Work as an international student

The tax filing deadline for 2024 depends on your tax filing requirements. 

If you earned income during the 2023 tax year, and are required to file a

 Form 1040-NR, then your filing deadline is: April 15, 2024

If you did not earn income during the 2023 tax year and you are only required to file a Form 8843, then your filing deadline is: June 15, 2024

GLACIER Tax Prep

The OIA has licensed GLACIER Tax Prep to help international students and scholars prepare their federal income tax forms and comply with federal tax reporting requirements. 

Before you access GLACIER Tax Prep to begin the process of filing your taxes, make sure you have all your required documents. If you were employed in 2023 and received income, your employer may send you one or more of the following forms: Form W-2, Form 1042-S, or Form 1099. If you have any questions about which of these forms you have or will receive, please contact the organization that paid you to confirm that you have all the forms you need to complete your US income tax filing. 

Access to GLACIER

UM-Dearborn international students and scholars can create a free account to access GLACIER by following this link. Please note, the page is shared by the UM-Dearborn OIA and the Ann Arbor International Center. Follow instructions on the page to create your free GLACIER account. You will be assigned a temporary access code which you will use to create your GLACIER account. Please note, you must use your UM-Dearborn credentials (uniqname and password) to authenticate your account.

Questions

If you have questions while using GLACIER TAX PREP, you may select "More Info" at the top right of any screen. All screens also have a link to HELP. The HELP link will show you FAQs and the schedule for virtual Q&A Sessions with a tax professional. The HELP screen also allows you to send a question to the GLACIER Tax Prep Support Center. The Support Center will send a response to the email address in your GLACIER Tax Prep account. Please use GLACIER help resources to assist you in filing your taxes. We regret that OIA staff will not be able to help you use this software and cannot answer questions about taxes.

The OIA has prepared a video introduction to tax requirements for international students and scholars: "Tax Time!" The presentation from the video is also available online, enabling access to the links shared within. 

OIA Tax Time Video 

OIA Tax Time Presentation 

Please note that the "Tax Time" presentation and video have been prepared by OIA staff and are intended only as an informational resource providing basic, introductory details about tax reporting requirements and processes. Students and scholars are strongly encouraged to attend the tax workshops and to consult a qualified tax professional regarding specific questions. 

We hope that the following links will be helpful as you prepare your tax requirements: 

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 
  • The IRS provides information regarding federal tax reporting requirements 
• Federal Forms
  • 1040-NR 
    • If you received income during the tax year, you may be required to submit Form 1040-NR
  • Form 8843
    • All international students and scholars on F-1 or J-1 visas, regardless of income, are required to file a Form 8843
• State of Michigan Department of Treasury 
  • The Department of treasury provides information online regarding state of Michigan tax reporting requirements 
  • The Department of Treasury has also made additional resources available to students which the OIA is sharing via this DropBox Folder
• State Forms 
  • State of Michigan Tax Forms are available at the Michigan Taxes Page 
• IRS Outreach Connections for Individuals 
  • This page, from the IRS, provides news, articles, advice, and additional resources

The OIA is once again collaborating this year with Global Detroit, the UM Ann Arbor International Center, and the Michigan Department of Treasury to host tax information workshops for international students. 

The workshops will be hosted virtually, over Zoom, and there will be three opportunities to attend:

Global Detroit Workshop: (Sponsored by Global Detroit)

• Two workshops sponsored by Global Detroit took place on Friday, March 1st, and Monday, March 11th. A copy of the presentation and a recording of the workshop are now available online: 
• Tax Workshop Recording 

Michigan Department of Treasury Webinars: 

• The Michigan Department of Treasury Webinars took place on March 12 & 13. The Tax Workshop Presentation is now available online.

Learn more about Curricular Practical Training (CPT), including alternate work/study, internships, and cooperative education. CPT approvals are dependent upon students' ability to satisfy academic policies regarding internship/co-op for credit which vary by College.

Find support for career and internships at the Office of International Affairs and across campus. See OPT.

If you suffer economic hardship due to unforeseen financial circumstances beyond your control, you may apply to the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) for authorization to work off-campus part- or full-time. On-campus employment, however, cannot exceed 20 hours/week while school is in session. 

Examples of unforeseen financial circumstances include:

• Unexpected changes in the financial condition of your source of support
• Medical bills
• Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on your part 
• Substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate
• Inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs
• Other substantial and unexpected expenses

The request must be submitted to the OIA along with the required documentation listed below. Be aware that it may take more than 3 months to be issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Eligibility criteria and requirements

• One academic year in F-1 status
• Employment will not interfere with full course of study
• Available only before completion of study
• Work does not have to be related to field of study

Documentation required

• SEVIS I-20
• Form I-765 and fee
• 2 passport-style photos
• Supporting documentation
• Additional information and application packet (PDF format)

Academic training is employment in the field of your academic program in the U.S. The maximum length of time allowed for both pre- and post-completion academic training authorization is either 18 months, or the number of months you are a full-time student, whichever is shorter. If employment is required in order for you to graduate, you are eligible for 36 months of academic training. Part-time academic training counts the same as full-time toward your maximum allowance.

You are eligible for academic training authorization:

U.S. income tax is collected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS has a special set of rules (and special tax forms and publications) for most international students and exchange visitors in the U.S. A copy of these regulations are listed in IRS publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens.

As an F-1 student or J-1 scholar, you are required to file a federal income tax return.

• If you earned no U.S. income, file Form 8843.
• If you earned any U.S. income, file Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR-EZ. You must also complete Form 8843 and mail it with your 1040.

Please seek professional guidance from a qualified accountant or attorney in order to understand and meet specific tax obligations.

Visit the Social Security Administration’s site (SSA) to learn how to:

• Obtain your Social Security Card
• Browse frequently asked questions
• Find your local Social Security office

The OIA partnered with Fakhoury Global Immigration to present an H-1B Information Session. 

To accompany the session recording, here is the H-1B Information Session slide presentation.