Understanding U.S. Taxes and Your Responsibilities

Spring 2024 Tax Workshop and Drop-In Session Schedule

The following information is a general introduction to U.S. taxes and available resources. 
UNT does not provide tax advice.

Filing tax documents correctly is your personal responsibility. 
This includes employment forms at UNT.

Violations of U.S. tax law may negatively impact your immigration status.

  • About the U.S. Tax System
    • If you receive U.S. income, you will pay income taxes. Yes! Even international students pay taxes.
      • U.S. income includes wages from employment and some scholarships.
      • Estimated income taxes will be withheld from your paychecks throughout the year. 
    • The U.S. tax system is a pay-as-you-go system.
      • Your employer estimates your annual income taxes and withholds this amount from each of your paychecks throughout the year.
      • When you file your annual U.S. tax forms in April, the exact amount of annual income tax due is calculated. 
        • If too much was withheld from your paychecks throughout the year you will get a refund.
        • If too little was withheld from your paychecks throughout the year you will have a balance due.
    • The tax year runs from January 1 - December 31. Tax forms are due the following year on April 15.
    • It is important to know that F and J visas holders file taxes as nonresident aliens for their first five calendar years in the U.S
  • If you Work on Campus

    You must complete the UNTSystem Foreign National Form at the start of your employment.

    • This form informs the UNTSystem Tax Office of your status as a Foreign National and any tax treaties in your home country.
    • This form informs the UNTSystem Tax Office NOT to withhold FICA (Social Security & Medicaid) from your paychecks.
    • This form will remain on file with the UNT System Tax Office to ensure the correct amount of estimated federal taxes are withheld from your paychecks. 
    • Please send complete UNTSystem Foreign National Forms and related documentation to SYSFN@untsystem.edu.

    You will complete Form W4 in the myUNT employee portal upon hire.

    • When completing form W4:
      • Nonresident Alien tax filers MUST NOT CLAIM EXEMPT on form W4.
      • Nonresident Alien tax filers MUST NOT CLAIM MARRIED (even if you are married.)
      • Nonresident Alien tax filers may ONLY claim SINGLE (1 or 0).

    Please review the information provided by the UNTSystem Tax Office covering Taxes for Internationals.

    You will need to apply for a Social Security Number once you have secured an on-campus job.

    Your employer will provide form W2 by the end of January. This form will be needed for tax filing.

  • Tax Filing Responsibilities
    • F and J visas holders must complete nonresident alien tax forms their first five calendar years in the U.S.
    • Nonresident Alien is a category used for tax filing purposes only. It is not related to your immigration status.
    • Filing taxes in April is YOUR responsibility. 
    • Everyone's tax situation is different. Tax laws change every year. 
  • GLACIER Tax Prep

    UNT International Affairs has contracted with GLACIER Tax Prep (GTP)

    GTP provides U.S. Federal Tax Form assistance to international students filing as nonresident aliens at UNT. 

    • GTP is a web-based program created for international students filing as nonresident aliens.
    • GTP provides step-by-step instructions to prepare nonresident alien tax forms (Form 1040NR and/or Form 8843).
    • GTP includes video tutorials, an FAQ, and nonresident alien tax advisor assistance.

    GLACIER Tax Prep access codes will be sent to your EagleConnect/UNT email address in MID-MARCH. 

    • The access code allows you to utilize GTP at no cost. Access codes are limited. If the access code limit is reached, GTP charges its users a minimal fee.
    • Once your tax forms are completed, you will print the documents and mail (with payment if taxes are due) to the IRS by April 15.
    • Documents may be mailed from Eagle Post on the first floor of the UNT Union. Be sure to include postage.

    GTP is for international students on F & J visas filing as nonresident aliens for their first 5 calendar years in the U.S..

    GTP includes a substantial presence test to determine your tax filing status (nonresident alien or resident alien.) These alien categories are for tax filing purposes only. They are not related to your immigration status. International students on F & J visas are exempt from the substantial presence test their first five calendar years in the U.S..

    • If it is determined that you are a nonresident alien, you will continue with GTP to prepare your tax forms.
    • F & J students in good visa status are exempt from the substantial presence test for 5 years. This is why most international students at UNT file as nonresident aliens.
    • Nonresident aliens tax filers CANNOT file online. Documents must be printed and mailed to the IRS.
    • If it is determined that you are a resident alien, you may file electronically using TurboTax or similar. 

    About Glacier Tax Prep

    • All information entered in GTP is encrypted and secured via SSL technology.
    • GTP will NOT use your email address for any purpose other than to contact you if an error has occurred with your tax form preparation.
    • Save your GTP user ID and password. This information is required to access the site at a later date, or in the case of a dropped internet connection.
    • If you used GTP in a previous year, your GTP user ID and password should work. If you cannot login, follow the prompts on the screen to recover your account.
  • Tax Forms and Required Documentation
      • Foreign National Form - Provides guidance the UNTSystem tax office on how to estimate your income taxes
      • Form W4 - Completed upon hire for your employer. Nonresident aliens can ONLY claim SINGLE.
      • Form W-2 - Shows income from wages and taxes paid - Provided by your employer 
      • Form 1042-S - Only given to nonresident alien students who have received scholarship money in excess of tuition 
        • You will not receive Form 1042-S for a tuition waiver. Form 1042-S is only for taxable scholarships in excess of tuition.
        • Form 1042-S is mailed by the UNTSystem Tax Office to your mailing address on file.
      • Form 1099 - Shows income from miscellaneous work - Only received if applicable- For example, working as an independent contractor on CPT.
      • Form 1040NR - All nonresident aliens must complete, print, sign and mail to the IRS in Austin if you received U.S. Income - File with GTP as nonresident alien.
      • Form 8843 - Informational Form - All nonresident aliens must complete, print, sign and mail to the IRS in Austin - File with GTP or on your own.
      • Form 1098T - Nonresident alien tax filers DO NOT use form 1098T even if the form is prepared for you by UNT. Nonresident alien tax filers are not eligible to receive this tax credit.
    • Additional Tax Filing Options
      • United Way VITA Program. Call ahead to request assistance for nonresident alien tax filing. This service is free. 
      • If you need to file state income taxes from another state (Texas does not have state income taxes) Sprintax is an option. Sprintax is similar to Glacier Tax Prep and provides tax form preparation assistance for nonresident alien tax filing.
      • Local tax professionals and tax accountants can assist with taxes. Fees vary.

      Questions? Contact Us!

Please know that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will never contact you by email or text message. If you are contacted by the IRS and are unsure if it is a real request or not, please contact International Student and Scholar Services as soon as possible.