IS

Social Security Card

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique 9-digit U.S. government- issued number used for taxpayer identification, income reporting and record-keeping purposes.

Social Security Numbers are only issued to those eligible to work after they have a written job offer from a potential employer and a recommending letter from International Services.

Tax Information

• Filing Tax Forms
  
  •  Non-residents for Tax Purposes—You are likely a non-resident for tax purposes. (This is so if you do not meet the "Substantial Presence Test" described in the form directions which basically refers to how long you have been in the U.S.—up to five years.)
  • If you earned no income last year, file Form 8843.
  • If you earned income, file
    • Form 8843 and
    • Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ (NR stands for non-resident)
  • Residents for Tax Purposes—You are a resident for tax purposes if meet the "Substantial Presence Test" described in the form directions. Basically it refers as to how long you have been in the U.S.—more than five years.
    • If you earned no income last year, you do not need to file tax forms.
    • If you earned income, file Form 1040 or 1040-EZ (not the 1040NR).
  • Federal Tax Forms—(These are keyboard fillable forms)
    • Form 1040NR Instructions
    • Form 1040NR
    • Form 1040NR-EZ Instructions
    • Form 1040NR-EZ
    • Form 8843
    • Form W-7 (with instructions)
    • Form 843 Instructions
    • Form 843
    • Form 8316
    • Form 1040X Instructions
    • Form 1040X
    • Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File Individual Tax Return
    • Tax Guide for Aliens (Publication 519)
    • US Tax Treaties (Publication 901)

• Resources

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publication #515: "Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities"
• General Information
• Call 1-800-829-1040 and ask for the tax department dealing with nonresident aliens.
• BYU VITA tax lab
• NAFSA tax information Web site
• International Services' annual February income tax workshop in conjunction with VITA—students who are trained by IRS on how to complete income tax forms for aliens
• Consult an accountant if you so desire