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Tax Preparation for International Students

IMPORTANT: ISO cannot provide tax advice or assist you with tax filing. Please review the resources below or contact a qualified tax professional who specializes in “non-resident taxes.”


An Introduction to Tax Preparation & Filing in the US

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the US government agency responsible for collecting taxes. Understanding and filing taxes can be challenging, even for US residents, who generally rely on the work of tax specialists or use tax-preparation software to prepare their tax forms.

We provide access to Sprintax, a tool for international students to prepare U.S. tax documents. All international students must file tax forms each year, even without income. Most tax software (like TurboTax) is for US residents - if not using Sprintax, be sure your software or tax professional specializes in non-resident filings and considers tax treaties. Using the wrong system may lead claiming tax credits that you do not qualify for - this may lead to severe immigration problems later in life. 


Spring 2026 Tax Resources

  • Sprintax Software Access:
    • Current international students and OPT students can use Sprintax. All students can file Form 8843 through the system (or on your own). If you worked in the US in 2025, you must file federal and possibly state taxes. Earned income? Use our $5 discount code for federal filing (see below).
  • LIVE Sprintax Tax Preparation Webinars
    • You can watch a recorded Sprintax session here. Live webinars are highly recommended for all students so that you may ask questions. Register at links below to receive access (coming soon):
  • Sprintax Videos & Links - Check out helpful videos online on Sprintax's Video hub. Download Sprintax's webinar handout for links to other great tax resources and information.

GCC ISO offers Sprintax Non-Resident Tax Preparation to help international students on F, J, M, or Q visas with tax preparation and IRS compliance.

Sprintax may not be suitable for a small number of our international students who have been in the United States for longer than 5 years. All international students can log-on to Sprintax to determine eligibility.  

Eligible users can get $5 off the regular federal filing fee with our discount code. See instructions in the section below.

Using Sprintax is easy! See the general overview of how to use Sprintax or watch this introductory video.

Create or log in to your Sprintax account at sprintax.com/glendale. Sprintax will guide you through questions to generate the correct forms and check if you’re eligible to use the software. If you need any help, contact Sprintax directly - ISO staff cannot assist with third party software.

You may also complete Form 8843 on your own—use the IRS link in the helpful links section below.

 

A note on State Taxes: If you earned income in the US in 2025, Sprintax will let you know if you need to file state taxes. You can choose to pay Sprintax to file them. Note: The discount code only applies to federal tax filing costs.

 

A note on the “Credit Card” payment to Sprintax: For students with a discount code to file Federal Taxes, there will be a field to enter the Sprintax Access Code. This will reduce the filing cost by $5.

All GCC international students may access Sprintax for the following:

  • Determine your “residency for tax purposes”
  • Non-resident federal tax preparation
  • Built-in knowledge of over 350 different types of tax deductions
  • 65 international tax treaty agreements and exemptions covered
  • Maximum legal tax refunds for federal, state & medicare (*Please see note regarding state taxes below).
  • US tax compliance guaranteed

Students who earned income in 2025: You may use our discount code to receive $5 off your federal tax filing. 

Students who did NOT earn income in 2025: If you did not earn income in 2025, you only need to file Form 8843. You may prepare Tax Form 8843 on your own if you wish. You will find a link to the IRS page in the helpful links section below. 

State Tax Preparation: Sprintax can also conduct non-resident state tax preparation, for an additional fee. The majority of GCC international students will not have to file state taxes.  Please use Sprintax to determine your State Tax Filing responsibility.

ITIN Application Information: For students who are not eligible for a Social Security Number, Sprintax can help prepare the ITIN application, for an additional fee.

GCC ISO offers Sprintax access for current students and students on OPT. To get $5 off federal filing, submit the Discount Request Form by Sunday, April 5, 2026. No codes will be issued after this date.

The discount code does not apply to state tax filing. If needed, you can choose to pay Sprintax an additional fee to file state taxes.

If you did not earn income in 2025, you only need to file the Form 8843 by accessing Sprintax. You may prepare Tax Form 8843 on your own if you wish (without using Sprintax). You will find a link to the IRS page in the helpful links section below. 

Sprintax provides extensive, easy to access support* in the following ways:

  • Live Chat - you must first use "Stacy," the virtual agent. You will be connected to a live representative if your question is unable to be answered by "Stacy."
  • FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions page, addressing Sprintax questions, as well as general tax questions)
  • Sprintax Blog - searchable by keyword

*It's much easier to reach Sprintax early in tax season, before things get busy near Tax Day. You must use the automated system first - if Stacy does not contain your answer, you can connect with a live customer service representative. We recommend preparing your taxes as soon as you are able.

This list covers the most commonly needed documents. Additional documents may be needed based on your situation.

  • Passport
  • US Entry and Exit Dates for current and all past visits to the US; access your I-94 travel history online
  • All tax forms (if you received any), including Forms W-2, 1042-S and/or 1099
    • Note: if you worked at GCC, you may contact the Student Employment Services office for any questions about the issuance of your W-2. 
  • Visa/Immigration Status information, including Form DS-2019 (for J visa holders) or Form I-20 (for F visa holders)
  • Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
  • If you do not have an ITIN, Sprintax can help you get one!
  • If you are using Sprintax for State Tax Returns(s) preparation only, you will need a copy of your already-prepared Federal Tax Return (for the current and previous years, if you filed any)
  • Please note that you do not need Form 1098-T, unless you received a scholarship that provided more money than your tuition costs. This is called a taxable scholarship. If you believe you qualify for one, and do not receive your form by the end of February, you may direct any questions to the Tuition Office. ISO has no part in this process and cannot tell you if you should have been issued a form or not. 

If Sprintax determines that you are to be classified as a “resident-for-tax-purposes”, and therefore ineligible to use Sprintax, you may consider the following options:

Please note: Only use the options in this section if Sprintax determines that you are a “resident-for-tax-purposes.” Using the options listed in this section as a non-resident may not take your international student status into account, and may incorrectly calculate your tax liability.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – International Tax Payer Page

The Internal Revenue Services (IRS) Tax Form 8843 page 

Sprintax Non-Resident Tax Preparation Software (for all students)

Sprintax Frequently Asked Questions – International Student Taxes

California State Taxes – Filing Information

Please remember, ISO staff cannot answer ANY tax preparation questions. Please attend a Sprintax webinar and contact Sprintax and/or a tax professional with any questions.