Who will support The Tax FILING process?
The APS Tax Solutions App is a powerful tool allowing international students and alumni to easily file all the required tax documents as required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). By utilizing the application and our detail-oriented review process, students and alum can rest easy knowing their tax returns are clear and accurate.
WHO should file taxes?
If you are an F-1 student or F-2 dependent, you are required to file taxes each year, even if you have NOT worked in this tax year. You will file your taxes as a non-resident unless you have lived in the U.S. for any part of five calendar years. If you have lived in the U.S. for more than 5 years on an F-1 visa – contact BSC to figure out the Substantial Presence Test eligibility. DEADLINE FOR FILING TAXES IS APRIL 15 EACH YEAR.
HOw to sCHEDULE YOUR tax Session(S) with BSC?
1. SET UP A ONE-ON-ONE 1 hour SESSION (digital) with the BSC Tax Team —in JANUARY or FEBRUARY
This session will prepare you for HOW TO FILE your TAXES. Think of it as a tutorial session where the BSC staff will walk you through the app on your phone, answering questions and accepting your documents to prepare your tax return.
Schedule YOUR ONE-ON-ONE TUTORIAL SESSION HERE.
Make sure to have these documents ready: Document list.
2. DOWNLOAD THE APS Tax APP (to your smart phone):
Make sure your Apple Store configuration is set for the United States, otherwise the app will not appear in your Apple Store search. Also make sure that iTunes settings reflect that you are in the United States. Search for BSC TAX and download the APS TAX app.
3. We should add further instructions for the app after downloading such as setting up the app so
when they meet with us, they are all set up. I don’t know the app to add instructions.
Make sure you sign up with the APP using your Augsburg email address. This is a link to the APP.
WHAT DOCUMENTS do YOU need to have availABLE?
ALL OF YOU should have the following documents:
- Passport, Visa, and your current I-20 and I-94
- U.S. Entry and Exit Dates for current and all past visits to the U.S (between 2020 through 2023)
- Form 1098-T (look under Student Finances: Current Balance: Tax Forms – left hand side bar)
- Your VISA type: from 2016 through the current year
- Country of Residence Address
MOST OF YOU will have the following documents:
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (if you have been assigned one)
- Forms W-2 (these forms are issued by your EMPLOYER(S) and is the entity that pays you)
ONLY A FEW OF YOU will have these available:
- Forms 1099 (if you work as an independent contractor, these forms will be come from the companies that hired you for independent work)
- Form 1042-S (this form is for students who have full scholarships, like ELCA scholarships and other)
- Driver’s License (if applicable)
The ISSS Office provides free BSC Tax Prep and Filing to help F-1 students file taxes during the tax season. All students must file taxes, and there are different instructions based on if you have earned income, and if you did not earn any income. Also, the ISSS Office holds tutoring sessions to provide guidance on how to use the BSC Tax software during tax season. Please attend to the emails for the tutoring schedules.
When and where to file taxes?
Tax filing deadline is roughly around April 15 each year.
After completing filing your Federal Taxes, you should mail 1040NR-EZ form and 8843 form. BSC will tell you where to send this form.
To complete your Minnesota State Tax filling, you will need to complete State form M1 and a copy of your Federal forms (1040NR-EZ and 8843).
BSC will file ALL MN state taxes for students as a part of our partnership.
HOW MUCH CAN I EXPECT TO PAY?
Please view the table below showing tax rate percentage with the income amount per percentage for domestic tax payers (United States citizens and green-card holders). Keep in mind that as an INTERNATIONAL STUDENT other tax regulations may apply to you.
Your tax rate will also depend on your filing status (Single, Married filing jointly, Married filing separately, Head of household).
To avoid owing taxes at the end of the year, increasing your tax percentage from 10% to 15% is recommended. Changing your tax percentage can be done by filling out a new W-4 form. The HR Office at Augsburg can help you complete this task.
Additional questions, can be sent to isss@augsburg.edu.