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Tax Filing Assistance

Tax Filing Deadline: Monday, April 15, 2013


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 2012 are responsible for
filing a tax report to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 

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 2012. 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. 

Foreign National Tax Resource (FNTR)

In an effort to assist students and scholars with tax concerns, Berkeley International Office is hosting access to Foreign National Tax Resource (FNTR) -- a web-based non-resident alien tax library and tax return preparation software 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 2012. 

FNTR Access

  • FORMER UCB students and scholars:  Email fntrUCBgrads@berkeley.edu with your first name, last name, birth date and SEVIS ID.  If you do not receive your access code within two business days after sending us an email, please contact fntrbiohelp@berkeley.edu.

Caution: Before using FNTR, make sure you have all W-2 or 1042-S forms from institutions where you worked or were awarded honorarium, stipends, or fellowships in 2012.

The FNTR 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 and tax 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 FNTR

The following individuals are eligible to use the FNTR program sponsored by Berkeley International Office:

  • Any F-1, J-1 and other non-immigrant students enrolled at UC Berkeley in 2012
  • F-1 students on Optional Practical Training in 2012
  • J-1 students on Academic Training in 2012
  • Current J-1 and other non-immigrant Visiting Scholars affiliated with UC Berkeley
  • Former non-immigrant Visiting Scholars affiliated with UC Berkeley in 2012
  • F-2, J-2 and other non-immigrant dependents of the above

Caution: Before using FNTR, make sure you have all W-2 or 1042-S forms from institutions where you worked or were awarded honorarium, stipends, or fellowships in 2012.

Workshops and Webinars:  Introduction to FNTR and California Taxes

WORKSHOP: Filing Your California State Taxes
Monday, March 4  |   5-7pm   |  International House Auditorium
Susan Maples, Tax Practitioner Liaison, of the California Tax Franchise Board will present on how to determine your California state tax residency and complete your nonresident alien tax forms. Collect your tax report forms (W-2 and/or 1042-S forms and/or 1099) and follow along as Susan takes you through a step-by- step example for filing your state tax return.

WEBINAR:  Nonresident Taxes - Introduction to FNTR
-Monday, March 4  |  12-1pm  |  Register Online
-Wednesday, March 13  |   12-1pm  |  Register Online
-Wednesday, April 3  |  10-11am  |  Register Online
-Monday, April 8  |   1- 2pm  |  Register Online
-Friday, April 12  |  6-7pm  |  Register Online
Get a first-hand look at the Foreign National Tax Resource (FNTR) library and tax preparation software that will help you find the answers to your nonresident tax questions and complete the appropriate tax forms. Collect your passport, I-20, I-94, W-2 and/or 1042-S and/or 1099 forms and join us for a demonstration on how to maximize your use of FNTR.

WEBINAR: Filing Your California State Taxes (You will need the 540NR booklet for this webinar available at the BIO office or click here to print forms 540NR Long Form and 540NR Schedule CA)
Wednesday, March 20  |   2- 3:30pm   |  Register Online
Susan Maples, Tax Practitioner Liaison, of the California Tax Franchise Board will present on how to determine your California state tax residency and complete your nonresident alien tax forms. Collect your tax report forms (W-2 and/or 1042-S forms and/or 1099) and follow along as Susan takes you through a step-by- step example for filing your state tax return.

Workshop Powerpoint Presentations:

California State Taxes Recorded Presentation (from 4/5/2012)

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 FNTR, 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 either be mailed to you from your sources of U.S. income (such as your employer, bank, etc) or posted in an electronic format in your personal employee account.  For example, if you are a UC Berkeley employee, you may find an electronic copy of your W-2 in your At Your Service account.  If you have a Glacier account, you may find your 1042-S form posted in Glacier.  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, 2013.  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, 2013.
  • Other types of summary documents--  These usually begin 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

Tax Preparation Services for Resident Aliens

Resident Aliens are not eligible for tax treaties and file like U.S. citizens. For federal tax returns, check out the IRS freefile for a variety of free tax software.  For California taxes check out California Franchise Tax Board's free e-file program Calfile to take care of your California state tax returns.  Below you can find other popular tax preparation services.