Mandatory Tax Filings

Did you know that all students in F-1 status and their dependents must file an income tax form every year in order to be in compliance with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations?

• This is true regardless of whether they earned income (worked) while in the United States or not.

Additionally, all international employees (including student employees) working at CU Boulder, or individuals receiving a stipend or scholarship payment through the CU payroll system, must complete a Sprintax Calculus profile to document their U.S. tax residency status with the International Tax Office and should anticipate keeping in touch with the tax office throughout their CU career.   

To ensure accurate taxation, it is crucial for new employees at the University of Colorado Boulder to update their information and submit documentation to the CU International Tax Specialists promptly.

• New CU employees will receive an email notification within approximately 14 days of their employment start date from CUIntlTax-noreply@Sprintax.com inviting them to complete their Sprintax Calculus profile.   
• Pay close attention to your CU email, including spam folders, for this activation email and complete your profile as soon as possible.    

Students receiving a taxable scholarship or stipend through their Campus Bursar’s Office must also complete a Sprintax Calculus profile and will receive an activation email from CUIntlTax-noreply@Sprintax.com the first time a taxable scholarship is identified on their student account. These students will also receive direct email correspondence from the International Tax Office alerting them each time tax charges are applied to their student bursar account.

International Tax Office

The University of Colorado’s International Tax Office will help you understand your U.S. tax residency status and associated personal responsibilities as a U.S. taxpayer. The tax office provides access to resources and tools designed to help you fulfill your U.S. tax filing obligations.

• New Hire Orientation Course
• New Hire Guide International Employees
• International Tax Guide: Tax Information for International Scholarship and Fellowship (Stipend) Recipients
• International Tax Guide: Nonresident Alien (NRA) for U.S. Tax Purposes
• International Tax Guide: Resident Alien (RA) for U.S. Tax Purposes

Tax Filing Support

To assist students in F-1 status with U.S. tax filing obligations, University of Colorado’s International Tax Office provides a variety of helpful resources including tax preparation software to qualified CU Boulder students and scholars.

• Review the Tax Preparation Support document for further information.

Note: ISSS advisors are not International Tax Specialists and cannot assist with your tax questions. Contact the International Tax Office directly with questions.

"Resident" and "Non-Resident" Terminology

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) use the terms "resident" and "nonresident" differently. While an international student in F-1 status holds nonimmigrant/nonresident status in terms of immigration, they can in some instances be considered a resident for tax filing purposes.