Income Tax Assistance for Foreign Students and Scholars*
(Provided by Realities Focus Inc. volunteer tax preparers)
VITA services for foreign students and scholars are separate from CSU’s VITA program and are by appointment only.
Before you call for an appointment be sure that you have all the necessary tax and identification documents available in paper or in PDF form:
- W-2’s – see instructions below for how to access
- Form 1042S (Foreign Persons US Source Income) – see instructions below for how to access this form
- Form 1098-T (Tuition Statement) – see instructions below for how to access this form
- Any other tax documents received such as bank interest or broker documents
- Passport
- Visa
- Social Security card, and
- Driver’s license or state ID card, if you have one
- Note that we cannot prepare returns if you sold, exchanged or disposed of digital assets (Cryptocurrency)
The phone number to call for foreign student information is 970-217-6224. This is a volunteer number set up to receive voicemail messages. Please leave your name and mobile phone number and we will call you back within 2 business days to discuss your tax filing status and send you the forms that you will need to complete prior to our preparing your return.
Your return may be prepared remotely if the preparation time is expected to be lengthy. We’ll make this decision after speaking with you. During remote preparation we call you if we have questions or need clarification. You will receive a call when your return is ready for your review and we’ll make an appointment for you to review, approve and sign the return so that it can be filed. Returns claiming treaty benefits must be filed in paper and mailed. Other returns will be e-filed.
Less complex returns may be prepared on site. We’ll make the complexity determination after speaking with you.
To access CSU Form W2:
Go to hr.colostate.edu using the “Employees” drop down; select “Employee Self-Service and NetID help”; scroll down to where you can connect through Global Protect VPN and access your W-2
This is what is on the CSU site: Employee Self-Service and NetID Help | Human Resources | Colorado State University
To access CSU Form 1098-T:
Go to RAMweb.colostate.edu
Login to RAMweb
Select “Billing & Tax Info”
Select “Tax Information” and you can access your 1098-T
Or for an explanation and links to show how to access your 1098-T go to Education Tax Credits & 1098-T | Office of Financial Aid | Colorado State University
To access your Form 1042-S:
CSU is currently transitioning to a new nonresident alien tax compliance system and all Forms 1042-S will be delivered to students by regular mail this year. The deadline for Forms 1042-S distribution is March 15th; however, CSU will make every effort to distribute them by January 31st to coincide with the W-2 issuance.
*This information is provided for Student /Scholar VISA holders who are interested in having their tax returns prepared through the IRS VITA program.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $60,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation to qualified individuals.