Income Tax Information

The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) encourages all students and scholars to file taxes in compliance with federal and state tax regulations. Many international students and scholars are entitled to a tax refund.

OISS staff members are unable to give individual tax advice. Please plan to attend a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) workshop.

Please note that all nonresidents are required to complete form 8843, including international students and scholars who had no income during the 2009 tax year. Additionally, form 8843 must be completed for every family member in F or J status. This form does not require a social security number or ITIN.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Workshops

OISS sponsors Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) workshops for UI international students and scholars. Workshop volunteers are certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to assist international students and scholars in preparing nonresident tax returns. For questions about VITA workshops, please send an email to ip-vita@uiowa.edu.

The VITA workshop schedule for the 2009 tax year will be available in January 2010.

CINTAX (Nonresident Tax Software)

CINTAX is a web-based tax return preparation software designed to assist international students and scholars in preparing U.S. federal income tax forms 1040NR and 1040NR-EZ. Free access to CINTAX will be provided to current nonimmigrant students and scholars and those who were present at the University of Iowa during the 2009 tax year. For questions about accessing CINTAX, please send an email to ip-vita@uiowa.edu.

Access to CINTAX for the 2009 tax year will be available in February 2010.

More Resources

VITA for residents (sponsored by UI College of Business)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
State of Iowa Department of Revenue
Tax Information for Employers of Students