INFORMATION ON FILING TAXES

The Deadline for Filing most Tax Returns* is April 17th**
The tax year you are reporting on is for the previous calendar year (January 1 - December 31.)

*When the phrase "tax return" or "return" is used, it is referring to the actual tax return (1040NR, 1040NR EZ) and accompanying forms (Form 8843).

**Generally the deadline for filing most tax returns is April 15 of every year (for income from the previous year). However, this year April 15 is a Sunday, and therefore, the tax deadline has been extended to April 17, 2012.

General Information

Find out if you are required to file a tax return.

Check out our FAQ, which has answers to frequently asked tax questions.

Beware of scams! Remember that the IRS will NEVER contact you via email. Any communication from someone who claims to be the IRS should not be opened, as it likely contains some sort of virus or malware. NEVER provide your SSN/ITIN to anyone via an email. See our Avoiding Scams tipsheet for more information.

Before you get started, we encourage you to read about the Ten Common Tax Return Errors Foreign Nationals Should Avoid to ensure you don't run into problems.

What End-of-year Documents Might I Receive From WU and When?

W-2 forms will be mailed mid to late January and Forms 1042-S will be mailed mid to late February. If you have questions about your 1042-S or your W-2, and your employer was Washington University, contact the Washington University Payroll Office as listed below:

Form	Purpose of Form	When To Expect	Who To Call With Questions
W-2	For taxable income not covered by a tax treaty	First week of February	WU Payroll Office joyce.wiseman@wustl.edu
1042S	For tuition covered under a tax treaty	Mid to late February	WU Payroll Office joyce.wiseman@wustl.edu
1042S	Issued for employment income covered under a tax treaty	Mid to late February	WU Payroll Office joyce.wiseman@wustl.edu
1042S	Issued for all non-resident aliens receiving a stipend payment	Mid to late February	WU Payroll Office joyce.wiseman@wustl.edu

If your employer was not Washington University and you have questions about your forms, you should contact your employer.

What Forms Do I Need to File?

If you are a non-resident alien and did not have any income in the last calendar year (Jan. 1-Dec. 31) you may still need to file Form 8843. Click here for more information.

Please note that the GLACIER Tax Prep* program may be used for completing Form 8843 for eligible individuals. See the GLACIER Tax Prep information under "Free Assitance" below for more details.

If you did have income last year, see the following information.

Is There Anyone Who Can Help Me?

Neither Washington University nor the OISS are able to provide assistance or advice regarding filing taxes. Because of this, we have put together the following information to assist in your filing. Resources range from Web addresses where you can download tax forms to programs and services which are available to help you file your returns. These services may be free or for a fee.

To download a printable version of the following information, click here.

Free Assistance

1. Tax Assistance with GLACIER Tax Prep, formerly known as CINTAX (Non-resident returns only)
   
   GLACIER Tax Prep is a web-based tax return preparation system designed exclusively for foreign students, scholars, teachers, researchers, trainees, and their dependents who are nonresident aliens. Some features of GLACIER Tax Prep include:
   • Verifying each type of payment for any applicable income tax treaty exemptions
   • Completing the correct U.S. income tax return - either Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR-EZ.
   • Preparing any additional statements or attachments, as applicable - Form 2106, Form 8843, Schedule C, and/or Scholarship/Fellowship Grant statement.
   • Printing the tax return and all attachments (please note, the IRS does not allow nonresident aliens to file a tax return electronically)
   Note that GLACIER Tax Prep is only available for federal returns. State returns must be filed using another method.
   
   WU makes this program available at no cost to you. The program will be accessible by the end of February, and an e-mail with instructions and an access code password will be sent at that time. If you do not receive an access code by the end of February, please let us know. Please do not contact us requesting an access code before February 20, as they will not be available.
   
   Please also note that this program is only available to WU sponsored students and scholars.



2. When you are unable to use GLACIER Tax Prep to file your taxes (Resident returns only)
   
   If you have attempted to use GLACIER Tax Prep and the program says you are a "Resident Alien for Tax Purposes", then you cannot use GLACIER Tax Prep to complete your tax return. However, free assistance with Resident returns is available at some local libraries in the area. No appointment is needed, and people are helped on a first come, first serve basis.
   
   
   • Schlafly Branch - St. Louis City Public Library
     Saturdays between February 5 and April 10, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
     225 North Euclid
     St. Louis, MO 63108
     www.umsl.edu/~vita
   
   
   
   • To find a county library that offers this service, click here.



3. Internal Revenue Websites and Phone Numbers (for help with Non-resident or Resident returns):
   
   • Main site www.irs.gov
   
   
   
   • Help available www.irs.gov/help/index.html
   
   
   
   • Frequently asked Tax questions www.irs.gov/faqs/index.html
   
   
   
   • National Hotline (800) 829-1040
   
   
   
   • For assistance with your income tax return by Internal Revenue Service employees: 1222 Spruce Street
     St. Louis, MO 63103
     Phone: (314) 612-4002
   
   
4. Missouri Department of Revenue Websites and Phone numbers:
   
   • Main site dor.mo.gov/tax
   
   
   
   • Frequently Asked Questions dor.mo.gov/faq/personal/
   
   
   
   • Free preparation of your Missouri individual income tax return by Department of Revenue employees:
     3256 Laclede Station Rd., Ste 101
     Maplewood, MO 63143
     Phone: (314) 877-0177
     

For a Price: Hire an Accountant who understands International Taxation

• Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants



• Missouri Society of Accountants



• National Association of Enrolled Agents

The staff of the Office for International Students and Scholars is not trained in tax laws and CANNOT give tax advice or assist with the filing of your return and does not endorse any listed services.
We are providing this information to you to help you meet the requirement of filing the tax return.