Who must file tax forms for the 2025 tax season?
If you were physically in the U.S. in F or J status anytime between January 1- December 31, 2025, you are obligated to send one form, Form 8843, to the U.S. tax agency IRS (Internal Revenue Service), even if you had no income. For the 2025 tax season, if you earn over $0 of US source income, you may need to file a federal tax return with the IRS. Depending on your individual circumstances, you may also need to file a state tax return(s).
I thought already paid taxes on my Tulane payments. Do I still have to file a tax return?
YES! Even if taxes were already withheld from your Tulane payments, you are still be required to file a U.S. tax return. Filing allows the IRS to confirm that the correct amount of tax was withheld and may result in a refund. In addition, all nonresident aliens for tax purposes who were present in the U.S. during the tax year must file Form 8843, even if they had no income.
What is the Tax Filing Deadline?
The deadline for residents and non-residents who earn U.S. income to file Federal tax returns for 2024 is April 15, 2026. The deadline for Louisiana state tax returns is May 15, 2026. The deadline for submitting Form 8843 with other tax returns is also April 15, 2026. If you are submitting only Form 8843, the deadline is now April 15, 2026.
I left the U.S. already. Do I still have to file?
Yes. If you were present in the U.S. at any time during the tax year and are required to file, you must still submit your tax forms even if you have already departed the U.S.
Am I a Resident or Nonresident for Federal Tax Purposes?
Generally, most international students & scholars who are on F, J, M or Q visas are considered non-residents for tax purposes. International undergraduate students on J-1 & F-1 visas are automatically considered non-residents for their first 5 calendar years in the US, while Scholars/Researchers on J visas are automatically considered non-residents for 2 out of the last 6 calendar years in the US. If you’ve been in the US for longer than the 5 or 2 year periods, the Substantial Presence Test will determine your tax residency.
What if I received income from Tulane University only during the 2025 tax season and am a Nonresident Alien for Tax Purposes?
- 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, 2026 with information about how to file your taxes through the Glacier Tax Prep system (GTP). If you did 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 consult the Tulane VITA clinic for assistance with filing federal and state taxes. Please look under "Other Available Resources" above for more information.
You can also consult a certified tax accountant who is familiar with nonresident tax filing.
What if I am a nonresident alien for tax purposes and received income from OUTSIDE Tulane (CPT, OPT, Academic Training, etc.) in 2025?
- You can contact the Tulane VITA clinic for free assistance with filing federal and state taxes. Please look under "Other available resources" below for more information.
- 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.
Please note: tax preparation services like H&R Block, TurboTax, and TaxSlayer are not equipped to support nonresident tax filing.
Can OISS or ITO help me file my taxes?
No. OISS and ITO are not permitted to provide individual tax advice or assist with preparing tax returns. However, we can share general information and direct you to external tax preparation resources designed for international students and scholars.
Do I Need an SSN or ITIN to file taxes?
If you had no U.S. source income, you do NOT need a SSN or ITIN to file Form 8843.
If you had U.S. source income, you will need either a SSN or ITIN to file your return. If you are not eligible for an SSN, you may apply for an ITIN when you file your tax return.
What If I forgot to File for a previous tax year?
If you were required to file and did not do so, you should file the missing tax forms as soon as possible. Filing late is usually better than not filing at all and can help reduce or avoid penalties.
What if I misfiled as a resident alien by mistake?
If you filed incorrectly, you may need to submit an amended tax return to correct your tax residency status. Using specialized tax software for international students or consulting a qualified tax professional can help ensure the correction is made properly.
What happens if I don't file?
Failure to file required tax forms may result in penalties, interest, or future immigration-related complications. Even if you owe no tax, required forms must still be filed to remain compliant with U.S. tax laws. Don't panic though! OISS and ITO are here to help you to ensure you meet your obligations.
