We have teamed up with Sprintax to provide you with easy-to-use tax preparation software designed for non-resident students and scholars in the U.S. We (and all other university staff) are not qualified or allowed to provide individual tax advice.

After you login to Sprintax, it will ask you a series of questions about the time you have spent in the United States and in which immigration status, looking back over a period of years. Sprintax will then determine your tax status. If it determines that you are a "nonresident alien" (NRA) for federal tax purposes, you can continue to use it to respond to a series of guided questions. Sprintax will complete and generate the forms you need to print, sign, and mail to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) for Federal and State taxes only. If it determines you are a resident alien for federal tax purposes, you won't be able to continue using the software.

Sprintax software cannot produce Michigan City Tax forms. Therefore, please refer to the Government of Michigan website to obtain the documents you need. 

Did you receive a $1,200 stimulus check? If you did, the was an ERROR!

Listen to this NPR piece featuring Sprintax Vice President, Enda Kelleher which discusses the steps a nonresident should take if they received a stimulus check in error in 2020. 

The $1,200 stimulus checks were intended exclusively for US citizens and resident aliens. However, thousands of nonresidents, who were not entitled to the payment, were sent a check by mistake.  Nonresidents who received the check in error are typically required to file an amended tax return and send the payment back to the IRS.

Sprintax can help nonresidents who received the check in error to amend their previously filed tax returns easily online

Who must file tax forms for 2019 tax season?

If you were physically in the U.S. in F or J status anytime between January 1 - December 31, 2019 you're 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 2019 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).

Create a Sprintax Account

Enrolled International Students will receive an email from ISS providing you with a link to Sprintax to set up your account as well as your unique code to use on Sprintax. This unique code will cover the costs of the federal tax return and 8843 at no cost for the first 75 students. Open your new Sprintax account by creating a UserID and password or if you have an existing account on Sprintax you can log in using your existing credentials.

Please note- there are many "scams" about taxes, tax collecting, etc.  The IRS will NEVER contact you by telephone.  Details here. 

GVSU's ISS (International Student Services) and the school are NOT permitted to assist any student/scholar with any IRS tax form preparation or tax related questions. The information provided is intended for your benefit. Any questions or concerns should be directed to Sprintax, a certified tax preparer or a local IRS field office.

As mentioned above, Sprintax software will only produce Federal and State filing documents. Please visit the Michigan Department of Treasury website for more information on City filing requirements and forms.

If you need help while using Sprintax, please make use of the following:

• 24/7 Live Chat Help
• Refer to their FAQs
• Email at [email protected]
• Sprintax YouTube Videos