Tax Workshops for 2012 are now closed.

ISSS sponsors Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) workshops for UI international students and scholars. Workshop volunteers are certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [1] to assist international students and scholars in preparing non-resident tax returns. Volunteers can also answer questions about Iowa State tax returns [2] and Form 8843 [3].

VITA workshops are open to current nonimmigrant international students and scholars and those who were present at the University of Iowa during the 2011 tax year.

For questions about VITA workshops, please send an email to ip-vita@uiowa.edu [4].

VITA Workshop Checklist

Please bring the following items and information to the workshop:

• Passport, visa, and I-94 card
• 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 2010 federal income tax form (Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ) if you filed a federal income tax return last year

A Warning About Other Tax Services

If you are classified as a non-resident, you may NOT file a resident return. Residency, for tax purposes, is determined by the “Substantial Presence Test.”

Only those who are determined to have "resident" filing status may complete a resident return. Most students and scholars will be classified as non-residents for tax purposes. 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!