use the CINTAX program sponsored by Berkeley International Office:
- Any F-1, J-1 and other non-immigrant students enrolled at UC Berkeley in 2008
- F-1 students on Optional Practical Training in 2008
- J-1 students on Academic Training in 2008
- Current J-1 and other non-immigrant Visiting Scholars affiliated with UC Berkeley
- Former non-immigrant Visiting Scholars affiliated with UC Berkeley in 2008
- F-2, J-2 and other non-immigrant dependents of the above
How to Access CINTAX
There are two ways to access CINTAX:
- If you have already created a GLACIER account, you can access CINTAX through GLACIER. The GLACIER administrator will email you with instructions once the University produces the 1042-S tax form in March. By accessing CINTAX through GLACIER, all of the information you already inputted into GLACIER to determine your tax status will be automatically transferred.
- If you do not have a GLACIER account, you must request a login from Berkeley International Office. We will respond to your email with a unique log in. To avoid identity theft and protect your personal information, do not share this log in or leave it in public.
- Send an email to cintax@berkeley.edu
- In the subject line, enter CINTAX Access Code Request
- If you are a STUDENT, request the Access Code in the email and include your name and student ID number.
- If you are a VISITING SCHOLAR, request the Access Code in the email and include your name and sevis ID number (upper right corner of your DS-2019).
- If you are an H1B or TN VISA HOLDER, request an Access Code in the email and include your name and on campus employer.
- If you are a F-2 or J-2 DEPENDENT, request the Access Code in the email and include your name, sevis ID number, and the name of your F-1 or J-1 spouse.
Caution: Before using CINTAX, make sure you have all W-2 or 1042-S forms from institutions where you worked or were awarded honorarium, stipends, or fellowships in 2008.
Workshop: Introduction to CINTAX (optional)
March 16, from 1-3 pm
March 30, from 10 am to 12 pm
International House
Berkeley International Office will present optional introductory workshops in to help you learn about the CINTAX program. The workshop will also feature a speaker from the Caifornia Franchise Tax Board who will go over California taxes in detail. These meetings are NOT intended to help you fill out your federal tax forms or to give individual tax advice. The workshop will cover the following topics:
- General overview of the U.S. tax system: its function, basic terminology and timelines
- Presentation of the CINTAX interface: what it looks like and what to expect
- Directions on how to get your CINTAX password (see How to Access Cintax, above)
Preparing for Tax Filing
Although the U.S. tax filing process may seem somewhat complex, it will be relatively simple for most international students and scholars
To get started, it is recommended that you read the IRS Publication 519 entitled, The U.S.Tax Guide for Aliens. This is not required reading for tax filing or for using CINTAX, but it will help you to become familiar with some of the terminology and concepts related to your tax responsibility.
Documents You Will Need
When completing your tax return, you will need to have certain forms as listed below. These forms will be mailed to you from your sources of U.S. income (such as your employer, bank, etc). These forms should be attached to your tax return when you mail it to the Internal Revenue Service:
- W-2 form--Persons receiving wages during any calendar year should receive a year-end report (called the W-2 form) from their employer no later than February 1, 2008. The W-2 form summarizes the total amount of wages earned during the year and the amount of money withheld for any taxes (federal, state and local).
- 1042-S--Those receiving taxable/reportable scholarship income should receive a Form 1042-S from their scholarship provider no later than March 15, 2008.
- Other types of summary documents-- These usually beginning with "1099" and are issued for other types of taxable income.
Students should update their address on Bear Facts to reflect the most current information to receive these important tax forms.
Visiting scholars should make certain their departments have the most recent address on file.
Tax Filing Resources
- Internal Revenue Service
(800) 829-1040 - California Franchise Tax Board
(800) 852-5711 - University of Texas at Austin Guide for Nonresident Aliens
On Campus Tax Assistance
The ASUC Legal Clinic will offer tax assistance on an appointment basis to students and scholars. Contact the ASCU Legal Clinic to set up an appointment by calling (510)-642-9986 or emailing them at asuclegalclinic@gmail.com
Tax Preparation Services for Resident Aliens -
Resident Aliens are not eligible for tax treaties and file like U.S. citizens
TurboTax (software)
H&R Block
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Tax Workshop Power Point
How to Fill Out Your California Non-resident Tax Forms (2006)
California Non-resident Tax Regulations