Frequently Asked Questions

I did not arrive until Jan 2022. Do I have to file anything now?

No, you were not in the U.S. during the tax reporting year.

I still haven’t received my W-2 form in mail, I just printed a copy from Bearweb. Is that okay?

The Payroll Office does not mail the W-2 forms, you will need to print it off from Bearweb, where there is a printable view; or pick up a copy from the Payroll Office.

What is Taxable Income?

Some kinds of income are taxed while others are not. Generally, income from foreign sources is not taxed. Salary from a job in the U.S. is taxed. Other types of income are taxable. Some examples of income include:

Wages that appear on form W-2 are taxable.
Scholarship or fellowship income that requires services (i.e., teaching assistant, athletic scholarships) will be treated as wages, like employment.
Scholarships, fellowships, and grants may be partially taxed.
Money used for other expenses, like room, board, and travel, are taxable.

I received a scholarship, but I did not receive a 1042-S form. Should I have received one?

There are two kinds of scholarships:

1. Form 1098 is issued for scholarships that were applied to your Baylor account to pay for tuition only. This scholarship is not taxable and you do not need to report this form; it is only for your information.

2. The second type of scholarship is for graduate students who worked for the department that paid them a stipend (and if they claimed tax treaty benefits), OR athletes who received a Baylor scholarship. These students will receive Form 1042-S, which needs to be reported on their tax return.

Do I need a 1042-S form?

If you were issued one you would have received it by the time you received the Sprintax email.

Do I need a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)?

Yes, if you were employed or paid by Baylor, you will need a Social Security Number. If you did not work but received scholarships from Baylor you may need an ITIN to file your taxes.

What is an ITIN? An ITIN is an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the IRS. You would only need this if you do not have and do not qualify for a Social Security Number, and you received a scholarship/fellowship in the U.S. Baylor's tax software, Sprintax, will help determine if you need an ITIN and generate the paperwork. Sprintax will assist students to apply for an ITIN for a nominal fee of approximately $16. For more information please email Grace_Semple-Paul@baylor.edu

I only have a SSN. Do I need an ITIN?

You will have one or the other, not both. Always use the SSN if you have one. If you have submitted tax forms previously using an ITIN but now you have a Social Security Card, you should use the Social Security Card.

I will receive a tax refund. Should I select to receive it by check or enter my bank account information?

Many people choose to receive your refund by entering bank account information rather than have a check mailed to them. Checks can be lost or not delivered if you move during the summer.

How do I assemble all of the forms that must be mailed?

If Sprintax does not give you the option to e-file, physically mail your forms to the address indicated by Sprintax depending on whether you are getting a refund or whether you have to pay the IRS.

The documents you need are listed below.

Form 1040NR-EZ (tax return)
Staple a copy of all tax forms you received to front left side of the 1040NR-EZ Tax Return Form: W-2 (copy B) and/or the 1042-S (copy C). Be sure Form 1040NR-EZ is signed and dated
Form 8843 (do not sign)
Substantial Presence Test (you will get this through Sprintax)
Tax Treaty information (you will get this through Sprintax if you qualify)

**Disclaimer**
This information is intended only for international students and scholars who are non-resident alien taxpayers with income sources and level typical of students and scholars at Baylor University. Although the information contained in this site has been reviewed carefully and should be adequate to assist most international students and scholars, it is not a substitute for advice obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a qualified tax accountant. If your visa status has changed in the past year, or you believe you have a complicated tax issue, please consult the IRS or a qualified tax accountant.