Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Workshop
Tax Workshops
The schedule of VITA workshops for the 2008 tax season will be available in February 2009.
Please bring the following documents and information to the tax workshops:
- Visa/Immigration Status (as indicated on Form I-94 - the white card in your passport)
- Form DS-2019, if J status individual
- Form I-20, if F status individual
- Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (if you have applied for such number, have your receipt or copy of application; if you have not applied, you will do so as a part of this process)
- Address Information (Current U.S. Address if you are still living in the U.S. and Permanent Foreign Address)
- U.S. Entry and Exit Dates and Information about All Prior Visits (Entry/Exit Dates and Immigration Status)
- Academic Institution or Host Sponsor Information
- Forms W-2, 1042-S and/or 1099 (if you received any)
- Scholarship or fellowship grant letters (if you received one from your academic institution or host sponsor)
- A copy of your 2006 federal income tax form (Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ) if you filed a federal income tax return last year
Access to CINTAX, non-resident tax software
Access to CINTAX is limited to current students and scholars and those who were present at UI during the 2007 tax year. Current students can access the software via their HawkID by clicking here. If you are a visiting scholar or a student who is not currently enrolled and cannot access CINTAX with your HawkID, send a message to oiss@uiowa.edu to request an access code. Please provide your name and birth date so we can verify your UI status.
A Warning About Other Tax Services
Some organizations may offer services to international students that are not in your best interest, and may even have serious consequences. Whether these services are offered free or for a charge, please be aware of the following:
If you are classified as a Non-Resident, you may NOT file a Resident return. Residence, for tax purposes, is determined by the Substantial Presence Test, which considers whether you were present in the U.S. for the majority of the last five calendar years.
Some organizations may tell you that you can choose, often because they do not in fact know how to complete Non-Resident returns, so they would like to file a Resident return for you. It is not a matter of choice!
Only people who are determined to have "Resident" Filing Status may complete a Resident Return. Most students and scholars will be classified as Non-Residents. Some free tax assistance sites have erroneously filed Resident returns for Non-Residents, who were promised larger refunds by this method.
This could result in a charge of tax fraud against you, which may jeopardize your legal status. The fact that your preparer erred will not excuse you from liability. Please protect yourself!
Common Questions About the VITA workshop
Who can get tax help at our VITA workshops?
Students and scholars in F and J status who are considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes (defined below).
What forms can I get help with at the VITA workshops?
Once we help you complete your federal return using the Cintax software the peer volunteers will help you complete your Iowa state return as well. We do not assist with dual state forms (where you earned money in another state).
What should I bring with me to the VITA workshop?
You should bring any information regarding income earned the previous year. This would include: W-2 forms, the prior year state (Form 1099-G) or federal tax refund notice, 1042S forms, passport, I-20, last year 1040NR(EZ), Bank ABA and account number (can be found in your check).
Does the whole family need to come to the workshop when the return is prepared?
No, only the student or scholar who earned the income needs to come to the workshop.