OISS covers the cost of your federal income tax return if you file using Sprintax Returns. You must access Sprintax Returns via the links on our website (see below) to use this discount and for it to be automatically applied at the checkout. Yale offers a limited number of Sprintax Returns codes for each tax year. Please file as early as possible. Although we usually have enough codes for all our students and scholars, we cannot guarantee a Sprintax Returns discount code, especially after the April tax deadline.
You can use Sprintax Returns to prepare your state taxes (if applicable) for an additional fee. Please see step 6 below for more information.
Sprintax Returns Access
First, please read the steps on this page to learn how to file your return(s). If you have a valid NetID, click the first link, and the discount code will be automatically applied at the checkout. If you do not have a NetID, click the second link, and you will receive an access code to use the discount yourself at the checkout.
Sprintax Webinars - Open to All
You are invited to attend a Sprintax Tax Workshop to learn more. Click on a date or title below to find out more and register.
How to File
If you have a valid NetID, click the first link, and the discount code will be automatically applied at the checkout. If you do not have a NetID, click the second link, and you will receive an access code to use the discount yourself at the checkout:
You can open your new Sprintax Returns account by creating a user ID and password, or if you have an existing account on Sprintax Returns, you can log in using your existing credentials.
Continue to follow the Sprintax Returns instructions. The following steps refer to the steps you will go through when filling out your tax return on the Sprintax website.
We have included videos that may help you complete your tax return as efficiently as possible. These videos are also available in the following languages:
Need Help?
If you have questions about filling out your tax return, you can contact the Sprintax support team or find your answer using the options below:
After logging in to Sprintax Returns, you will be asked a series of questions about your time in the U.S. in recent years. Sprintax Returns will then determine your tax status. If it determines that you are a “nonresident” (NRA) for federal tax purposes, you can continue to use the software and prepare your nonresident tax return.
However, if Sprintax Returns determines that you are a resident for federal tax purposes, you will not be able to use the software. In that case, please see our page for resident taxpayers.
Answer the personal- and immigration-related questions in Sprintax.
Add the income documents you've received and answer the tax-related questions.
Answer questions about certain payments you've made in the past year, as they may reduce the amount of income that you owe taxes on.
Add details about Yale and your program director from your DS-2019 or I-20.
Determine if you need to fill out a state income tax return by listing any U.S. states you've lived in, as well as time you've spent outside the U.S. Sprintax Returns will inform you if you need to complete a state tax return. If so, you will have the option to use Sprintax Returns for an additional fee. However, it is your choice to use them or to do the state tax return on your own. Instructions and resources may be found here.
Summary
Review all the information you've entered to confirm that it is accurate. Afterwards, Sprintax Returns will generate all your tax return documents:
- a completed Form 8843 for you (and each of your dependents)
- a federal tax return, Form 1040NR
Federal Tax
Many filers may be able to e-file their federal tax documents through Sprintax Returns. In order to do so, you must verify your identity by providing information from last years' tax return (or enter 0) and creating or entering a PIN number to use as an electronic signature.
State Tax
E-filing does not apply to state income tax returns. If you have a state filing requirement, you must print and mail this to the relevant tax authorities of that state. Learn more about this here.
If you do not want to e-file or you are not eligible, you will be required to download, print and sign your federal tax return and mail it to the IRS. If you have a state filing requirement, you must also mail this to the relevant tax authorities of that state. Learn more about this here.
Post-Filing Support
Sprintax Returns will offer to provide post-filing support for an additional fee. This is not required, and you can bypass it by clicking the 'I would like to handle all post-filing communication with the IRS myself at no additional cost' box, then clicking the Next button. Please note that OISS does not provide this post-filing support for individuals, so you must determine if you want to skip this post-filing support for yourself.
Sprintax Forms
Sprintax will offer to help you with pre-employment paperwork for an additional fee. This fee is not required, and you can bypass it by clicking the 'Proceed without Sprintax Forms' link (under the red button), then clicking the Next button. The Yale International Tax Office should be able to assist you with preparing your pre-employment paperwork correctly, however you must determine for yourself if you want to obtain Sprintax's support.
If you have used OISS's link to access Sprintax Returns, you should now be presented with your total amount owed, with the Federal Return fee deducted automatically. If this fee has not been deducted automatically, please contact alina.nevins@yale.edu before completing this step so we can address this for you.
Sprintax Resources for Your Questions or Concerns
If you need help while using Sprintax, you can contact their support team or find your answer using the options below:
