Published: Feb. 8, 2022

As the new year begins, CU faculty, staff and students will begin receiving critical documents needed to file their annual income tax returns. For certain international employees and students, this means receiving Forms W-2 and/or 1042-S from CU over the next month.

  • Form W-2 is issued to any employee who receives taxable wages from CU.
  • Form 1042-S is issued to resident and nonresident alien employees and students to report their tax treaty exempt wages. Nonresident alien scholarship and stipend recipients with taxable or tax treaty exempt income of this type will also receive form 1042-S. Employees and students with more than one type of 1042-S reportable income should expect to receive more than one 1042-S.

Recipients should use these form(s) when preparing their personal income tax return forms.

This year, CU is partnering with Sprintax to support nonresident alien employees and students in their personal tax filing obligation. The International Tax Office will offer a limited number of free software licenses to Sprintax’s online tax preparation tool for federal tax filing to eligible nonresident alien employees and students in F or J status.  Sprintax can also help with state tax filing, however, if you elect to file a state tax return using Sprintax, you’ll need to pay an additional fee.

This software is a user-friendly resource to help international employees:

  • Determine resident or nonresident U.S. tax residency status and filing requirements.
  • Prepare necessary tax return documents including forms 1040-NR and 8843 which can then be printed, signed and mailed for filing. (Some users may be able to file electronically, instead.)
  • Ensure all applicable tax treaties are applied.
  • Find assistance and information with an available FAQ, blog, YouTube channel and email access to Sprintax tax professionals.

To take advantage of this resource, watch for emails from the International Tax Office in February and March announcing that free licenses are available or check the International Tax Office website where we will post an update as soon as licenses are  available. Request yours as soon as you’re able — they will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you aren’t able to secure one of the free licenses, you can still use Sprintax to complete your returns for a fee.  Visit the International Tax website to learn more about your filing obligations and Sprintax features. 

Finally, Sprintax will be hosting regular open tax webinars throughout the spring where you can learn more about your U.S. tax filing obligations and how Sprintax can help you meet them.

Sprintax Open Webinar Dates, Times

  • Tuesday, Feb. 8 at noon MST
  • Thursday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. MST
  • Tuesday, March 1 at noon MST
  • Monday, March 14 at 1 p.m. MST
  • Tuesday, March 22 at noon MST
  • Thursday, March 31 at 10 a.m. EST
  • Tuesday, April 5 at 11 a.m. MST
  • Monday, April 11 at 10 a.m. MST
  • Thursday, April 14 at 11 a.m. MST
  • Friday, April 15 at 10 a.m. MST

note: all registration links have been removed