Frequently Asked Questions

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  Where can I get help to file my taxes?
  • Attend our tax workshops.
  • Centro Hispano's Taxpayer Clinic— They welcome all international students.
  • Sprintax —https://www.sprintax.com/
    
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  Who can we help? Who can use our software?

  F & J Students

  • A student who has been in the U.S. for 5 years or less on a student visa.
    
    • Note: If the student’s 5th year was the tax year (2023), he/she will need to apply the substantial presence test to determine residency status.
  • One day in the country counts as that entire year.
  • The years do not need to be consecutive (i.e. before mission and after).
  • Even if the student held an F-1 or J-2 dependent (student) visa, the years on these visas can be counted.

  J Scholars

  • A faculty, researcher, scholar, etc., who has been in the U.S. for 2 years or less.
    
    • Note: If the scholar’s 2^nd year was the tax year (2023), he/she will need to apply the substantial presence test to determine residency status..
  • One day in the country counts as that entire year.
  • The years do not need to be consecutive (i.e. before mission and after).
  • Even if the student held a J-2 dependent (scholar) visa, the years on these visas can be counted.

  None of the above?

  If you have been in the U.S. for 6 years or more on a student visa (F or J visa) or 3 years or more on a scholar visa (J visa), you are considered a resident for tax purposes if you meet the substantial presence test.
  

  • Note: Only count up to the tax year—2023.

  If you married a U.S. citizen or resident during the tax year (2023) or any prior year, you may file with your U.S. citizen/resident spouse as a resident if you file jointly if you meet the substantial presence test.

  If you are not sure if you are resident or nonresident, please take the survey found by clicking the

  General Information

  tab.

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  Who can help you file a resident tax form?

  If you are considered a resident for tax purposes and you did not receive Form 1042-S. You may schedule an appointment with the Marriott School VITA lab at vita.byu.edu. If you are a resident for tax purposes and received Form 1042-S, you may visit the following websites that accept Form 1042-S (Note: these websites require payment):
  

  • https://www.olt.com

  • https://www.1040.com

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  What if I did NOT work, pay the $4,000 deposit, receive a scholarship or any type of compensation during 2023?

  You are still legally obliged to file Form 8843, but we will not help with that form until after April 5, 2024. You are welcome to file this form yourself and reference these courtesy templates provided by our office.
  

  • F & J Students Form 8843 Template
  • J Scholars Form 8843 Template

  The deadline for this form to be filed is June 15, 2024.

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  Stimulus Information - What if I received a stimulus check?

  Nonresidents do not qualify to receive the stimulus payment.

  If you received the payment as a paper check and cashed it, or if you received the payment as a direct deposit:

  • Submit a personal check, money order, etc., immediately to the appropriate IRS location. You may find the location here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payment-information-center-topic-i-returning-the-economic-impact-payment
  • Write on the check/money order made payable to ‘U.S. Treasury’ and write ‘2020EIP’, and your taxpayer identification number (social security number, or individual taxpayer identification number).
  • Include a brief explanation of the reason for returning the payment.
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  What if I am outside of the U.S. and need tax help?

  Unfortunately, we will not be scheduling one-on-one appointments this year. Please view the slides first on the "how to self-file" tab, and if you have any further questions, the following other options are still available for filing your taxes:

  • Sprintax —self-filing website for nonresidents. Use code BYU500F23 to file Federal forms for free. Note: Filing for state tax forms requires a payment if using Sprintax, but you may file Utah state tax forms for free by going here: https://incometax.utah.gov/
  • Centro Hispano—set up an appointment to receive help filing your nonresident tax forms by calling 801-655-0258