The tax year runs from January 1 through December 31st. Non-immigrant visitors are required to file a US Federal Tax Return, even if you didn’t have taxable income during the tax year. You may owe taxes, you may be eligible for a refund, or you may simply be documenting your days of presence to the IRS. This depends on how much taxable income you had, how much tax you already paid, and whether you are able to claim benefits of a tax treaty between your home country and the US.

The OISA provides access to a comprehensive online resource for completing your U.S. taxes. The Foreign National Tax Resource (FNTR) is available to all non-resident taxpayers (students, staff & faculty) at Grinnell College.  FNTR is a web-based system designed exclusively to help international students and scholars prepare U.S. Federal Income Tax Forms: 8843 and 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ. The system provides easy-to-use federal tax preparation software, along with an extensive searchable content to help you understand your tax obligations.

After the OISA activates your access to FNTR, it is YOUR responsibility to:

  1. Read the User Tips from the OISA, and the instructions that FNTR provides;
  2. Log in to FNTR and follow the prompts to complete your Tax Return;
  3. Print the completed Tax Return and make a copy for your permanent records;
  4. Attach documentation (W-2, 1042S) and mail the completed Tax Return to the IRS, postmarked on or before April 18.

If you need help you may email your questions directly to FNTR, as advised in the user tips we send out.

**Wondering where your Tax Return is?**  If it has been over two months and your return has still has not be processed, you are free to call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.