GCC ISO provides access to Sprintax to help you navigate the challenges and complexities of tax preparation. Sprintax Non-Resident Tax Preparation is software designed specifically for international students in the U.S. on F, J, M and Q visas, to make tax preparation easy and to ensure you are fully compliant with the IRS tax rules.

We encourage all international students to take advantage of Sprintax to prepare their taxes. Please note that each person is unique and Sprintax may not be suitable for a small number of our international students who have been in the United States for longer than 5 years. All international students should log-on to Sprintax to determine eligibility.  

Eligible international students and scholars may use our discount code to receive $5 off the regular federal filing fee. See instructions in the section below.

Using Sprintax is easy! For a general overview of how to use Sprintax, please click here or watch this video.

First, you must create an account (if you are a new user), or log into your existing Sprintax account at https://www.sprintax.com/glendale. If you are having trouble, please contact Sprintax directly for assistance. ISO staff cannot help with this process. 

Once you have logged-on to Sprintax the software will ask you questions to customize your experience, and to help accurately populate the documents that may be produced for you.  It will also determine if you are eligible to use Sprintax to prepare your taxes, or if you need to use a different type of software (for those considered “residents-for-tax-purposes”).

Please note that you may also prepare Tax Form 8843 on your own - using Sprintax is not required if you wish to do it on your own. You will find a link to the IRS page in the helpful links section below. 

All GCC international students may access Sprintax for the following:

• Determine your “residency for tax purposes”
• Non-resident federal tax preparation
• Built-in knowledge of over 350 different types of tax deductions
• 65 international tax treaty agreements and exemptions covered
• Maximum legal tax refunds for federal, state & medicare (*Please see note regarding state taxes below).
• US tax compliance guaranteed

Students who earned income in 2023: You may use our discount code to receive $5 off your federal tax filing. 

Students who did NOT earn income in 2023: If you did not earn income in 2023, you only need to file Form 8843. Please note that you may also prepare Tax Form 8843 on your own - using Sprintax is not required if you wish to do it on your own. You will find a link to the IRS page in the helpful links section below. 

State Tax Preparation: Sprintax can also conduct non-resident state tax preparation, for an additional fee. The majority of GCC international students will not have to file state taxes.  Please use Sprintax to determine your State Tax Filing responsibility.

ITIN Application Information: For students who are not eligible for a Social Security Number Sprintax can help prepare the ITIN application, for an additional fee.

GCC ISO provides access to Sprintax Non-Resident Federal Tax Preparation and Form 8843 for current students and for students who completed their program in 2023 and are currently on OPT. To request your discount code to receive $5 off the federal filing cost, please complete our Discount Request Form no later than Sunday, April 7, 2024. No codes will be issued for requests submitted after this date.

If you did not earn income in 2023, you only need to file the Form 8843 by accessing Sprintax. You may also choose to prepare Tax Form 8843 on your own (without using Sprintax). You will find a link to the IRS page in the helpful links section below. 

Please note that the discount code does not apply to filing state taxes. If you are directed to prepare state taxes, you may choose to pay Sprintax to prepare your state taxes at an additional cost.

Sprintax provides extensive, easy to access support* in the following ways:

• Live Chat - note that you must use "Stacy," the automated virtual agent first. If your question is unable to be answered by "Stacy", you will be able to connect with a live representative.
• Toll-Free Phone Number Phone Support
• FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions page, addressing Sprintax questions, as well as general tax questions)
• Sprintax Blog (searchable by keyword)

*Please understand that it is far easier to contact Sprintax in the early part of tax season, when fewer people may be doing the same.  The closer to Tax Day, the more busy their Live Chat and telephone lines. You must use the automated system first - if the automated system does not contain your answer, you can connect with a live customer service representative. We recommend preparing your taxes as soon as you are able.

This list covers the most commonly needed documents. It does not cover all possible required documents. Additional documents may be needed based on your situation.

• Passport
• US Entry and Exit Dates for current and all past visits to the US
• All tax forms (if you received any), including Forms W-2, 1042-S and/or 1099
  • Note: if you are a student worker at GCC, you may contact the Student Employment Services office for any questions about the issuance of your W-2. 
• Visa/Immigration Status information, including Form DS-2019 (for J visa holders) or Form I-20 (for F visa holders)
• Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
• If you do not have an ITIN, Sprintax can help you get one!
• If you are using Sprintax for State Tax Returns(s) preparation only, you will need a copy of your already-prepared Federal Tax Return (for the current and previous years, if you filed any)
• Please note that you do not need Form 1098-T, unless you received a scholarship that provided more money than your tuition costs. This is called a taxable scholarship. If you believe you qualify for one, and do not receive your form by the end of February, you may direct any questions to the Tuition Office. ISO has no part in this process and cannot tell you if you should have been issued a form or not. 

If Sprintax determines that you are to be classified as a “resident-for-tax-purposes”, and therefore ineligible to use Sprintax, you may consider the following options:

• Use the same tax preparation software that U.S. citizens or permanent residents use (Click here for a comparison of major vendors.)
• Access free assistance through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).
• Visit a local tax preparation office. (Click here for descriptions of these type of services).

Please note: Only use the options in this section if Sprintax determines that you are a “resident-for-tax-purposes.” Using the options listed in this section as a non-resident may not take your international student status into account, and may incorrectly calculate your tax liability.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – International Tax Payer Page

The Internal Revenue Services (IRS) Tax Form 8843 page 

Sprintax Non-Resident Tax Preparation Software (for all students)

Sprintax Frequently Asked Questions – International Student Taxes

California State Taxes – Filing Information

Please remember, ISO staff cannot answer ANY tax preparation questions. Please attend a Sprintax webinar (remember, recordings are sent if you register but can't attend!) and contact Sprintax and/or a tax professional with any questions.