Important Tax Information for F and J Visa Holders - 2024 Tax Filing Season

Federal Income Tax Return Paperwork

A tax return is a tax form used to report your income, calculate your tax liabilities and reconcile withholding taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Tax liabilities are the amount you owe to the IRS. Tax withholdings are the income tax that was deducted from each paycheck and sent to the IRS over the course of the year. By filing an annual tax return, it allows you to request a refund (if tax withholdings are more than tax liabilities) or remit payment (if tax liabilities is more than tax withholdings).

• The form and instructions can be found on the IRS website. Filing the correct form allows you to report income that is subject to U.S. tax according to your particular situation and claim deductions and credits that apply to you. More detailed information about the correct form to use under different tax statuses can be found here.  Please note that the Form 1040-NR EZ has been discontinued and can no longer be used to file your federal tax return.  
• Before you start filing your tax return, make sure that you have all your tax statements, e.g. 1042-S (if applicable to you), etc.
• The deadline for filing your 2024 federal tax return is April 15, 2025. The mailing address may be different depending on the tax form you are filing, read the form instructions carefully.

State Income Tax Return Paperwork

For Louisiana state tax return information, please visit their website. The Louisiana income tax filing deadline is May 15, 2025.

Form 8843

Form 8843 is an informational statement required by the U.S. government for certain Nonresident Aliens. If you meet both criteria below, you must file Form 8843:

• You were present in the U.S. during 2024 under F, J, M or Q immigration status.    This also includes dependents who were physically in the US in F-2 or J-2 status.
• Your tax residency status is Nonresident Alien.
• If you have NO income and you are filing ONLY Form 8843, you must complete, sign and mail it by April 15, 2025 to: Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service Center - Austin, TX 73301-0215

If You Are a Resident Alien for Tax Purposes and You Have Income to Report or a Tax Refund to Claim:

• You may be eligible for Free File Software from the IRS website; or
• You can purchase widely-available tax filing paperwork, such as Turbo Tax; or
• You can also consult a certified tax accountant who is familiar with resident tax filing.

If You Are a Nonresident Alien for Tax Purposes and You Received Income from TULANE in 2024:

• The International Tax Office has purchased GLACIER Tax Prep (GTP) to assist eligible Nonresident Aliens to prepare their federal tax return forms. You should receive e-mails from support@online-tax.net by January 31, 2025 with information about how to file your taxes through the Glacier Tax Prep system. If you do not receive the email about using Glacier or getting access to Glacier, please e-mail the International Tax Office (ITO): ito@tulane.edu.
• Please note:  tax preparation services like H&R Block, TurboTax, and TaxSlayer are not equipped to support nonresident tax filing.
• You can also consult a certified tax accountant who is familiar with nonresident tax filing.

If You Are a Nonresident Alien for Tax Purposes and You Received Income from OUTSIDE Tulane (CPT, OPT, Academic Training, etc.) in 2024:

• Sprintax can be used to prepare federal and state taxes, and to prepare your required form 8843. For more information click here. 
  • OISS has a limited number of $5 federal tax preparation discount codes from Sprintax; contact oiss@tulane.edu if you would like one.
  • OISS is partnering with Sprintax to present two tax webinars for international Students, Scholars and Professionals this tax season.  See flyers for the upcoming webinars below.  You can also view a previous presentation under Previous Tax Presentations at the bottom of this website.
  • Please note:  tax preparation services like H&R Block, TurboTax, and TaxSlayer are not equipped to support nonresident tax filing.
• You can also consult a certified tax accountant who is familiar with nonresident tax filing.

• VITA Program: The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers tax help for taxpayers who qualify. You can get free tax help by visiting VITA providers’ sites.  BE SURE TO ASK IF THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH NON-RESIDENT TAX FILING.
•  To find one near you, click here.